Coral bleaching, geological ranges, and adaptation to high sea surface temperatures

Abstract

Coral bleaching was described in Kikai-jima (Kikai Island) in October, 1998. Mortality of coral species belonging to the families Acroporidae and Pocilloporidae was the highest of all scleractinian corals in this island. In contrast, some species of the genera Psammocora and Pavona were never or seldom damaged. These results were similar to those observed in the other Indo-Pacific regions. Significant differences in mortality among families could be attributed to the their geological ranges. The species that were free from appreciable damages by bleaching belong to the families which first appeared in the geological periods when the climate was globally warm (greenhouse periods).