Diver with Lobophyllia coral at Darwin's Wall, Palau

Diver Terry Ward shining a light on multicolored Lobophyllia brain coral formation at Darwin's Wall that Ron Leidich has dubbed the Four Corners. This unique location is flushed by strong currents exchanged between a large inner lake (Long Lake) and the open ocean, generating ample nutrient flow to support these slow-growing corals, which flourish in large numbers and grow to exceptional size in this area. There is minimal sunlight that penetrates the canopy of overhanging foliage, meaning than the corals rely more on the daily tidal exchange for nutrients than on their zooxanthallae. This wall and the corals that live on them are a perfect illustration of the intricate relationship between the ecosystems of the inner lakes of Palau's Rock Islands and the open ocean.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: diver-with-lobophyllia-coral-darwins-wall-palau-201102-208.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 5184x3456 / 51.3MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Coral Hard Coral Animalia Cnidaria Anthozoa Scleractinia Mussidae Lobophyllia sp. Pacific Philippine Sea Caroline Islands Palau Ngeruktabel Island Darwin's Wall Long Lake Four Corners Symbiosis Terry Ward
Contained in galleries: Palau, Exploring Palau by Kayak

Diver Terry Ward shining a light on multicolored Lobophyllia brain coral formation at Darwin's Wall that Ron Leidich has dubbed the Four Corners. This unique location is flushed by strong currents exchanged between a large inner lake (Long Lake) and the open ocean, generating ample nutrient flow to support these slow-growing corals, which flourish in large numbers and grow to exceptional size in this area. There is minimal sunlight that penetrates the canopy of overhanging foliage, meaning than the corals rely more on the daily tidal exchange for nutrients than on their zooxanthallae. This wall and the corals that live on them are a perfect illustration of the intricate relationship between the ecosystems of the inner lakes of Palau's Rock Islands and the open ocean.