Evolutionary process in Corals

The Orbicella spp. complex is a major reef builder in the Caribbean exhibiting a vertical distribution that spans the entire photic zone. The contrasting ecological, morphological and physiological traits in these recently diverged coral species offer an ideal system to study how corals specialize to live in different habitats across depth-mediated light gradients and the importance of niche specialization for the maintenance of corals diversity.

Collaborators:

• Carlos Prada (University of Rhode Island)
• Tyler Smith (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Susana Enríquez (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)
• Monica Medina (Penn State University)
• Roberto Iglesias-Prieto (Penn State University)