corals
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Scientists raised endangered coral species in the lab
Elkhorn is a critical reef-building species in the Caribbean, and the fact that it's endangered proves that our coral reefs are in huge trouble. In an effort to help the planet's reefs recover, SECORE International grew Elkhorns in the lab four years ago, which have now reached sexual maturity. Instead of snapping off pieces of coral from the wild to induce asexual reproduction, the team waited until it's time for the species to release gametes. Since that only happens once or twice a year, they didn't waste their chance in August 2011, placing special nets over the marine invertebrates to capture germ cells.
