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Coral Reef

A giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) sits on the sea floor off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico....
Underwater image in the ocean showing a bright yellow coral reef in the center, which is giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans), surrounding are brown sea plume corals, and an assortment of brown algae. with an overall dark blue background off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico.
A giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) reaches towards the ocean’s surface off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico....
An underwater image of a giant image of a slit-pore rod (Plexaurella nutans) that is reaching upward into the ocean's surface off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Underneath the golden coral reef, there is fuzzy brown algae (Dictyota) growing beneath with a light aqua background and water
A cluster of sea rods and sea plumes sit on the ocean floor off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto...
An underwater image of cluster of light purple brown sea rods and golden yellow sea plumes sit on the ocean floor off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Brown algae, sargassum, float on the water’s surface in the background
A small giant split-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans; center, yellow) sits next to a patch of brown sea plume coral...
An underwater photo of a smaller 'giant split-pore sea rod' centered in the middle of the photo sitting next to brown sea plume coral (Antillogorgia bipinnata) to the right off the coast of La Parguera, Puerto Rico.
This clump of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) from Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, is mostly dead, with the exception of...
This underwater photo is a clump of yellow, white, and brown, lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) from Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, which is mostly dead, but has two small lobes on the bottom and left sides. There are white spots on the far left which are evidence of bleaching, while most of the coral has been colonized by Ramicrusta algae, which is burnt orange fuzz covering most of the coral.
Small striped Bluehead wrasse fish swim around a mostly-dead colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) in the waters off...
This underwater photo in the ocean shows a small striped Bluehead wrasse fish swim around a mostly-dead colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) off the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. There are several colonies of finger coral (Porites furcata), and one fire coral (Millepora alcicornis).
A small school of French grunts (the yellow fish), swim around a colony of coral in the waters of Punta...
In this underwater image there is a small school of yellow fish called French grunts swimming around a colony of coral in the waters of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. This colony is primarily lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis): the bright gold colored lobes are live lobes while the burnt orange lobes have been taken over by an encrusting algae (Ramicrusta). In the center of the image there is a red rope sponge.
A small school of French grunts (the yellow fish), swim around a colony of coral in the waters of Punta...
In this underwater image there is a small school of yellow fish called French grunts swimming around a colony of coral in the waters of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. This colony is primarily lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis): the bright gold colored lobes are live lobes while the burnt orange lobes have been taken over by an encrusting algae (Ramicrusta). In the center of the image there is a red rope sponge. There is also a group of divers with there fins showing in the top part of the background.
A gold knobby sea rod (Eunicea) drifts in the water off of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, while NASA Ames research...
A photo underwater of a golden sea rod (Eunicea) drifting into the water Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. Coral expert and scientist from NASA Ames Research Center, Juan Torres-Pérez is floating in the background. These reefs are one of several field locations for Torres-Pérez’s OCEANOS internship, where students learn oceanography technology, field techniques, and data processing.
NASA Ames research scientist and coral expert Juan Torres-Pérez points at bleaching spots on a clump of staghorn coral (Acropora...
An underwater image showing a man floating in the water near a coral reef. The man is NASA Ames Research Center Scientist Juan Torres-Pérez pointing to bleaching spots on a clump of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in the waters of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico.staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in the waters of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. The rest of the coral colony shows encrusting Ramicrusta algae, and a few colonies of branching finger coral. (Porites furcate)
NASA Ames research scientist and coral expert Juan Torres-Pérez points at bleaching spots on a clump of staghorn coral (Acropora...
An underwater photo of a man named Juan Torres-Pérez. He is a coral expert and is pointing very closely to bleaching spots on a clump of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), in the waters of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. The rest of the coral colony shows encrusting Ramicrusta algae, and a few colonies of branching finger coral (Porites furcate)
A yellow Venus sea fan (Gorgonia flabellum) waves in the current next to several colonies of the common purple sea...
An underwater image showing a yellow Venus fan (Gorgonia flabellum) and purple sea fan(Gorgonia ventalina) in the water of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. Behind the Venus sea fan, a colony of sea plumes (Antillogorgia) peek through the fans. The rest of the structure is a dead Boulder star coral colony (Orbicella annularis) colonized by encrusting Ramicrusta algae and brown Dictyota algae.
