Sydney, Oct 19 : Different species of coral on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef spawn at the same time because their genes sense moonlight, say researchers.

These genes, which synchronise spawning over a couple of days each November, are of the same kind that regulates the human body clock, they say.

“They're timing the spawning, it appears, using the cue of the lunar cycle,” said Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Queensland.

“The mystery is how they detect moonlight without eyes,” he said.

Sydney, Oct 18 : Rising atmospheric carbon levels as a result of global warming is making waters around the Great Barrier Reef acidic at a higher than expected rate.

London, Oct 18 : An enterprising Australian has put his vote in the federal election for auction, with the highest bidder to choose who the seller should vote for.