The study, conducted by researchers from the University of the Ryukyus in Japan and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, examined the responses of two cryptic species of the coral Acropora tenuis to bleaching events caused by high water temperatures.
The researchers found that one cryptic species, A. tenuis clade A, was more susceptible to bleaching and experienced higher mortality rates than the other cryptic species, A. tenuis clade B.
The researchers suggest that the different responses of the two cryptic species to bleaching may be due to genetic differences in their heat tolerance and resilience. These differences could have implications for the survival of coral reefs, as they may make some species more vulnerable to the effects of climate change-induced coral bleaching.
Understanding the responses of different cryptic species to coral bleaching is important for predicting the impacts of climate change on coral reefs and for developing conservation strategies to protect these critical ecosystems.
