Despite these abilites of the corals to bounce back, it does take time and we cannot just wait for coral reefs to self-recover quickly. The main reason for the dwindling and extinction of coral reefs is not only due to climatic changes, but also due to human’s destructive actions, such as over-fishing and pollution in the surrounding coral reef region.

The human race must realise its impact on the coral reefs and play its role to protect them. We need to understand coral reefs form the basis for thriving, healthy ecosystems throughout the tropics. These reefs provide homes and nourishment for the thousands of species, including massive schools of fish. Millions of people across the globe feed on these fish.  It is a natural cycle that we cannot afford to break.

Mushroom corals belong to a family called Fungiidae which are solitary, mobile species distributed throughout Pacific and Indian Oceans. The reproduction of mushroom corals remains a challenge for scientists to discover. Mushroom corals are very diversified and so abundant.  

The discovery was surprised many coral reef scientists.   “We know in detail the reproductive patterns of more than 500 coral species, but no one reported before on the fact that some coral species may change sex,” says lead author professor Yossi Loya, a zoologist at Tel Aviv University.