Marine heatwaves select for thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral

Author First name, Last name, Institution

E. J. Howells, Southern Cross University
D. Abrego, Southern Cross University
S. Schmidt-Roach, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
E. Puill-Stephan, Zayed University
H. Denis, Southern Cross University
S. Harii, University of the Ryukyus
L. K. Bay, Australian Institute of Marine Science
J. A. Burt, NYU Abu Dhabi
K. Monro, Monash University
M. Aranda, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Nature Climate Change

Publication Date

7-10-2025

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.

DOI Link

10.1038/s41558-025-02381-3

ISSN

1758-678X

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Volume

15

Issue

8

First Page

829

Last Page

832

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Scopus ID

105010632189

Recommended Citation

Howells, E. J.; Abrego, D.; Schmidt-Roach, S.; Puill-Stephan, E.; Denis, H.; Harii, S.; Bay, L. K.; Burt, J. A.; Monro, K.; and Aranda, M., "Marine heatwaves select for thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral" (2025). All Works. 7410.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/7410

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no