Scientists Discover Coral Reefs Are Teeming With Previously Unknown Life

An international team analyzed coral reef samples from 99 reefs across 32 Pacific islands and found each coral hosts highly distinct microbial communities.

The Nature study identified 645 mostly unknown microbial species with strong biosynthetic potential, pointing to a vast hidden reef microbiome.

Researchers say coral reefs are not only reservoirs of visible biodiversity, but also of unexplored microbes and bioactive compounds.

Losing reefs could erase a future source of drugs, enzymes, and other biotechnology tools before they are even discovered.