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Slower-growing, much more robust corals like these brain corals,
成长较慢，也较结实的珊瑚 例如这些脑珊瑚
are better suited to the heart of the developing reef.
比较适合长在 正在建造的珊瑚礁中央
It's these that give the reef their structure and permanence.
它们能为珊瑚礁 提供永续生长的稳固结构
There could be nearly 500 different species here,
这里或许有近五百个珊瑚品种
each striving to win a foothold on the rusting hulk.
各自在生锈船壳上 奋力争取一席之地
The pace of life for corals may seem to be so slow,
珊瑚的生活步调看似缓慢
that it's hard to imagine that there is any conflict here.
很难想象它们也会竞争
But, as night falls, the mood on the reef changes.
但在入夜后 珊瑚礁的气氛转变
Corals are, in fact, extremely aggressive,
珊瑚其实极为好斗
and will fight to the death to expand their territory.
为了扩展领地，它们会战斗至死
There can be no honourable retreat,
这是无法光荣撤退的战役
a winner will, literally, eat its enemy alive.
赢家会把敌人活活吃掉
Along the battle front, the polyps of both combatants extrude their guts,
沿着战斗前线 敌对双方的珊瑚虫
long thread-like filaments,
吐出丝状的细长内脏
over their opponents.
盖住敌人
At the fringe, all that remains of the destroyed polyps
战线边缘是死去的珊瑚虫
are their skeletons.
仅存的骨骼
The coral that can digest fastest, wins.
消化最快的珊瑚就是赢家

重点解释

Slower-growing, much more robust corals like these brain corals,are better suited to the heart of the developing reef.成长较慢，也较结实的珊瑚，例如这些脑珊瑚比较适合长在正在建造的珊瑚礁中央

much more多得多

The cost was much more than they had bargained on.

花费的钱比他们预料的多得多。

He is much more experienced than before.

他比以前老练多了。

each striving to win a foothold on the rusting hulk.各自在生锈船壳上，奋力争取一席之地

strive to争取, 追求

We should all strive to reunify the motherland.

我们共同努力,实现祖国统一。

I am striving to explain explicitly.

我力争做出详尽的说明。

Corals are, in fact, extremely aggressive,珊瑚其实极为好斗

in fact其实； 事实上；实际上

In fact, some losses are not assessable.

事实上,有些损失是不可估价的。

In fact we were innocent of the crime.

事实上，我们是无辜的。

they will fight to the death to expand their territory.为了扩展领地，它们会战斗至死

fight to the death战斗到底, 战死

If I were he I should wish to fight to the death.

如果我是他，我宁可战斗到最后一息。