The Curious Dance of Mushroom Corals: Nature’s Tiny Travelers

In a remarkable revelation, scientific observations have unveiled the fascinating mobility of mushroom corals, specifically within the family Fungiidae. These corals, appearing like shaggy round caps resting on the ocean floor, possess an unexpected ability to move and navigate their environment. Researchers have discovered that these coral polyps can perform a series of inflations and pulsations akin to a jellyfish, allowing them to traverse distances by transforming these movements into tiny hops. This unique mode of locomotion enables them to cover up to 36 millimeters in approximately two hours.

Coral polyps, equipped with multiple mouths capable of expelling water, can utilize this jet propulsion to facilitate movement. Dr. Hoeksema noted,

“I think that jet propulsion may help small mushroom corals to make the decisive move.”

This propulsion mechanism assists them in their journey across the ocean floor, a phenomenon first recorded by Japanese researchers in the 1980s and now studied with modern equipment.

Dr. Lewis, who has closely monitored these movements, amusingly remarked,

“You go to work and come back, and they’re in a different place.”

Using their unique locomotion capabilities, these corals can cross roughly the length of a standard computer printer paper within six hours if they maintain their speed. Their movement is not just random; they exhibit a preference for migrating towards blue-light zones, even when these areas possess more intense light. This affinity for blue-light zones mirrors the conditions found in deeper waters, suggesting an adaptive strategy for survival.

Additionally, coral polyps can be housed in aquariums, providing opportunities for enthusiasts and researchers alike to observe their intriguing behavior firsthand. This has led to creative inspirations beyond the scientific community, with coral polyps influencing imaginative works such as Dungeons and Dragons. Lewis humorously pointed out,

“If they were bigger, yes, it would be terrifying.”

The multifunctional mouths of these corals are instrumental in their movement. Lewis described this action as,

“Like getting up on your tippy-toes a little bit.”

Through the rhythmic expulsion of water, they manage a form of aquatic dance that propels them toward favorable conditions.