The evolution of the pillar coral as an organism dependent on the zooxanthellae can be demonstrated by an experiment conducted by the student.
Explanation:
Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic algae which reside in the tissues of most of the reef-building corals. Both of this exhibit mutualistic relationship where in the corals protect the algae and also provide the necessary compounds for photosynthesis. The algae in return of this, produces and provides oxygen and also helps the coral remove its wastes. A student can conduct an experiment on this phenomenon of mutualistic behaviour by removing the zooxanthellae from the corals which may even kill the coral.
