Genomic determinants of coral heat tolerance across latitudes

TLDR

Coral reefs are threatened by rising temperatures, with acute heat causing stress and damage, while gradual temperature changes can promote adaptation and increased heat tolerance. The study shows that heat tolerance varies across latitudes and is heritable, indicating that natural variation may enable rapid coral adaptation to climate warming. Dixon et al., Science, p.1460.

Abstract

Some like it hot Coral reefs are threatened by increasing temperatures. Acute temperature increases stress and damage corals. However, more gradual temperature changes can result in adaptation and subsequent tolerance for higher temperatures. Dixon et al. show that the heat tolerance that currently exists across coral populations from different latitudes can be inherited. Thus, natural variation in temperature tolerance may facilitate rapid adaptation among corals as our climate warms. Science , this issue p. 1460