Thermal performance of scleractinian corals along a latitudinal gradient on the Great Barrier Reef.

ABSTRACT: Species have evolved different mechanisms to cope with spatial and temporal temperature variability. Species with broad geographical distributions may be thermal generalists that perform well across a broad range of temperatures, or they might contain subpopulations of locally adapted thermal specialists. We quantified the variation in thermal performance of two coral species, Porites cylindrica and Acropora spp., along a latitudinal gradient over which temperature varies by approximately 6°C. Photosynthesis rates, respiration rates, maximum quantum yield and maximum electron transport rates were measured on coral fragments exposed to an acute temperature increase and decrease up to 5°C above and below the local average temperature. Results showed geographical variation in the performance

SUBMITTER: Jurriaans S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6606464 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature