Abstract
Since their debut in shallow waters (circa 240 Mya), the vast majority of scleractinian corals have established a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae. These endosymbionts, commonly known as zooxanthellae, assist corals in their nutrient production through photosynthetic activities, typically averaging densities of 1-5x106, per square ce…