Bertarelli-Annual-Report-2024-LR - Flipbook - Page 22
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Bertarelli Foundation
Bryan Wilson with Chagos brain coral at Middle Brother lagoon © Jon Slayer
Conservation of the Chagos
Brain Coral (Ctenella chagius)
Lead Investigator: Dr. Bryan Wilson,
University of Oxford
to investigate how closely related these individuals are
to each other, and how far their larvae might disperse.
These genetic data are being compared with that from
archive specimens stored in the Natural History Museum
in London and collected a century ago, when the global
climate was quite different to that today. This could reveal
how corals adapt to our changing ocean.
This project was expanded in 2023 from previous
research associated with Phase 1 of the marine science
programme. While the Chagos Archipelago is one of the
most remote and relatively pristine reef systems in the
world, unnaturally warm surface waters have particularly
affected the iconic Chagos brain coral, Ctenella chagius,
only found in these islands and until recently thought
extinct. Using this critically endangered species as
a model and bringing together a diverse range of
researchers from very different fields, the team is working
to develop a conservation framework for assessing the
threats and opportunities for coral recovery.
This year, faced with an imminent El Niño warming
event the team mobilised to bring a small group of
Ctenella into the aquarium environment – more details
in Conservation Impacts. In addition, field surveys were
conducted to record surviving colonies and populations
of this elusive coral species, documenting 120 colonies.
Small samples were carefully taken for genetic analyses
Heather Koldewey with coral on arrival at the
Horniman Museum and Gardens © Jon Slayer
