some interesting reading:
redbugs, not news to most folks: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/3/corals
and the scary part, look at all the parasites and types of corals covered:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/3/corals
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/corals
excerpt:
Method of Infection (Xarifiid Copepods)
Chang and Dai (2009) made observations of a stony coral's (Stylophora pistillata) reactions to a deliberate infection with a xarifiid crustacean. The copepods would approach the coral polyp's mouth and apparently released a substance that made the polyp open (it is unknown if this substance mimics one that induces feeding behavior, or acts as a muscle relaxant). The copepod then rapidly enters the coral through the mouth and begins its parasitic existence. How the copepod avoids being stung and injured or killed by the tentacles' nematocysts is unclear. It is also unclear if other coral species are infected in a similar manner. In any case, it is clear that at least some crustaceans can be internal parasites of corals.
redbugs, not news to most folks: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/3/corals
and the scary part, look at all the parasites and types of corals covered:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/3/corals
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/corals
excerpt:
Method of Infection (Xarifiid Copepods)
Chang and Dai (2009) made observations of a stony coral's (Stylophora pistillata) reactions to a deliberate infection with a xarifiid crustacean. The copepods would approach the coral polyp's mouth and apparently released a substance that made the polyp open (it is unknown if this substance mimics one that induces feeding behavior, or acts as a muscle relaxant). The copepod then rapidly enters the coral through the mouth and begins its parasitic existence. How the copepod avoids being stung and injured or killed by the tentacles' nematocysts is unclear. It is also unclear if other coral species are infected in a similar manner. In any case, it is clear that at least some crustaceans can be internal parasites of corals.
