Extinct for 25 Years: Rare Coral Species Rediscovered in Galápagos Islands
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📰 The quick summary: Wellington’s solitary coral, thought to be extinct for over 25 years, has been rediscovered in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands with more than 290 thriving colonies, providing hope for marine biodiversity recovery.
📈 One key stat: Scientists discovered over 290 live colonies of Wellington’s solitary coral across multiple sites, demonstrating this critically endangered species has managed to survive and reproduce despite previous assumptions about its extinction.
💬 One key quote: “We didn’t just rediscover the species, we saw healthy colonies reproducing. It was one of the most exciting underwater moments of my career,” Terry Gosliner, a senior curator at the California Academy of Sciences and study co-author, told Mongabay.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have rediscovered Wellington’s solitary coral in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands after the species was believed extinct for more than 25 years. Research teams from the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galápagos National Park Directorate, and California Academy of Sciences found over 290 live colonies during 2024 dives, including at four previously unrecorded sites. This remarkable discovery challenges prior assumptions about the coral’s extinction following the devastating 1982-1983 El Niño event. Unlike reef-building corals, Wellington’s solitary coral doesn’t depend on sunlight or symbiotic algae, allowing it to potentially survive in deeper, cooler waters during warming events.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This rediscovery demonstrates nature’s resilience and ability to recover when conditions improve. The coral’s survival offers hope for other species thought to be lost forever and provides scientists with valuable insights about marine species adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Finding healthy, reproducing colonies indicates the population might be rebounding, potentially leading to an improved conservation status from critically endangered to vulnerable. The species’ presence in previously unrecorded locations expands our understanding of its habitat range and offers more opportunities for protection. This discovery also highlights the importance of continued marine research, especially in exploring deeper ocean habitats that may serve as refuges during climate events.
3️⃣ What’s next: Scientists will continue monitoring the coral populations to assess their long-term viability and reproductive success. The IUCN may reassess the species’ conservation status if healthy reproduction rates continue. However, researchers caution that ongoing ocean warming and future El Niño events still pose significant threats to this sensitive coral species.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Coral once feared extinct rediscovered in the Galápagos after 25 years