A yellow Venus sea fan (Gorgonia flabellum) waves in the current next to several colonies of the common purple sea...
An underwater image showing a yellow Venus fan (Gorgonia flabellum) and purple sea fan(Gorgonia ventalina) in the water of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. Behind the Venus sea fan, a colony of sea plumes (Antillogorgia) peek through the fans. The rest of the structure is a dead Boulder star coral colony (Orbicella annularis) colonized by encrusting Ramicrusta algae and brown Dictyota algae.
A colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), dotted on the right side by colonies of finger coral (Porites furcate),...
An under photo of a colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), dotted on the right side by colonies of finger coral (Porites furcate), sits on the ocean floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, surrounded by students in the NASA OCEANOS summer internship. The brighter gold sections of the coral are the live lobes, while the darker burnt orange sections have been colonized by an encrusting algae (Ramicrusta).
Colonies of finger coral (Porites furcate, center) and lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis, top of the reef), sit on the...
An underwater photo of colonies of finger coral (Porites furcate, center) and lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis, top of the reef), sit on the ocean floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. Towards the bottom of the structure are small patches of the green calcareous algae Halimeda opuntia.
A colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) interspersed with some branching finger coral (Porites furcata) sits on the ocean...
An underwater photo of a colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) interspersed with some branching finger coral (Porites furcata) sits on the ocean floor at Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. While many of the lobes are still alive, many have been taken over by a burnt orange encrusting algae (Ramicrusta). Towards the center of the structure is a juvenile yellowtail damselfish: a small black fish with bright blue spots.
NASA Ames research scientist and coral specialist Juan Torres-Pérez points at an encrusting algae called Ramicrusta, which has taken over...
An underwater photo of NASA Ames research scientist and coral specialist Juan Torres-Pérez points at an encrusting algae called Ramicrusta, which has taken over much of this colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis). This colony is part of the reefs in Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, and is one of the field sites for Torres-Pérez’ marine biology internship OCEANOS.
A colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) sits on the ocean floor at Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. While many...
An underwater photo of a colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) sits on the ocean floor at Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. While many of the lobes are still alive, many have been taken over by a burnt orange encrusting algae (Ramicrusta). On the far right are two colonies of mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata).
A common purple sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) sits on the sea floor at Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. In the foreground...
An underwater photo of a common purple sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) sits on the sea floor at Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. In the foreground sits a cluster of clubtip finger coral (Porites porites), and to the left of the sea fan is a yellow symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa). Also visible in the photo are a few small patches of the green calcareous algae Halimeda opuntia.
A colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) sits on the ocean floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, dotted with...
Underwater photo of a colony of lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) sits on the ocean floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, dotted with several colonies of fire corals (Millepora complanata) and surrounded by white striped fish called sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis). The brighter gold sections of the coral are the live lobes, while the darker brownish-orange sections have been colonized by an encrusting algae (Ramicrusta).
A golden sea rod sits on the sea floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. To the left of the sea...
An underwater image of a golden sea rod sits on the sea floor of Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico. To the left of the sea rod is a small golfball coral (Favia fragum), and to the right are a few patches of calcareous green algae (Halimeda opuntia)
A clubtip finger coral (Porites porites) sits at the edge of a small reef in Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, surrounded...
An underwater image of A clubtip finger coral (Porites porites) sits at the edge of a small reef in Punta Soldado, Puerto Rico, surrounded by fire corals (Millepora alcicornis) and mustard hill coral (Porites astroides). The striped fish are a variety of damselfish called sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis), and the blue fish are blue tangs (Acanthurus coeruleus).
A common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) waves in the current at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by turtle grass (Thalassia...
An underwater photo of a common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) waves in the current at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum). In the background, students from the 2024 OCEANOS internship perform field work in and around the reefs.
A grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico.
An underwater photo of A grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico.
A small, manmade “coral garden” sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. Coral species, clockwise from top:...
