Proximity and current alignment drive fertilisation success in a broadcast-spawning coral (Acropora cf. hyacinthus)
, reproductive isolation and patchy breeding units emerged. These findings demonstrate that colony isolation substantially impairs reproductive connectivity, with additional influence from the spatial arrangement of colonies. Conservation strategies should prioritise maintaining colony density and spatial connectivity to support viable coral populations on degraded reefs.
Authors
- Adriana Humanes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7962-2635)
- Christopher Doropoulos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8038-2771)
- James R. Guest (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9714-9009)
- D. Idip
- Apple Pui Yi Chui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9373-4326)
- Jamie R. Stevens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1317-6721)
- Gerard F. Ricardo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2220-3971)
- Elizabeth Buccheri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0890-5464)
- Taison Ka Tai Chang
- Greta Sartori (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8514-9183)
- Iva Popovic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6582-4236)
- Elvis Long-Ching Wong
- Peter J. MUMBY
- Liam Lachs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3712-6144)
- Helios M. Martinez
Institutions
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AU)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
- University of Exeter (GB)
- Palau International Coral Reef Center (PW)
- Republic of Palau Ministry of Health (PW)
- Newcastle University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Biology
- Published
- 2026-05-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10055-9
- Primary Topic
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00