scholarly journals Photosynthesis and respiration of the soft coral Xenia umbellata respond to warming but not to organic carbon eutrophication

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11663
Author(s):  
Susana Marcela Simancas-Giraldo ◽  
Nan Xiang ◽  
Meghan Moger Kennedy ◽  
Rassil Nafeh ◽  
Edoardo Zelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Ocean Warming ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Photosynthesis And Respiration

Eutrophication with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as a far under-investigated stressor, and ocean warming, can strongly affect coral reefs and hard corals as major reefs ecosystem engineers. However, no previous studies have investigated the metabolic responses of soft corals to DOC eutrophication, or its interaction with ocean warming. Thus, we investigated respiration and photosynthesis response of Xenia umbellata, a common mixotrophic soft coral from the Indo-pacific, to (1) three levels of DOC eutrophication simulated by glucose addition over the first 21 days of experiment and (2) ocean warming scenarios where the temperature was gradually increased from 26 °C (control condition) to 32 °C over another 24 days in an aquarium experiment. We found no significant difference in response to DOC treatments and all corals survived regardless of the DOC concentrations, whilst subsequent exposure to simulated ocean warming significantly decreased gross photosynthesis by approximately 50% at 30 °C, and 65% at 32 °C, net photosynthesis by 75% at 30 °C and 79% at 32 °C, and respiration by a maximum of 75% at 30 °C; with a slight increase at 32 °C of 25%. The ratio between gross photosynthesis and respiration decreased by the end of the warming period but remained similar between controls and colonies previously exposed to DOC. Our findings suggest that soft corals may be more resistant than hard corals to DOC eutrophication and in consequence, may potentially experiment in less magnitude the negative effects of increased temperature or subsequently both stressors. The results of this study may contribute to explain the successful role of soft corals in phase shifts as reported from many coral reefs. Where predicted declines in reef ecosystems health due to increased eutrophication levels can be exacerbated by future warming.

scholarly journals Laju Pertumbuhan dan Pertumbuhan Mutlak Karang Lunak Cladiella sp. pada Substrat yang Berbeda

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Diah Putri Fitriani ◽  
Muhammad Zainuri ◽  
Wahyu Andy Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Dead Coral ◽  
Absolute Growth Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Absolute Growth ◽  
Hard Substrates ◽  
Selection Of

Soft corals have a soft textured skeletal like tiny spikes made of calcium carbonate present in their tissues. In general, soft corals are attached to hard substrates in the bottom of the waters. This study aims to determine the survival rate, relative and absolute growth rate, and comparison of soft coral growth rates on different substrates. The survival rate obtained was 100%, or 20 soft coral fragments lived until the end of the study. The growth rate and absolute growth of soft coral is relatively varied due to environmental and water quality, with the highest growth rate and absolute growth found in rubble substrate. week and 2,875 cm / week. There was no significant difference in growth rate of soft coral Cladiella sp. on the different substrate. In transplantation or soft coral cultivation activities, the selection of substrates becomes very important, and it is recommended to use rubble or dead coral substrates. Karang lunak mempunyai tekstur  kerangka yang lunak berupa duri-duri kecil dari kalsium karbonat yang ada dalam jaringan tubuhnya. Pada umumnya karang lunak melekat pada substrat yang keras di dasar perairan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat kelangsungan hidup, laju pertumbuhan relatif dan mutlak, dan perbandingan laju pertumbuhan karang lunak pada substrat yang berbeda. Tingkat kelangsungan hidup yang didapatkan yaitu 100 % atau 20 fragmen karang lunak dapat hidup sampai akhir penelitian. Laju pertumbuhan karang lunak relatif bervariasi karena pengaruh lingkungan dan kualitas air. Laju pertumbuhan dan pertumbuhan mutlak karang lunak Cladiella sp. relatif bervariasi karena pengaruh perbedaan substrat yang berbeda, dengan laju pertumbuhan dan pertumbuhan mutlak tertinggi ditemukan pada substrat rubble. Tidak ada perbedaan yang nyata pada laju pertumbuhan karang lunak Cladiella sp. pada substrat yang berbeda. Pada kegiatan transplantasi ataupun budidaya karang lunak, pemilihan substrat menjadi sangat penting, dan disarankan untuk menggunakan substrat rubble atau karang mati.

