After a breakup, coral embryos live on as clones

Afloat in the ocean, the newly dividing cell masses shatter easy, die hard

Choppy waters and even mellow surf can knock drifting coral embryos to bits. But it takes more than shattering to kill these resilient young animals. The fragments turn out to have the power to keep on growing as clones.

TOSSED AT SEA Battered coral embryos three hours after fertilization show a mix of fragments and intact individuals.