Predicting selection–response gradients of heat tolerance in a widespread reef-building coral

Acropora tenuis colonies were collected from three thermally distinctive reefs and reproductively crossed to create 85 offspring lineages. Experiments in heat tolerance were performed in adult and early life stages: larval and settlement. The experiments aimed to understand acquired heat tolerance via outcrossing of offspring phenotypes by comparing five physiological responses: photosynthetic yields bleaching necrosis settlement survival Heat stress experiments were conducted at the larval, settlement and adult stages. Statistical analysis was undertaken for each experiment to examine the differences in larval survival, percentage of settled larvae, and differences in the photophysiologial responses of adults.