Factors Limiting the Range Extension of Corals into High-Latitude Reef Regions

Reef-building corals show a marked decrease in total species richness from the tropics to high latitude regions. Several hypotheses have been proposed account for this pattern context of abiotic and biotic factors, including temperature thresholds, light limitation, aragonite saturation, nutrient or sediment loads, larval dispersal constraints, competition with macro-algae other invertebrates, availability suitable settlement cues micro-algal symbionts. Surprisingly, there is paucity data supporting several these hypotheses. Given immense pressures faced by Anthropocene, it critical understand factors limiting their distribution order predict potential range expansions role that reefs can play as refuges climate change. This review examines outlines research areas address knowledge gaps our understanding light/temperature interactions, coral-Symbiodiniaceae associations, cues, reefs.