The evolutionary history of coral cryptic species and why it matters for coral reefs looking forward.

Dr. Scott Burgess is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University. Originally from Australia, he studies the ecology and evolution of corals in the Pacific Ocean. He has discovered that corals that all look the same are in fact different species - cryptic species. He uses genetics and field studies to identify the evolutionary history of cryptic species and why it matters for coral reefs looking forward. Cryptic species differ in their response to ocean warming (coral bleaching), are found at different depths, and host different species of symbiotic algae. He has discovered new species, and species that have much smaller geographic ranges than previously thought. These results have important implications for understanding the response of coral reefs to climate change, and the efficacy of coral restoration programs. Most of his work is conducted in Mo'orea, French Polynesia.

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