scholarly journals Prevalent endosymbiont zonation shapes the depth distributions of scleractinian coral species

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 140297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pim Bongaerts ◽  
Margaux Carmichael ◽  
Kyra B. Hay ◽  
Linda Tonk ◽  
Pedro R. Frade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Marine Invertebrate ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Dominant Feature ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Algal Endosymbiont ◽  
Depth Distributions

Bathymetric distributions of photosynthetic marine invertebrate species are relatively well studied, however the importance of symbiont zonation (i.e. hosting of distinct algal endosymbiont communities over depth) in determining these depth distributions still remains unclear. Here, we assess the prevalence of symbiont zonation in tropical scleractinian corals by genotyping the Symbiodinium of the 25 most common species over a large depth range (down to 60 m) on a Caribbean reef. Symbiont depth zonation was found to be common on a reef-wide scale (11 out of 25 coral species), and a dominant feature in species with the widest depth distributions. With regards to reproductive strategy, symbiont zonation was more common in broadcasting species, which also exhibited a higher level of polymorphism in the symbiont zonation (i.e. number of different Symbiodinium profiles involved). Species with symbiont zonation exhibited significantly broader depth distributions than those without, highlighting the role of symbiont zonation in shaping the vertical distributions of the coral host. Overall, the results demonstrate that coral reefs can consist of highly structured communities over depth when considering both the coral host and their obligate photosymbionts, which probably has strong implications for the extent of connectivity between shallow and mesophotic habitats.

scholarly journals Ocean acidification increases photosynthate translocation in a coral–dinoflagellates symbiosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Tremblay ◽  
M. Fine ◽  
J. F. Maguer ◽  
R. Grover ◽  
C. Ferrier-Pagès
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Stylophora Pistillata ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Carbon Translocation ◽  
Tropical Coral

Abstract. This study has examined the effect of an increased seawater pCO2 on the rates of photosynthesis and carbon translocation in the scleractinian coral species Stylophora pistillata using a new model based on 13C-labelling of the photosynthetic products. Symbiont photosynthesis contributes for a large part of the carbon acquisition in tropical coral species and is therefore an important process that may determine their survival under climate change scenarios. Nubbins of S. pistillata were maintained for six months under two pHs (8.1 and 7.2). Rates of photosynthesis and respiration of the symbiotic association and of isolated symbionts were assessed at each pH. The fate of 13C-photosynthates was then followed in the symbionts and the coral host for 48 h. Nubbins maintained at pH 7.2 presented a lower areal symbiont concentration, lower areal rates of gross photosynthesis, and lower carbon incorporation rates compared to nubbins maintained at pH 8.1, therefore suggesting that the total carbon acquisition was lower in this first set of nubbins. However, the total percentage of carbon translocated to the host, as well as the amount of carbon translocated per symbiont cell was significantly higher under pH 7.2 than under pH 8.1 (70% at pH 7.2 versus 60% at pH 8.1), so that the total amount of photosynthetic carbon received by the coral host was equivalent under both pHs (5.5 to 6.1 μg C cm−2 h−1). Although the carbon budget of the host was unchanged, symbionts acquired less carbon for their own needs (0.6 against 1.8 μg C cm−2 h−1), explaining the overall decrease in symbiont concentration at low pH. In the long-term, this decrease might have important consequences for the survival of corals under an acidification stress.

scholarly journals The mushroom coral as a habitat

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert W. Hoeksema ◽  
Sancia E.T. Van der Meij ◽  
Charles H.J.M. Fransen
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Associated Fauna ◽  
Reef Corals ◽  
Symbiotic Relationships ◽  
Mushroom Coral ◽  
Endosymbiotic Algae ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Shallow Seas

The evolution of symbiotic relationships involving reef corals has had much impact on tropical marine biodiversity. Because of their endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) corals can grow fast in tropical shallow seas where they form reefs that supply food, substrate and shelter for other organisms. Many coral symbionts are host-specific, depending on particular coral species for their existence. Some of these animals have become popular objects for underwater photographers and aquarists, whereas others are hardly noticed or considered pests. Loss of a single coral host species also leads to the disappearance of some of its associated fauna. In the present study we show which mushroom corals (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) are known to act as hosts for other organisms, such as acoel flatworms, copepods, barnacles, gall crabs, pontoniine shrimps, mytilid bivalves, epitoniid snails, coralliophilid snails, fish and certain types of zooxanthellae. Several of these associated organisms appear to be host-specific whereas other species are generalists and not even necessarily restricted to fungiid hosts.Heliofungia actiniformisis one of the most hospitable coral species known with a recorded associated fauna consisting of at least 23 species. The availability of a phylogeny reconstruction of the Fungiidae enables comparisons of closely related species of mushroom corals regarding their associated fauna. Application of a phylogenetic ecological analysis indicates that the presence or absence of associated organisms is evolutionarily derived or habitat-induced. Some associations appear to be restricted to certain evolutionary lineages within the Fungiidae, whereas the absence of associated species may be determined by ecomorphological traits of the host corals, such as coral dimensions (coral diameter and thickness) and polyp shape (tentacle size).

