Tiny Hairs That Help Corals Breathe May Malfunction in Warming Oceans
Several new studies have uncovered this long overlooked aspect of coral physiology that could be the key to the animals’ fate in a changing climate.
Tiny hairs called cilia that aid corals in breathing may malfunction in warming oceans, according to new research. These microscopic structures are responsible for generating fast-moving vortices of water to circulate oxygen to the coral's outer tissues during nighttime when photosynthesis within the algae stops. A study published in Science in 2026 provides insights into how corals regulate this process and the consequences of rising water temperatures.
Warmer water naturally contains less oxygen, causing corals to accelerate the beating of their cilia. However, above a certain temperature, the rapid cilia movement depletes the oxygen available to the coral's tissues, potentially leading to suffocation. Scientists are now investigating the physiological and hydrodynamic forces at play, along with their correlation to bleaching patterns, disease, and coral die-offs.
Cilia may serve as a more direct indicator of a coral's health compared to its symbiotic algal partners. Understanding these finer details could help scientists determine why some corals bleach while others do not, even when they are close to each other.
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