Marine Mules: Near-sterile hyrids boost coral diversity

Some of the considerable biodiversity of corals may come from underwater versions of mules, say researchers.

FAMILY PORTRAIT. Two species of coral (center and right) in the Caribbean hybridize to produce a third form (left). H. Ruiz

Genetic analysis of what were once considered three species of Caribbean Acropora coral confirms that one of them is actually a collection of first-generation hybrids of the other two, says Steven V.