Abundance and biology of warty oreo (Allocyttus verrucosus) and spiky oreo (Neocyttus rhomboidalis) (Oreosomatidae) off south-eastern Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lyle ◽  
D. C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Continental Slope ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
South Eastern Australia ◽  
Depth Distributions

The distribution, abundance, size structure, reproductive biology and diet of warty oreo, Allocyttus verrucosus (Gilchrist), and spiky oreo, Neocyttus rhomboidalis (Gilchrist), from the continental slope region (400-1200 m depth) of south-eastern Australia are described. The depth distributions of the two species overlap, with spiky oreo being more abundant in intermediate depths (600-800 m) and warty oreo abundance peaking at greater depths (900-1200 m). There was evidence of size structuring with depth. Warty oreo juveniles and subadults were comparatively more abundant in depths of less than 1000 m and adults dominated at greater depths. In spiky oreo, juveniles were largely restricted to the depth range of 700-900 m. Size at 50% maturity in females was 28 and 35 cm for warty and spiky oreos, respectively. Males mature at slightly smaller sizes. Spawning occurs in May–June for warty oreo and between August and October for spiky oreo. Just prior to spawning in warty oreo the sexes appear to segregate by depth, with females becoming progressively more dominant with depth. Both species are benthopelagic feeders, consuming a range of prey items including crustaceans, fish and squid. Salps were also an important component of the diet of spiky oreo.

scholarly journals SPONGE UMUM DI TERUMBU-TERUMBU KARANG PERAIRAN TAHUNA KAPULAUAN SANGIHE

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Walter Balansa ◽  
Aprelia Martina Tomasoa ◽  
Frets Jonas Rieuwpassa
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Marine Invertebrate ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Acid Digestion ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Ircinia Strobilina

Sponge makin banyak menarik perhatian para ilmuwan di seluruh dunia bukan karena potensi bioekologisnya saja tetapi juga karena potensi kosmetik dan biomedis dari molekul-molekul bioaktif maupun biomaterial sponge. Sangat disayangkan, pengetahuan tentang diversitas sponge di wilayah dengan biodiversitas tertinggi di dunia seperti Sulawesi Utara dan Wallacea pun masih sangat miskin dengan sebagian informasi diversitas sponge wilayah-wilayah ini tersebar dalam literatur-literatur ilmiah yang sudah usang dan terfragmentasi. Studi ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan taksonomi dasar sponge di Sulawesi Utara khusunya di perairan Tahuna Kepulauan Sangihe sekaligus memberikan gambaran umum tentang distribusi dan potensi farmakologis dari sponges yang umum ditemukan di perairan Tahuna. Menggunakan metode acid digestion dan kombinasi mikroskop cahaya dan Corel Draw, kami mengidentifikasi tujuh spesies umum di terumbu karang Tahuna yaitu Agelas nakamurai, Clathria reindwardtii, Ircinia strobilina, Melophus sarasinorum, Speciospohongia vagabunda dan Xestospongia testudinaria. Selain menyentil tentang molekul-molekul bioaktif, tulisan ini juga secara singkat membahas tentang penyebaran ketujuh jenis sponge itu terutama di kawasan Asia Tenggara, selatan Jepang dan Australia untuk memperlihatkan sebaran sekaligus potensi kandungan bioaktif dan biomaterial dari sumberdaya laut amat berharga tetapi terabaikan dalam berbagai program monitoring dan konservasi terumbu karang di Indonesia ini. Sementara M. sarasinorum, S. vagabunda C. reinwardti, dan X. testudinaria terlihat memiliki distribusi sangat luas di wilayah Indo Pasifik, Agelas nakamurai dan I. strobilina sejauh ini baru dilaporkan di perairan Okinawa, Asia Tenggara dan Wallacea meskipun spesies serupa dari kedua genus itu terdistribusi hampir di seluruh Australia. Artikel ini mewakili laporan pertama tentang diversitas, kandungan molekul dan sebaran geografis sponge umum dari perairan Kabupaten Sangihe.   Sponges have attracted considerable attention not only because of their bioecological but also due to cosmetical and medical potentials of bioactive compounds and biomaterials from sponges. Unfortunately, the basic knowledge of this impressive marine invertebrate, even in rich biodiversity region such as North Sulawesi, remains poorly known with such information scattered in old and fragmented literatures. This research aimed to increase the basic taxonomic knowledge and medical potential of seven sponges in Tahuna’s coral reefs  Sangihe Islands as an step to encourage monitoring and concervation of this key species in coral reef in Sangihe Islands. Using acid digestion method and combination of light microscope and Corel Draw, we identified seven common species in Tahuna’s coral reefs namely reinwardti, Ircinia strobilina, Melophus sarasinorum, Speciospongia vagabunda and Xestospongia testudinaria. In addition to providing a quick review on the distribution of these species especially in South East Asia, southern Japan and Australia, the authors also touched on bioactive compounds produced by these animal isolated by one of the authors either from Sangihe Island’s sponges or sponges from other locations to give an overview of the bioactive potential and geographical distributions of the impressive but ignored marine resource in coral reefs’ monitoring and conservation programs in Indonesia. While sepecies such as M. sarasinorum, S. vagabunda C. reinwardti, and X. testudinaria seem to  well distributed in Indopasific, A. nakamurai and I. strobilina are distributed only in south Japan and Wallacea regions although the sibling species of the two sponges have been well reported throughout Australia. This article represents the first report on biodiversity, distribution and bioactive molecules of sponges from Sangihe Islands.

