Snapshots of the Moment: Acrimonious Romance

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In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers from San Francisco State University, University of Tsukuba, and University of the Ryukyus in Japan have unveiled the mechanism by which giant clams, such as the Tridacna crocea, bore their shells into coral reefs. The study's findings were published in the prestigious Royal Society journal Biology Letters on June 13.

Before this discovery, scientists had not been able to witness the secretion of acid in the lab through traditional techniques. However, the new study, led by Richard Hill from Michigan State University, Eric Armstrong from UC Berkeley, and Martin Tresguerres' laboratory at UC San Diego, has shed light on this previously unseen process.

The secretions are made by the pedal mantle, a fleshy tissue mass that can be protruded from a clam and touch a reef surface. These secretions have an acidic pH in the 4 to 5 range, enough to dissolve the calcium carbonate structures of coral reefs.

Interestingly, the acid-secreting enzyme in giant clams is the same as the one found in Osedax boneworms, stingrays, and corals. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the lives of these diverse organisms. For example, Osedax boneworms use it to dissolve and feed on whale carcasses, while stingrays use it to regulate their blood pH.

In the case of corals, they use the same acid-secreting enzyme to promote photosynthesis by their symbiotic algae. This process, known as coral acid secretion, is a key part of the coral's metabolism and plays a significant role in their overall health.

The research on the mechanism by which giant clams bore their shells into coral reefs was coordinated by marine biologists at the University of the Ryukyus in Japan. The team allowed the clam to rest on a pH-sensitive foil undisturbed and was able to detect the secretion of acid.

This discovery not only provides insights into the behaviour of giant clams but also raises questions about the impact of their activities on coral reefs. As the understanding of these processes deepens, so does the need for careful conservation efforts to protect these delicate ecosystems.