September 13, 2005

NSU Oceanographers Discover A Large Piece Of Florida’s History
Broward’s Monster Coral Oldest and Largest Specimen in Southeast Florida

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, FL – Scientists at the National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University have discovered the oldest, and quite possibly, the largest living animal in Southeast Florida.

The scientists, who are also affiliated with NSU’s Oceanographic Center, discovered the 6-foot by 12-foot Broward County star coral (Montastraea faveolata) south of the Port Everglades Inlet. Richard Dodge, Ph.D., dean of the Oceanographic Center and executive director of the NCRI, said early analysis shows the reef has been around since Spanish colonization of Florida.

“This is a major find because the recorded history of South Florida’s environment is scant,” said Dodge. “We might be able to use this coral to reconstruct the missing records.”

Broward County Environmental Protection Division assisted with the find. Working with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NSU scientists examined a core sample from the skeleton of the coral.

“X-rays reveal growth banding, similar to the rings in tree trunks,” Dodge said. “Analysis of growth bands indicate the coral is well over 300 years old, making it the oldest animal in Southeast Florida.“

NCRI intends to further analyze this large coral skeleton for valuable data on past history of climate and environmental change. Preliminary work suggests the major drainage of the Everglades in Broward from the 1940’s to 1970’s may have caused depressed growth in this coral.

The National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) was established by Congressional mandate in 1998. NCRI's primary objective is the assessment, monitoring, and restoration of coral reefs through basic and applied research and through training and education. NCRI operates at the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.