scholarly journals Organic eutrophication increases resistance of the pulsating soft coral Xenia umbellata to warming

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9182
Author(s):  
Svea Vollstedt ◽  
Nan Xiang ◽  
Susana Marcela Simancas-Giraldo ◽  
Christian Wild
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Phase Shifts ◽  
Ocean Warming ◽  
Simultaneous Occurrence ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Additional Energy ◽  
Glucose Addition

Recent research indicates that hard corals in a process that is termed phase shift are often replaced by soft corals in reefs. The simultaneous occurrence of local (i.e. organic eutrophication as highly under-investigated parameter) and global (i.e. ocean warming) factors may facilitate these phase shifts as hard corals are negatively affected by both ocean warming and organic eutrophication. Knowledge about soft coral responses to environmental change remains incomplete, although these organisms are becoming important players in reefs. The present study thus investigated the individual and combined effects of organic eutrophication (as glucose addition) and warming on the ecological data of the pulsating soft coral Xenia umbellata. We assessed health status, growth and pulsation rates of soft corals in a 45 day aquarium experiment, with first manipulation of organic eutrophication (no, low, medium and high glucose addition) over 21 days followed by step-wise increases in water temperature from 26 to 32 °C over 24 days. Findings revealed that glucose addition did not affect health status, growth and pulsation rates of the investigated soft corals. Under simulated ocean warming, soft corals that had experienced organic eutrophication before, maintained significantly higher pulsation rates (averaging 22 beats per minute—bpm) and no mortality compared to the controls that showed a decrease of 56% (averaging 15 bpm) in pulsation rates and mortality of 30% at water temperatures of 32 °C compared to 26 °C. This apparently positive effect of organic eutrophication on the ecological data of soft corals under an ocean warming scenario decreased with increasing water temperature. This study thus indicates that (a) organic eutrophication as additional energy source up to a certain threshold may increase the resistance of soft corals to ocean warming and (b) pulsation rates of soft corals may be used as inexpensive, easily detectable, and non-invasive early warning indicator for ocean warming effects on benthic reef communities. When comparing findings of this study for soft corals with previous results for hard corals, it can be assumed that soft corals under the predicted increases of organic eutrophication and warming gain more and more competitive advantages. This may further facilitate phase shifts from hard to soft corals in warming reefs.

scholarly journals Pertumbuhan Transplan Karang Lunak Sinularia polydactyla dan S. asterolobata Berdasarkan Metode Tebar Dasar dan Penempelan Substrat Pada Lokasi yang Berbeda

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
I Dewa Anom Agung Dwi Putra Jayantika ◽  
IGB Sila Dharma ◽  
Widiastuti Widiastuti
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Average Survival ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Soft coral transplantations are widely used for rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems and commercial needs with common method are substrated-attached and placed on the metal table frame. These methods are considered as costly. This study aimed to examine the difference in the average growth of transplanted soft corals Sinularia polydactyla and S. asterolobata, spreading on the seabed and substrate-attached methods at different location. Transplantation was conducted inside and outside Pegametan Bay, Buleleng. Soft coral fragments were spread on the seabed and attached with cement. The increased sizes and survival rates of the transplanted soft corals were observed every two weeks. The differences in the average growth rates among soft coral species, transplantation methods and locations were analyzed by three-factor ANOVA and survival rates were analyzed by using the Log-Rank test. The results showed no significant difference in the average growth rates between S. polydactyla and S. asterolobata (P =0,104) and transplantation methods (P=0,141). The average growth rate of transplanted soft corals outside was significantly higher (P=0,025) than those inside the bay. This study indicated that the interaction between soft coral species, methods, and location significantly differed the average growth rates of the transplanted soft corals. The average survival rates demonstrated that there was no significant difference among transplanted soft coral species within similar locations in both methods. In contrast, the average survival rates of transplanted soft coral outside were significantly higher than those inside the bay in both methods that reached >80%.

