Journal article
Marine heatwaves select for thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral
Nature climate change, Vol.15, pp.829-832
08/2025
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Standing genetic variation in fitness-related traits is critical to determine how fast populations can adapt to climate warming but is unknown for many species. Here we show that heritable genetic variation in heat tolerance in reef-building coral populations is widespread and strongly associated with selective pressure imposed by marine heatwaves. Our findings suggest that coral populations may be adapting to warming consistent with recent increases in their upper thermal limits.
Details
- Title
- Marine heatwaves select for thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral
- Creators
- E. J. Howells - National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs HarbourD. Abrego - National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs HarbourS. Schmidt-Roach - King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyE. Puill-Stephan - Zayed UniversityH. Denis - National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs HarbourS. Harii - University of the RyukyusL. K. Bay - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceJ. A. Burt - New York University Abu DhabiK. Monro - Monash UniversityM. Aranda - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- Publication Details
- Nature climate change, Vol.15, pp.829-832
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group; BERLIN
- Grant note
- This research was supported by a University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (E.J.H.), a Hermon Slade Foundation Grant (E.J.H. and D.A.) and a King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Competitive Research Grant (M.A. and E.J.H.).
- Identifiers
- 991013296651102368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2025
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article