The evolution of mid Paleocene-early Eocene coral communities: How to survive during rapid global warming

► Mid Paleocene-Early Eocene zooxanthellate corals with reef-building potential. ► Multi-step evolution of corals with progressive reduction of reef-building potential. ► Shift towards thermal stress- and high turbidity/nutrients-tolerant communities. ► Expansion of non-reef building corals related to ocean chemistry perturbations.