Coral researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here claimed to have photographed a natural coral assemblage beneath the sea with a resemblance to the Indian tricolour.

The underwater image captured during a marine mammal survey from Minicoy, Lakshadweep, showed two coral colonies appearing in tricolour.

The species were identified as Lobophyllia corymbose with its vibrant orange colour, and Lobophyllia radians in white and green colours, according to a communication.

The image captured by research scholar Alvin Anto provided insights into the contrasting response of corals to environmental stress. While one Lobophyllia radians colony underwent bleaching after losing its symbiotic algae, its neighbouring colony remained healthy despite growing in close proximity. While one colony of the coral species bleached due to rising sea temperatures, its direct neighbour of the same species remained healthy.

The variation in thermal stress tolerance offers insights for the ongoing reef restoration and climate adaptation research, said CMFRI Director Grinson George.

CMFRI is scaling up the deployment of artificial reefs along coastal waters, besides replenishing the depleted wild stocks of ecologically and economically vital marine species, the communication said.

Published - August 14, 2026 07:51 pm IST