Hybrid niche-neutral models outperform an otherwise equivalent neutral model for fitting coral reef data

► We evaluate the robustness of the neutral model for coral reefs to niche differentiation. ► We compare the goodness of fit of hybrid niche-neutral models and neutral model. ► Neutral model for coral reefs remains robust to strong niche structure. ► Hybrid niche-neutral models outperform neutral model in coral reefs. ► Individual-based abundance distributions are more powerful than species-based ones.