The species of soft coral known as Dendronephthya was discovered at a depth of 42 meters in the waters near Sdot Yam village last May. This finding suggests that the coral may have “migrated” from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
Israeli marine biologists have identified a type of coral commonly found in the Red Sea in the eastern Mediterranean. This indicates that this marine organism may have “migrated” from the Red Sea to the eastern Mediterranean.
This species of coral is common in the Red Sea. (Illustrative photo: AFP/TTXVN).
In a study published in the journal Biology, researchers from the University of Haifa in Israel reported that this species, Dendronephthya, was found at a depth of 42 meters in the waters near Sdot Yam village last May.
This coral species is typically found in tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is prevalent in the Red Sea.
The study indicates that while the exact migration route cannot be determined, it is possible that this coral has “migrated” from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean.
This phenomenon is considered part of Lessepsian Migration, which involves the movement of marine species through the Suez Canal, typically from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and rarely in the opposite direction.
Experts suggest that the cooler waters of the Mediterranean, which were previously inhospitable to tropical coral species, are becoming more suitable due to the effects of climate change.
Researchers note that rising temperatures in coastal waters during winter, along with temperature changes in the eastern Mediterranean since the 1990s, may create favorable conditions for invasive tropical species.
Researchers warn that due to its rapid growth characteristics, Dendronephthya coral may spread quickly and could become a dominant species in the Mediterranean, posing a significant threat to the local ecosystem.
