Corals already have the genes to adapt to warmer oceans – images

26 June, 2015

Australian Institute of Marine Science, Media releases

Media release and background information
High res photos (below)
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Far Northern Great Barrier Reef. Reefs around the world are threatened by climate change. A new study shows that some corals have the genes to adapt to warmer oceans. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS

Diver surveys FN GBR_by_Ray Berkelmans AIMS

Line Bay surveys temperature-tolerant corals in the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef. Credit: Ray Berkelmans AIMS

Where space is limited and occupied by fast-growing corals like staghorn and plate corals, colonies often 'engulf' or overtop each other. Scarring where the two colonies touch indicates active competition among individuals.

Reefs around the world are threatened by climate change. A new study shows that some corals have the genes to adapt to warmer oceans. Credit: Ray Berkelmans, AIMS

Line Bay of AIMS is part of the international team that found a genetic basis to temperature tolerance in coral. Credit: AIMS

Line Bay of AIMS is part of an international team that found a genetic basis to temperature tolerance in coral. Credit: AIMS

Reef scenes from the Great Barrier Reef. If corals can evolve higher temperature tolerances their future under climate change is much improved. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS

In 2005 this bommie was devoid of coral after a large cyclone crossed over. Six years later there are many medium-sized recruits, all about the same size, which will soon form close to 100% coral cover.

Reef scenes from the Great Barrier Reef. If corals can evolve higher temperature tolerances their future under climate change is much improved. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS

###_VARIED_### Snorkellers on a beautiful reef with abundant plating acropora. Mirror-calm day on the outer GBR.

Reef scenes from the Great Barrier Reef. If corals can evolve higher temperature tolerances their future under climate change is much improved. Credit: Ray Berkelmans AIMS

Inshore reefs in the far northern GBR have avoided declines seen elsewhere on the GBR in the last 27 years

Reef scenes from the Great Barrier Reef. If corals can evolve higher temperature tolerances their future under climate change is much improved. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS

Close-up of adult coral (A. millepora). Credit: Mikhail Matz, The University of Texas at Austin

Branching coral is a common coral on Australian reefs. A new study shows it has the genes to adapt to warmer oceans. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS

Branching coral at West Channel, Palau. Credit: Mikhail Matz, The University of Texas at Austin

A.millepora_fluorescent_larvae - Mikhail

Fluorescent larvae of A. millepora coral. Credit: Mikhail Matz, The University of Texas at Austin

Branching coral is common on Australian coral reefs and has several colour morphs – seen together here is a red, yellow and green colony. Credit: Line K Bay, AIMS