scholarly journals Breakdown of the coral-algae symbiosis: towards formalising a linkage between warm-water bleaching thresholds and the growth rate of the intracellular zooxanthellae

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 8111-8139 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Wooldridge
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Damage ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Crucial Importance ◽  
Thermal Bleaching ◽  
Photosynthetic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Concentrating Mechanisms ◽  
Algal Endosymbiont ◽  
Photosynthetic Machinery ◽  
Characteristic Growth ◽  
Rapid Environmental Change

Abstract. Impairment of the photosynthetic machinery of the algal endosymbiont ("zooxanthellae") is the proximal trigger for the thermal breakdown of the coral-algae symbiosis ("coral bleaching"). Yet, the primary site of thermal damage is not well resolved. In this perspective essay, I consider further a recent hypothesis which proposes an energetic disruption to the carbon-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) of the coral host, and the resultant onset of CO2-limitation within the photosynthetic "dark reactions", as a unifying cellular mechanism. The hypothesis identifies the enhanced retention of photosynthetic carbon for zooxanthellae (re)growth following an initial irradiance-driven expulsion event as the cause of the energetic disruption. If true, then it implies that the onset of the bleaching syndrome and setting of upper thermal bleaching limits are emergent attributes of the coral symbiosis that are ultimately underpinned by the characteristic growth profile of the intracellular zooxanthellae; which is known to depend not just on temperature, but also external (seawater) nutrient availability and zooxanthellae genotype. Here, I review this proposed bleaching linkage at a variety of observational scales, and find it to be parsimonious with the available evidence. This provides a new standpoint to consider the future prospects of the coral symbiosis in an era of rapid environmental change, including the now crucial importance of reef water quality in co-determining thermal bleaching resistance.

scholarly journals Codominance of two symbiont genera within the same coral host is associated with elevated symbiont productivity and lower host susceptibility to thermal stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Abbott ◽  
Groves Dixon ◽  
Mikhail Matz
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ribosomal Genes ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Acropora Hyacinthus ◽  
New Space

As sea surface temperature increases, many coral species that used to harbor symbionts of the genus Cladocopium have become colonized with the thermally tolerant genus, Durusdinium. Here, we asked how symbionts of one genus react to the presence of another symbiont genus within the same coral host, and what effect this has on the host. We used previously published data from Acropora hyacinthus corals hosting Cladocopium and/or Durusdinium symbionts and looked at gene expression in all three symbiotic partners depending on the relative proportions of symbiont genera within the host. We find that both Cladocopium and Durusdinium change their expression most when their proportions are nearly equal (the state that we call “codominance”): both genera elevate expression of photosynthesis and ribosomal genes, suggesting increase in photosynthesis and growth (i.e. higher productivity). At the same time, the coral host also elevates production of ribosomes suggesting faster cellular growth, and, when heated, shows less pronounced stress response. These results can be explained in two ways. One explanation is that increased competition between symbionts heightens their productivity, which benefits the host, making it more resilient to stress. Alternatively, the symbionts’ elevated productivity might be the consequence of the host being particularly healthy. Under this explanation, rapid growth of the healthy host creates new space, lowering the symbionts’ competition and allowing for codominance. The latter explanation is supported by the fact that codominance is associated with lower symbiont densities. Irrespective of the causation, the presence of mixed symbiont communities could potentially be used as an instant indicator of coral well-being, which would be a useful tool for coral conservation and restoration.

