Intracolonial genetic variability in corals

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Coral reefs face a world wide decline. This decline corresponds to a decline in coral genotypes and thus to a loss of the potential of adaptation. Despite the obvious concern for coral reefs and their large economic value not much is known about population genetics in corals. Coral colonies have been regarded as genetic entities derived from a single settling coral larvae. It has just recently been discovered that coral colonies are not necessarily genetically homogeneous but may harbour more than one genotype. This intracolonial genetic variability might hold a potential for colony survival under rapidly changing environmental conditions. We are proposing a project that will look at different aspects of intracolonial diversity: E.g., (a) frequency of intracolonial variation in different species; (b) mechanisms leading to multigenotypic individuals; (c) transfer to the next generation (via reproduction); (d) consequences of mosaicism or chimerism. Understanding the patterns and processes of intracolonial genetic diversity will enable us to estimate the potential ecological and evolutionary effects.