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Indian Ocean tsunamis destroyed one of the world's most important silk-route ports in the 15th century, new research finds.

Indian Ocean tsunamis destroyed one of the world's most important silk-route ports in the 15th century, new research finds.

Fuzzy crab, shiny-eyed shrimp discovered on Java expedition.

Over a dozen new species of crabs, prawns and lobsters discovered; over 40 new records for Indonesia.

Competitive interactions between corals and macroalgae play an important role in determining benthic community structure on coral reefs. While it is known that macroalgae may negatively affect corals, the relative influence of contact- versus water-mediated macroalgal interactions on corals - such as via an influence on coral-associated microbiomes - is less well understood. Further, the impacts of macroalgae on corals that have persisted in a heavily urbanized reef system have not been explored previously. We examined the effects of the macroalgae Lobophora sp. and Hypnea pannosa on the physiology and microbiome of three Indo-Pacific coral species (Merulina ampliata, Montipora stellata, and Pocillopora acuta) collected from two reefs in Singapore (Pulau Satumu and Kusu Island), and compared how these effects varied between direct contact and water-mediated interactions. Direct contact by Lobophora sp. caused visible tissue bleaching and reduced maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) in all three coral species, while direct contact by H. pannosa only led to slight, but significant, suppression of Fv/Fm. No detrimental effects on coral physiology were observed when corals were in close proximity to the macroalgae or when in direct contact with algal mimics. However, both direct contact and water-mediated interactions with Lobophora sp. and H. pannosa altered the prokaryotic community structures in M. stellata. For M. ampliata and P. acuta, the changes in their microbiomes in response to algal treatments were more strongly influenced by the source reefs from which the coral colonies were collected. In particular, coral colonies collected from Kusu Island had proportionately more initial abundances of potentially pathogenic bacteria in their microbiomes than those collected from Pulau Satumu; nevertheless, coral fragments from Kusu Island had the same physiological responses to macroalgal interactions as corals from Pulau Satumu. Overall, our results reveal that, for the sp

Indian Ocean tsunami watch issued for Aceh quake

U.S. plans 10-month warship deployment to Singapore.

Iranian Warships Repel Pirates' Attacks on Chinese Cargo Ship in High Seas.

Pirates hijack cargo ship with 25 people off India.

Accused Somali pirates arrive in Malaysia.

S. Korean ship attacked by pirates in Indian Ocean.

Commercial ships passing through the Malacca and Singapore straits have been warned to be alert for possible theft by local people and pirates while ...

Commercial ships passing through the Malacca and Singapore straits have been warned to be alert for possible theft by local people and pirates while ...

Container ship with 13 Indians on board catches fire near Lakshadweep, Indian Coast Guard rushes aid.

Endangered Whale Shark Fins Found in Singapore Airlines Shipment to HK.

Foreign Fleets Plundered Somalia's Fish.

Researchers find more evidence of 14th-century tsunami that wiped out Sumatran villages.