scholarly journals The Effect of Increasing Temperature and Feeding Time on Feeding Rate on Soft Coral Sarcophyton sp. and Sinularia sp.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Mahayoni Aksari ◽  
Ni Luh Watiniasih ◽  
Widiastuti Widiastuti
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Temperature Tolerance ◽  
Artemia Salina ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Increased Temperature ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Increasing Temperature

Soft corals (Alcyoniidae) can obtain the nutrients through the algae symbiont (zooxanthellae) and/or captures the prey with their tentacles. Increased mean sea surface temperatures cause damage to coral reef ecosystems, one of those mechanisms is reducing the feeding capacity in soft corals. Thus, this study aims to examine the feeding rates of soft corals Sinularia sp. and Sarcophyton sp. at different temperatures, to determine the effect of increasing temperature, feeding time and interaction between those factors on feeding rates of soft corals Sarcophyton sp. and Sinularia sp. samples of Soft corals were obtained from the cultured of PT. Dinar Darum Lestari in Sumberkima Bay Waters, Buleleng Regency. before the experiment, coral fragments were acclimatized for 2 weeks and fed twice a week at 26 ° C (control temperature). The Experiment started by increasing the water temperature in the aquarium 1°C every hour to reach 31°C (stress temperature). Once the temperature reached, it held for 5 days. Each aquarium (26 and 31°C) was fed by Artemia salina on the second and fourth days with density 100 animals/fragments in the morning for 3 hours. The remained prey was taken by Pasteur pipette and counted manually. The results showed that there was no significant difference of feeding rates in Sarcophyton sp. dan Sinularia sp. at both control and stress temperatures because both types of soft coral fragments have relatively the same temperature tolerance. The increased temperature significantly affected the feeding rate in both soft corals (P <0,000). However, feeding time and interaction between temperature and feeding time did not have a significant effect on the feeding rate. It is assumed that the increased temperature reduces the feeding rate in these soft corals. Moreover, these soft coral seems stress due to continuously incubate in high temperature (31°C) caused no significant difference in the feeding rates at all feeding times.  keywords: soft coral, Sarcophyton sp., Sinularia sp., increased temperature., feeding rate, feeding time

scholarly journals Productivity and carbon fluxes depend on species and symbiont density in soft coral symbioses

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloé A. Pupier ◽  
Maoz Fine ◽  
Vanessa N. Bednarz ◽  
Cécile Rottier ◽  
Renaud Grover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Isotope Tracer ◽  
Metabolic Interactions ◽  
Photosynthate Translocation ◽  
Tracer Experiments

AbstractSoft corals often constitute one of the major benthic groups of coral reefs. Although they have been documented to outcompete reef-building corals following environmental disturbances, their physiological performance and thus their functional importance in reefs are still poorly understood. In particular, the acclimatization to depth of soft corals harboring dinoflagellate symbionts and the metabolic interactions between these two partners have received little attention. We performed stable isotope tracer experiments on two soft coral species (Litophyton sp. and Rhytisma fulvum fulvum) from shallow and upper mesophotic Red Sea coral reefs to quantify the acquisition and allocation of autotrophic carbon within the symbiotic association. Carbon acquisition and respiration measurements distinguish Litophyton sp. as mainly autotrophic and Rhytisma fulvum fulvum as rather heterotrophic species. In both species, carbon acquisition was constant at the two investigated depths. This is a major difference from scleractinian corals, whose carbon acquisition decreases with depth. In addition, carbon acquisition and photosynthate translocation to the host decreased with an increase in symbiont density, suggesting that nutrient provision to octocoral symbionts can quickly become a limiting factor of their productivity. These findings improve our understanding of the biology of soft corals at the organism-scale and further highlight the need to investigate how their nutrition will be affected under changing environmental conditions.

