Jerusalem, 18 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A 5-year study by a research group from the Geological Institute led by Dr. Orit Hyams-Kaphzan, in collaboration with Dr. Ahuva Almogi-Labin and Michael Kitin, together with a research group from the University of Haifa and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR, Haifa), sheds new light on the hidden microscopic world of the northern rocky reefs at Achziv and Rosh HaNikra (Carmel headland). In this study, 113 species of epiphytic foraminifera were documented — microscopic single-celled organisms living on macro-algae in the rocky reefs along Israel’s northern coast.
The host algal species and its morphology (simple or complex) largely determine which foraminifera species will thrive in the rocky reefs.
The Red Sea invasive species, Amphistegina lobifera, is rapidly spreading into shallower waters as well, occurring almost exclusively on the invasive alga Lobophora schneideri.
A new discovery: two foraminifera species that arrived from the Red Sea were documented living in this area for the first time.
Why is this interesting?
In an era of ocean warming, coastal ecosystems are changing rapidly. This study of Israel’s shallow rocky reefs provides a critical database for monitoring one of the most vulnerable areas on Earth — the land-sea interface. These early warning indicators are essential for the conservation and management of our marine environment.