Coral Clones and Genetic degradation?

[intarsiabox]

I guess anything that reproduces asexually is a clone then. Lots of organisms do it without any problems. I guess the genes stay pure if there is no outside influence so coral frags should be fine indefinetly unless they reproduce sexually? Although I guess reproducing sexually is what gets you all the variations.

[Myka]

I have often wondered the same thing, but have yet to find any sort of definitive answer. Lots of speculation from biologist wannabes (like me haha).