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of the 14C Technique and Its Use in Studies of Primary Production

1976 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis A. Hobson ◽  
W. James Morris ◽  
Kathleen T. Pirquet
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Rate Constants ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Marine Phytoplankton ◽  
Theoretical Studies ◽  
Continuous Irradiation ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Photosynthesis And Respiration

Theoretical and experimental field studies of 14C uptake by marine phytoplankton were carried out to determine environmental conditions required for the technique to measure net photosynthesis. Results of theoretical studies indicate that rapidly metabolizing populations (rate constants for gross photosynthesis and respiration of 0.1 h−1 and 0.007 h−1 respectively) may saturate with 14C after about 30 h of continuous irradiation. Results of field studies indicate that a minimum of 24 h are required for net photosynthesis to be measured when daily irradiations exceed 20 cal cm−2 and nutrient limitation of photosynthesis does not occur. Additional measurements that may be made to aid in interpreting results obtained by the 14C technique are briefly discussed.

Effects of pCO2 on photosynthesis and respiration of tropical scleractinian corals and calcified algae

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1092-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Comeau ◽  
R. C. Carpenter ◽  
P. J. Edmunds
Keyword(s):  
Dark Respiration ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Photosynthesis And Respiration

The effects of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reefs have been studied thoroughly with a focus on the response of calcification of corals and calcified algae. However, there are still large gaps in our knowledge of the effects of OA on photosynthesis and respiration of these organisms. Comparisons among species and determination of the functional relationships between pCO2 and either photosynthesis or respiration are difficult using previously published data, because experimental conditions typically vary widely between studies. Here, we tested the response of net photosynthesis, gross photosynthesis, dark respiration, and light-enhanced dark respiration (LEDR) of eight coral taxa and seven calcified alga taxa to six different pCO2 levels (from 280 to 2000 µatm). Organisms were maintained during 7–10 days incubations in identical conditions of light, temperature, and pCO2 to facilitate comparisons among species. Net photosynthesis was not affected by pCO2 in seven of eight corals or any of the algae; gross photosynthesis did not respond to pCO2 in six coral taxa and six algal taxa; dark respiration also was unaffected by pCO2 in six coral and six algae; and LEDR did not respond to pCO2 in any of the tested species. Overall, our results show that pCO2 levels up to 2000 µatm likely will not fertilize photosynthesis or modify respiration rates of most of the main calcifiers on the back reef of Moorea, French Polynesia.

scholarly journals TUTUPAN KARANG LUNAK DI PERAIRAN DESA PANDANGA KABUPATEN PULAU MOROTAI

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
Kismanto Koroy ◽  
Nurafni Nurafni ◽  
Nurman Husain
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Flat ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Flat Area

Terumbu karang memiliki keunikan diantara asosiasi atau komunitas lautan yang seluruhnya dibentuk oleh kegiatan biologis. Umumnya terdapat karang keras (hard coral) dan karang lunak (soft coral). Karang lunak (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) merupakan hewan anggota Colenterata yang hidup di perairan dangkal tropis dan subtropis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi karang lunak, dan menganalisis persen tutupan terumbu karang pada daerah rataan dan daerah tubir di perairan Desa Pandanga, Kabupaten Pulau Morotai. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan November - Desember 2019. Pengambilan data karang menggunakan metode LIT, dengan menetapkan 4 (empat) stasiun pengamatan masing-masing stasiun yang dibagi menjadi 2 (dua) daerah yaitu pada daerah tubir dan rataan. Setiap lifeform karang yang dilewati transek di dokumentasi dalam bentuk gambar yang selanjutnya akan diidentifikasi dan menghitung persentase tutupan karang lunak. Hasil penelitian menunjukan karang lunak yang ditemukan sebanyak 7 (tujuh) genus yaitu Sinularia, Isis, Cladiella, Lobophytum, Sarcophyton, Klyxum, dan Rumphella. Hasil analisis persen tutupan tertinggi untuk semua stasiun terdapat pada genus Sinularia (20,6%) di daerah tubir, sedangkan pada daerah rataan dengan persentase tertinggi terdapat pada genus Lobophytum (8,0%).SOFT CORAL COVERAGE IN PANDANGA VILLAGE WATERS, MOROTAI ISLAND REGENCY. Coral reefs are unique among oceanic associations or communities that are entirely formed by biological activities. Generally there are hard corals and soft corals. Soft corals Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) are members of the Colenterata that live in tropical and subtropical shallow waters. The aim of this study was to identify soft corals and analyze the percent cover of coral reefs in the flat areas and slope areas in the waters of Pandanga Village, Morotai Island Regency. This research was conducted in November - December 2019. The collection of coral data using the LIT method, by determine 4 (four) observation stations of each station which are divided into 2 (two) regions that in reef flat areas and reef slope areas. Each coral lifeform crossed by a transect is in the form of an image which will then be identified and calculate the percentage of soft coral cover. The results showed that there were 7 (seven) genera of soft corals Sinularia, Isis, Cladiella, Lobophytum, Sarcophyton, Klyxum, and Rumphella. The results of the highest percent cover analysis for all stations are in the genus Sinularia (20.6%) in the flat area, in reef flat areas the highest percentage in the genus Lobophytum (8.0%).

