The researchers almost missed it too. His discovery “was really serendipitous,” says Molly Timmers, the expedition’s lead scientist. “He was found the night before we moved to another section.”

The expedition team claims it is the largest coral colony ever recorded. It is made up of nearly a billion genetically identical coral polyps that work together within the colony as if they were a single organism.

Although the newly discovered coral is in excellent health, researchers are concerned about the many threats facing all corals, including global warming and overfishing. They hope this discovery will inspire more protections for the Solomon Islands’ marine habitats.

Billions of coral polyps

“Finding this mega coral is like finding the largest tree on the planet,” says Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas, via email. “This discovery revives our sense of awe and amazement about the ocean. »

The organism is a type of hard coral called Pavona clavus, Or scapula coral because it has columns that “It kind of looks like shoulders,” says Timmers.