scholarly journals Thermal performance of scleractinian corals along a latitudinal gradient on the Great Barrier Reef

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1778) ◽  
pp. 20180546 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jurriaans ◽  
M. O. Hoogenboom
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Physiological Diversity ◽  
Performance Curves ◽  
Local Average

Species have evolved different mechanisms to cope with spatial and temporal temperature variability. Species with broad geographical distributions may be thermal generalists that perform well across a broad range of temperatures, or they might contain subpopulations of locally adapted thermal specialists. We quantified the variation in thermal performance of two coral species, Porites cylindrica and Acropora spp., along a latitudinal gradient over which temperature varies by approximately 6°C. Photosynthesis rates, respiration rates, maximum quantum yield and maximum electron transport rates were measured on coral fragments exposed to an acute temperature increase and decrease up to 5°C above and below the local average temperature. Results showed geographical variation in the performance curves of both species at holobiont and symbiont level, but this did not lead to an alignment of the optimal temperature for performance with the average temperature of the local environment, suggesting suboptimal coral performance of these coral populations in summer. Furthermore, symbiont thermal performance generally had an optimum closer to the average environmental temperature than holobiont performance, suggesting that symbionts have a higher capacity for acclimatization than the coral host, and can aid the coral host when temperatures are unfavourable. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Physiological diversity, biodiversity patterns and global climate change: testing key hypotheses involving temperature and oxygen’.

scholarly journals Codominance of two symbiont genera within the same coral host is associated with elevated symbiont productivity and lower host susceptibility to thermal stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Abbott ◽  
Groves Dixon ◽  
Mikhail Matz
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Transcriptomic Data ◽  
Acropora Hyacinthus ◽  
New Space

AbstractIn recent years, as sea surface temperature increases, many coral species that used to harbor symbionts of the genus Cladocopium have become colonized with the thermally tolerant genus, Durusdinium. Here, we asked how the symbionts of one genus react to the presence of another symbiont genus within the same coral host, and what effect this interaction has on the host. We used previously published transcriptomic data from Acropora hyacinthus corals hosting Cladocopium and/or Durusdinium symbionts and looked at gene expression in all three symbiotic partners depending on the relative proportion of the two symbiont genera within the same host. We find that both Cladocopium and Durusdinium change their expression the most when their proportions within the host are nearly equal (the state that we call “codominance”): both genera elevate expression of photosynthesis and ribosomal genes, suggesting increase in photosynthesis and growth (i.e. higher productivity). At the same time, the coral host also elevates production of ribosomes suggesting faster cellular growth, and, when heated, shows less pronounced stress response. These results can be explained in two alternative ways. One explanation is that increased competition between codominant symbionts switches them to the higher productivity mode, which benefits the host, making it more resilient to stress. Alternatively, the symbionts’ elevated productivity might be not the cause but the consequence of the host being particularly healthy. Under this explanation, rapid growth of the healthy host creates new space, lowering the symbioints’ competition and thus promoting their growth, which allows for codominance to happen where one genus would otherwise outcompete another. The latter explanation is supported by the fact that codominance is associated with lower symbiont densities, assessed as relative proportions of symbiont reads in the data. Irrespective of the causation direction, the presence of mixed symbiont communities could potentially be used as an instant indicator of coral well-being, which would be a useful tool for coral conservation and restoration.

Grenadiers of the World Oceans: Biology, Stock Assessment, and Fisheries

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
The North ◽  
The World ◽  
Mid Atlantic Ridge ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Species Composition And Distribution ◽  
Trawl Catches

<em>Abstract.—</em>The Mid-Atlantic Ridge of the North Atlantic is inhabited by at least 16 macrourid species in 9 genera. The species composition and distribution patterns are analysed based on bottom trawl catches in the depth range 985 to 3461m conducted on the 2004 MAR-ECO expedition between the Azores and the southern Reykjanes Ridge. Some of the species, e.g. roundnose grenadier <em>Coryphaenoides rupestris</em>, <em>C. brevibarbis </em>and abyssal grenadier <em>C. armatus, </em>rank among the most abundant demersal fishes on the ridge or in the deep axial valleys or fracture zones, while others are uncommon or rare. While a few species have apparently restricted northerly or southerly distributions, most are widespread. Among common species that occur along the entire ridge section investigated, there are indications of structuring by depth of occurrence.

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