Samples collected from Lady Musgrave Island have formed part of research looking into the resilience of coral populations in the Great Barrier Reef.
The University of Queensland study collected samples from two coral larvae species from the entire reef area.
PhD Candidate Zoe Meziere said breeding distances are key in coral survival in the face of climate change and other environmental pressures.
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“Species that don’t disperse or breed as far are more likely to form isolated populations,” Ms Meziere said.
“This is the first quantitative study of both ecological and evolutionary connectivity in corals.”
The research also found further dispersing of larvae over greater distances and sharing of genetic material can help coral populations recover.
