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Slower-growing, much more robust corals like these brain corals,
成長較慢，也較結實的珊瑚 例如這些腦珊瑚
are better suited to the heart of the developing reef.
比較適合長在 正在建造的珊瑚礁中央
It's these that give the reef their structure and permanence.
它們能為珊瑚礁 提供永續生長的穩固結構
There could be nearly 500 different species here,
這里或許有近五百個珊瑚品種
each striving to win a foothold on the rusting hulk.
各自在生銹船殼上 奮力爭取一席之地
The pace of life for corals may seem to be so slow,
珊瑚的生活步調看似緩慢
that it's hard to imagine that there is any conflict here.
很難想象它們也會競爭
But, as night falls, the mood on the reef changes.
但在入夜后 珊瑚礁的氣氛轉變
Corals are, in fact, extremely aggressive,
珊瑚其實極為好斗
and will fight to the death to expand their territory.
為了擴展領地，它們會戰斗至死
There can be no honourable retreat,
這是無法光榮撤退的戰役
a winner will, literally, eat its enemy alive.
贏家會把敵人活活吃掉
Along the battle front, the polyps of both combatants extrude their guts,
沿著戰斗前線 敵對雙方的珊瑚蟲
long thread-like filaments,
吐出絲狀的細長內臟
over their opponents.
蓋住敵人
At the fringe, all that remains of the destroyed polyps
戰線邊緣是死去的珊瑚蟲
are their skeletons.
僅存的骨骼
The coral that can digest fastest, wins.
消化最快的珊瑚就是贏家
