In marine science, coral biology is the study of various aspects of coral biology like cellular biology, molecular biology and ecology of coral behaviour. Since coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems in terms of biodiversity and there is increased destruction of their habitat all over the world due to various human and natural effects, it has become increasingly necessary to understand their effects on corals at the cellular level.
The most important studies in coral biology are the symbiotic relationship of dinoflagellates and the cnidarian host. The mechanism of bleaching is still unclear. Researchers have not been able to understand what causes the loss of the dinoflagellates during a bleaching effect. Is it the coral animal that expels the symbiotic partner, or is it the zooxanthellae that escapes, or is it the combination of both the partners? Understanding this behaviour is one of the important aspects of coral biology.
