AI Insight
Scientists discovered a brilliant yellow coral species off the coast of Costa Rica that is so genetically distinct from all known corals that it required the establishment of an entirely new taxonomic family. The meter-tall coral colonies, named Laurinque elenya meaning "golden tree of the stars," grow from seafloors inhabited by brittle stars. Genetic analysis confirmed the coral represents a previously unknown evolutionary lineage within the coral phylogenetic tree.
Why it matters
This discovery highlights significant gaps in our understanding of marine biodiversity and coral evolution, even in relatively accessible ocean regions. The identification of an entirely new coral family suggests there may be other undiscovered major lineages in unexplored marine ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of continued deep-sea exploration and taxonomic research.
Understand the Science
A brilliant yellow coral discovered off Costa Rica proved so unusual that scientists had to create an entirely new family to classify it. The meter-tall colonies rise from seafloors covered in brittle stars, inspiring the Tolkien-inspired name Laurinque elenya, or “golden tree of the stars.” Advanced genetic analysis revealed that the coral belongs to a previously unknown evolutionary lineage.
Source: This “golden tree” coral was too strange for any known family