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<p>Turbid reefs, once seen as marginal, are now considered potential refuges for corals under climate stress. This study examines micro-morphological variation that may be consistent with potential plastic responses in two foliose coral species: <i>Echinopora lamellosa</i> and <i>E. pacificus</i>, across turbid and non-turbid sites in East Lombok, Indonesia. A total of 137 specimens from different depths (2&#xa0;m and 4&#xa0;m) and turbidity levels were analysed using ten diagnostic morphological traits. Principal component analysis explained &gt; 97% of the total morphological variance and revealed clear differentiation by site and depth. <i>E. pacificus</i> showed complete separation between populations, while <i>E. lamellosa</i> displayed partial overlap—suggesting a consistent pattern with possible environmentally associated plastic responses. Deep (higher-turbidity) colonies in non-turbid sites resembled shallow (lower-turbidity) colonies in turbid areas, indicating that these patterns may reflect environmentally associated variation rather than fixed traits. Outgroup comparison using a geographically distinct population of the same species confirmed the observed patterns, strengthening the evidence for environment-related variation. The patterns observed may involve phenotypic plasticity or epigenetic changes, which warrants further investigation. These findings highlight that foliose corals exhibit morphological patterns consistent with potential plastic responses to environmental gradients, which may enable them to exploit a wider range of turbidity regimes through their diverse morphometric traits. This underscores their ecological resilience and potential significance for future reef conservation, restoration and management efforts amid turbidity-driven climate change.</p>

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Morphometric patterns and potential plastic responses of the coral Echinopora spp. along turbidity gradients

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月6日

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  • Muhammad Irsyad Abiyusfi Ghafari,
  • Mohd Hanafi Idris,
  • Ezmahamrul Afreen Awalludin,
  • Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal

摘要

Turbid reefs, once seen as marginal, are now considered potential refuges for corals under climate stress. This study examines micro-morphological variation that may be consistent with potential plastic responses in two foliose coral species: Echinopora lamellosa and E. pacificus, across turbid and non-turbid sites in East Lombok, Indonesia. A total of 137 specimens from different depths (2 m and 4 m) and turbidity levels were analysed using ten diagnostic morphological traits. Principal component analysis explained > 97% of the total morphological variance and revealed clear differentiation by site and depth. E. pacificus showed complete separation between populations, while E. lamellosa displayed partial overlap—suggesting a consistent pattern with possible environmentally associated plastic responses. Deep (higher-turbidity) colonies in non-turbid sites resembled shallow (lower-turbidity) colonies in turbid areas, indicating that these patterns may reflect environmentally associated variation rather than fixed traits. Outgroup comparison using a geographically distinct population of the same species confirmed the observed patterns, strengthening the evidence for environment-related variation. The patterns observed may involve phenotypic plasticity or epigenetic changes, which warrants further investigation. These findings highlight that foliose corals exhibit morphological patterns consistent with potential plastic responses to environmental gradients, which may enable them to exploit a wider range of turbidity regimes through their diverse morphometric traits. This underscores their ecological resilience and potential significance for future reef conservation, restoration and management efforts amid turbidity-driven climate change.