[Tissue data from Keister et al. 2023] - Comparative analysis of tissue biomass and energy reserves of six coral species from nearshore and offshore reefs in Palau, Micronesia during March 2017 (Collaborative Research: Stability, flexibility, and functionality of thermally tolerant coral symbioses)

Interestingly, corals inhabiting these nearshore habitats demonstrate a greater ability to withstand and recover from episodes of thermal stress compared to their offshore counterparts. In order to investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms behind this tolerance, we conducted a comparative analysis of six coral species found in both offshore and nearshore environments.

Specifically, we examined parameters such as tissue biomass (ash-free dry weight cm−2), energy reserves (including protein, total lipid, and carbohydrate content), as well as several crucial lipid classes.