Discovery of Genetically Distinct, Sympatric Coral Lineages With Temporal but Not Gametic Reproductive Isolation.

ABSTRACT: Coral species abundance and biodiversity estimates are typically based on colony macromorphology. However, such measurements often underestimate the true diversity within coral communities because morphology does not necessarily reflect behavioral or genetic divergence. We previously reported on the unusual spawning behavior of the brain coral Diploria labyrinthiformis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Curaçao, Southern Caribbean, where this species spawns in both spring and autumn. Here, using data collected from 2013 to 2021, we show that in Curaçao, D. labyrinthiformis comprises two behaviorally and genetically distinct lineages, with 93% of colonies spawning exclusively in one season or the other. The two lineages could not be distinguished based on obvious macromorphological differences or depth bu

SUBMITTER: Chamberland VF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12617067 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature