This paper tests the hypothesis that corals can adapt to climate change by exchanging algal types. Data from 43 studies including 442 coral species (stony coral and octocoral) documents that only a minority of coral species are able to change symbionts. The majority of coral species are host to only one zooxanthella clade, and this clade does not change over time. Additionally, these corals do not change algal clades with additional stressors or when transplanted in different environments. Therefore, the majority of coral species do not appear to exhibit algal switching. This paper suggesting that only a small subset of symbiotic corals will survive if global warming continues.
Author: Goulet, T.L.
Year: 2006
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Marine Ecology Progress Series 321: 1-7. doi:10.3354/meps321001
