What's Happening?
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe has discovered that corals, despite lacking a brain, require sleep. The research conducted off the island of Curaçao found that corals follow a strict sleep schedule,
resting at night while their symbiotic algae remain active. This finding suggests that sleep is an ancient mechanism essential for cellular repair, dating back to the earliest animals. The study highlights the symbiotic relationship between corals and algae, where the algae provide nutrients through photosynthesis while the corals offer protection.
Why It's Important?
The discovery that corals need sleep challenges previous assumptions about the necessity of a central nervous system for sleep. It underscores the fundamental role of sleep in animal evolution and its importance for cellular maintenance. This research could have implications for understanding the health and resilience of coral reefs, which are vital to marine ecosystems. The findings may also inform conservation efforts, as coral bleaching and environmental stressors threaten these ecosystems.
