Corals are able to cope with climate change and changing sea temperatures better than previously thought, a new study found. Published on Monday, the study led by James Cook University’s (JCU) Coral Centre of Excellence found that coral is good at passing on adaptive traits onto new generations, such as genes for living in warmer sea temperatures. “Our findings show that corals are fighters. They are good at passing beneficial traits onto the next generation and the next—helping them cope with the stresses they face,” lead author Kevin Bairos-Novak said. “And this is what may help them navigate the next few decades better than we previously thought.” The study analysed 95 trait measures across 19 species of reef-building coral. Bairos-Novak said coral that were better at surviving and resisting bleaching stress “should be good” at passing those advantages to their offspring. However, the authors warn that the sea temperatures are …