While a remake of the forgettable 1976 B-grade flop of tepid cult classic status Piranha is probably not going to feature diabolical bloodthirsty coral larvae dismantling midnight swimmers in a multi-faceted angles of gore on their way to world domination with the entire discombobulated sequence accompanied by a pounding European acid EDM track, the docile reputation of the marine organisms has been officially tainted with an ominous note.
Cold water coral species, which amazingly can thrive in ocean temperatures under 40 degrees and exist within both polar zones, apparently collaborate in capturing more substantial prey than once thought, while helping to counterbalance periodic swarms of pesky stinging jellyfish, according to the BBC News.
Researchers observed the coordinated actions of the vibrantly colored organisms on ledges and caves in the dim depths off the coast of Sicily. Remarkably, the penny-sized polyps, were highly versed in creating a highly effective network of communication and trapping system, when a significant source of food was ensnared on a single coral. The collective efforts of the coral colonies were so calculated and efficient, that even the Pelagia Jellyfish, a species known as packing a painful punch to swimmers, and measuring up to 4 inches in diameter, was a regular victim to the army of the diminutive killer polyps.
Scientists surmise that the corals take advantage of specific set of marine conditions and the influx of the jellyfish during occasional blooms in thriving in the dark waters. A note of warning to the local ocean critters, don’t swim too close to the rocks, or the end may be near.
Read the BBC News article here.