[Coral-List] New coral papers...

[Zac Forsman]

Dear all,

With all the bleak news, here are a few studies that might have a glimmer
of hope (for some corals anyway). One study found genetic structure and
possible local adaptation across contrasting environments for P.lobata:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/uoha-cpr040220.php

Tisthammer KH, Forsman ZH, Toonen RJ, Richmond RH. 2020. Genetic structure
is stronger across human-impacted habitats than among islands in the coral
Porites lobata. PeerJ 8:e8550 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8550

The second study described a very odd little coral we found in Honolulu
harbor that is incredibly tough and a prolific brooder, yet genetically it
falls within the P.lobata species complex (which is a gonochoric
broadcast spawning coral).

Brown, N.P., Forsman, Z.H., Tisthammer, K.T. et al. A resilient brooding
coral in the broadcast spawning Porites lobata species complex: a new
endemic, introduced species, mutant, or new adaptive potential?. Coral
Reefs (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-01922-w

https://rdcu.be/b3noM

I think both of these studies are beginning to paint a picture of natural
selection and adaptation in action, with implications for reef restoration
and for understanding adaptation.... Stay tuned for the genomic data! ;)

Hope you are all very well and stay safe.

-Zac



----------------------------------
Zac H. Forsman,  Ph.D.
Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology
University of Hawai'i, Mānoa
Coconut Island | Moku o Loʻe | 46-007 Lilipuna Road | Kāne'ohe, HI 96744
http://tobolab.org/people/postdoctoral-researchers/zach-forsman/
Google Scholar profile:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=MyhFvt4AAAAJ