An underwater photo of a small, manmade “coral garden” sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. Coral species, clockwise from top: a yellow symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa) with a visible white spot from white plague disease, encrusting algae (Ramicrusta), grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), and branching finger coral (Porites furcata). In the center are more branching finger coral and lobed star coral, as well as bright yellow mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides). The long, thin black and bright red sections are various sea rods.
A colony of endangered pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by...
An under water photo of a colony of endangered pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum). This coral was found by OCEANOS instructor Samuel Suleiman during the field work portion of the internship.
OCEANOS instructor Samuel Suleiman brings a sea rod over to the “coral garden” he is constructing around an endangered species...
An underwater image of OCEANOS instructor Samuel Suleiman brings a sea rod over to the “coral garden” he is constructing around an endangered species of coral (front left), called pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus), which he discovered while leading the field work portion of the internship at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. This underwater garden should attract fish and wildlife such as sea urchins, which will give the endangered coral — and the other species in this small reef — a better chance of survival.
OCEANOS instructor Samuel Suleiman constructs a “coral garden” around an endangered species of coral (center right, fuzzy brown section), called...
An underwater photo of OCEANOS instructor Samuel Suleiman constructs a “coral garden” around an endangered species of coral (center right, fuzzy brown section), called pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus), which he discovered while leading the field work portion of the internship at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. This underwater garden should attract fish and wildlife such as sea urchins, which will give the endangered coral — and the other species in this small reef — a better chance of survival.
A small “coral garden” comprising roughly seven different coral species sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico,...
An underwater image of a small “coral garden” comprising roughly seven different coral species sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, assembled by OCEANOS instructor Sammuel Suleiman to protect an endangered species of coral (not pictured). On the far left of the coral garden is a yellow symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa) with a stark white spot in the center: a clear sign of white plague disease.
A small “coral garden” comprised of about seven different coral species sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto...
An underwater photo of a small “coral garden” comprised of about seven different coral species sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, assembled by OCEANOS instructor Sammuel Suleiman to protect an endangered species of coral. On the far left of the coral garden is a yellow symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa) with a stark white spot in the center: a clear sign of white plague disease. Just behind the symmetrical brain coral is the endangered coral Dendrogyra cylindrus, more commonly referred to as pillar coral (the dark brown, fuzzy mound), and the long spines of black sea urchin (Diadema antillarum).
A giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to a...
An underwater image of a giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to a small clubtip finger coral (Porites porites) with a light blue background
A giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to a...
An underwater image of a giant slit-pore sea rod (Plexaurella nutans) sits on the ocean floor at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to a small clubtip finger coral (Porites porites) with a white and blue background.
A large yellow sea rod waves in the current of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina)....
Underwater image of a large yellow sea rod waves in the current of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, surrounded by sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina). In the bottom right corner, a sea fan is being colonized by a fire coral (Millepora).
A large yellow sea rod reaches towards the ocean’s surface in the waters of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to...
An underwater photo of a large yellow sea rod reaches towards the ocean’s surface in the waters of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, next to a purple sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina). In the bottom left are the stubby arms of a clubtip finger coral (Porites porites).
An underwater photo of a large sea rod reaching towards the ocean’s surface in the waters of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico. In the foreground are the stubby arms of a clubtip finger coral (Porites porites).
A brightly colored branching finger coral (Porites furcata) sits in a reef off the coast of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico,...
An underwater image of a brightly colored branching finger coral (Porites furcata) sits in a reef off the coast of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, as sea whips and sea rods wave gently in the background.
A cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa...
An underwater photo of a cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico.
A cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa...
An underwater photo of a cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico.
A cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa...
An underwater photo of a cluster of yellow sea rods, sea whips, and purple sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) drift in the current at Playa Melones, Puerto Rico.
A colony of fire coral (Millepora complanata) sit in the shallow waters of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, as juvenile black,...
An underwater image of a colony of golden colored fire coral (Millepora complanata) sit in the shallow waters of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, as juvenile black, white, and yellow-striped Bluehead wrasse fish dart in and out of the branches.