Until recently, fish that eat coral — corallivores — were thought to weaken reef structures, while fish that consume algae anddetritus— grazers — were thought to keep reefs healthy. But scientists have discovered that feces from grazers leave large lesions on coral, possibly because they contain coral pathogens. By contrast, feces from corallivores may provide a source of beneficial microbes that help coral thrive.
Coral reefs worldwide are struggling to survive amid growing environmental pressures. Developing medicines gives scientists tools to save sick corals and can help preserve threatened ecosystems.
