Scientists create 'Flondurans' hybrid corals to save Florida's dying reefs

Elkhorn corals, once a dominant species in Florida’s reefs, have nearly vanished due to extreme heat. A recent marine heatwave in 2023 wiped out almost all remaining colonies in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Now, scientists are testing a bold solution: cross-breeding Florida’s fragile corals with a hardier variety from Honduras. Before 2023, elkhorn corals thrived across Florida and the Caribbean. They played a key role in reef ecosystems, providing habitat for marine life. But after last year’s record-breaking ocean temperatures, bleaching devastated the population. Too few healthy corals remained for natural recovery.

Andrew Baker, a marine biologist at the University of Miami, searched for answers beyond Florida’s waters. In Tela Bay, Honduras, he discovered elkhorn corals flourishing in warm, polluted conditions. These resilient corals became a focus for restoration efforts.

Baker teamed up with Keri O'Neil, a senior scientist at The Florida Aquarium. Together, they cross-bred Florida’s struggling elkhorn corals with the Honduran variety, creating a hybrid called 'Flondurans'. The goal was simple: produce corals better equipped to handle rising temperatures.

This spring, nearly three dozen lab-grown elkhorn corals—including the first batch of 'Flondurans'—were transplanted onto reefs in Dry Tortugas National Park. Bailey Marquardt, a University of Miami doctoral student, led the outplanting in April. The experiment will test whether these cross-bred corals can survive where Florida’s native species have failed. The outplanting marks a critical step in coral restoration. If the 'Flondurans' thrive, they could offer a lifeline for Florida’s dying reefs. Scientists will monitor their progress closely in the coming months.