澳大利亚科科斯（基林）群岛外礁测得长1.56公里玫瑰珊瑚群落：平均宽36.5米、面积56,940平方米，为已知最大珊瑚群落之一
澳大利亚消息—研究人员在科科斯（基林）群岛外礁的礁坡上确认了一个绵延1.5公里以上的巨大珊瑚群落，为迄今有记录的最大珊瑚群落之一。相关测绘结果由参与研究的昆士兰博物馆于11月8日对外发布。
据昆士兰博物馆供稿，这个玫瑰珊瑚（Pachyseris）群落长1.56公里，约相当于100辆公交车首尾相接，分布于水深14至65米的外礁礁坡。群落平均宽度为36.5米，覆盖面积56,940平方米，主体之外另有区段再向外延伸200至300米。
供稿称，当地潜水业者 Dieter Gerhard 在30多年前已注意到大片此类珊瑚，直到研究人员开始测绘礁区，才意识到其规模之大、各区段可能相连为一个巨大群落。牵头研究者、阿德莱德大学的 JP Hobbs 博士与昆士兰博物馆、詹姆斯·库克大学的研究人员合作，花费数月测绘该珊瑚；由于单次潜水气量不足以抵达群落尽头，他以全球定位系统逐段标记进度，前后共潜水12次才完成全长测绘。
研究团队接下来将通过基因检测，查明这一群落究竟是一个巨大的珊瑚有机体，还是多个群落经年融合而成。昆士兰博物馆表示，馆内科学家是该研究团队成员，这一发现为认识澳大利亚偏远海域独特的珊瑚群落提供了新材料。
Rose Coral Colony Mapped at 1.56 Kilometers Along Outer Reef of Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 36.5 Meters Average Width and 56,940 Square Meters, Among the Largest K
Researchers have identified a huge coral colony stretching more than 1.5 kilometers along the outer reef of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, making it one of the largest known coral colonies ever recorded, according to a November 8 release from the Queensland Museum, whose scientists are part of the research team.
The rose coral (Pachyseris) colony extends 1.56 kilometers in length, the equivalent of approximately 100 buses parked end to end, and occupies the outer reef slope between depths of 14 and 65 meters. It measures an average width of 36.5 meters, covering an area of 56,940 square meters, with additional sections extending a further 200 to 300 meters beyond the main colony.
Local dive operator Dieter Gerhard first spotted extensive areas of the coral more than 30 years ago, but it was not until researchers began mapping the reef that they realized how extensive the formation was and that the sections may be connected as one enormous colony. Lead researcher Dr. JP Hobbs of Adelaide University, working with researchers from the Queensland Museum and James Cook University, spent months mapping the coral, using GPS to mark his progress between dives; it took 12 dives to map the full extent of the colony.
The researchers are now using genetic testing to investigate whether the formation is one giant coral organism or multiple colonies that have fused together over time. The Queensland Museum said the discovery provides new insights into the unique coral communities of Australia's remote marine environments.
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来源：《古海洋学与古气候学》期刊论文
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：加勒比海圣克罗伊岛外海的玫瑰珊瑚（Pachyseris）群落。（图／NOAA，Wikimedia Commons，公共领域）| A rose coral (Pachyseris) colony off St. Croix, Caribbean Sea. (Photo: NOAA, Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
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