scholarly journals Species Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Sarcophyton-Associated Marine Fungi

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3227
Author(s):  
Yuanwei Liu ◽  
Kishneth Palaniveloo ◽  
Siti Aisyah Alias ◽  
Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Marine Fungi ◽  
Indole Alkaloids ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Soft Corals ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Symbiotic Relationships ◽  
Bioactive Secondary Metabolites

Soft corals are widely distributed across the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, with Sarcophyton being one of the most abundant genera. To date, there have been 50 species of identified Sarcophyton. These soft corals host a diverse range of marine fungi, which produce chemically diverse, bioactive secondary metabolites as part of their symbiotic nature with the soft coral hosts. The most prolific groups of compounds are terpenoids and indole alkaloids. Annually, there are more bio-active compounds being isolated and characterised. Thus, the importance of the metabolite compilation is very much important for future reference. This paper compiles the diversity of Sarcophyton species and metabolites produced by their associated marine fungi, as well as the bioactivity of these identified compounds. A total of 88 metabolites of structural diversity are highlighted, indicating the huge potential these symbiotic relationships hold for future research.

scholarly journals Multi-domain probiotic consortium as an alternative to chemical remediation of oil spills at coral reefs and adjacent sites

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise P. Silva ◽  
Helena D. M. Villela ◽  
Henrique F. Santos ◽  
Gustavo A. S. Duarte ◽  
José Roberto Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Oil Contamination ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Corexit 9500 ◽  
Coral Health ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Beginning in the last century, coral reefs have suffered the consequences of anthropogenic activities, including oil contamination. Chemical remediation methods, such as dispersants, can cause substantial harm to corals and reduce their resilience to stressors. To evaluate the impacts of oil contamination and find potential alternative solutions to chemical dispersants, we conducted a mesocosm experiment with the fire coral Millepora alcicornis, which is sensitive to environmental changes. We exposed M. alcicornis to a realistic oil-spill scenario in which we applied an innovative multi-domain bioremediator consortium (bacteria, filamentous fungi, and yeast) and a chemical dispersant (Corexit® 9500, one of the most widely used dispersants), to assess the effects on host health and host-associated microbial communities. Results The selected multi-domain microbial consortium helped to mitigate the impacts of the oil, substantially degrading the polycyclic aromatic and n-alkane fractions and maintaining the physiological integrity of the corals. Exposure to Corexit 9500 negatively impacted the host physiology and altered the coral-associated microbial community. After exposure, the abundances of certain bacterial genera such as Rugeria and Roseovarius increased, as previously reported in stressed or diseased corals. We also identified several bioindicators of Corexit 9500 in the microbiome. The impact of Corexit 9500 on the coral health and microbial community was far greater than oil alone, killing corals after only 4 days of exposure in the flow-through system. In the treatments with Corexit 9500, the action of the bioremediator consortium could not be observed directly because of the extreme toxicity of the dispersant to M. alcicornis and its associated microbiome. Conclusions Our results emphasize the importance of investigating the host-associated microbiome in order to detect and mitigate the effects of oil contamination on corals and the potential role of microbial mitigation and bioindicators as conservation tools. Chemical dispersants were far more damaging to corals and their associated microbiome than oil, and should not be used close to coral reefs. This study can aid in decision-making to minimize the negative effects of oil and dispersants on coral reefs.

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