Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Joseph D. D. Unsworth, Dalton Hesley, Martine D'Alessandro, Jane V. V. Carrick, Madeline Kaufman, Nicolas Rivas, Diego Lirman
Summary: A primary objective of coral restoration is to develop large, sexually reproductive colonies for reseeding degraded reefs. However, Acropora cervicornis restoration usually involves outplanting large individuals spaced apart, which contrasts with the species' tendency to form dense thickets with multiple colonies and genotypes nearby. This study found that outplanting dense clusters of small, monoclonal fragments spaced closely together had equivalent growth and higher survivorship compared to large individuals, regardless of genotypic diversity. These findings support the use of dense, polyclonal clusters for cultivating large, resilient A. cervicornis colonies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven W. J. Canty, Graeme Fox, Jennifer K. Rowntree, Richard F. Preziosi
Summary: The study found low genetic diversity among coral colonies in hope spots like Cordelia Bank, but demonstrated subtle genetic differences within and among banks. Despite approximately 30% clonality across each bank, each identified genotype within the banks was unique.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wyatt C. Million, Maria Ruggeri, Sibelle O'Donnell, Erich Bartels, Trinity Conn, Cory J. Krediet, Carly D. Kenkel
Summary: Genotype-by-environment interactions are crucial for the persistence and restoration strategies of tropical coral reefs. Through a transplant experiment on Acropora cervicornis, we found significant GxE effects on coral size, shape, and survivorship, with individual-level morphological plasticity positively influencing growth and survival.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
J. Grace Klinges, Shalvi H. Patel, William C. Duke, Erinn M. Muller, Rebecca L. Vega Thurber
Summary: The study found that nutrient-enriched water increased total bacterial abundance, but only the addition of phosphate significantly changed the dominance of the parasite Aquarickettsia. This suggests that nutrient pollution may play a role in increasing coral disease susceptibility and severity.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Dayana Rada-Osorio, Luis A. Gomez-Lemos, Rocio Garcia-Uruena
Summary: This study aimed to document the early life history of A. cervicornis, finding that embryogenesis lasted for 63 hours and larvae began to settle 8 days after fertilization. There were no significant differences in settlement between surfaces, but survival on rugose surfaces was lower due to sediment accumulation and turf algae.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raymond B. Banister, Robert van Woesik
Summary: An integrated Bayesian approach was used to determine which Florida reefs ranked highest in terms of Acropora cervicornis colony survival from 2012 to 2018. Results showed highly variable survival rates in different regions and reefs, with lower survival rates in reefs exposed to high wave energy and higher rates in Biscayne Bay. Spatial latent effects of low survival were detected, particularly between 2015 and 2017 in the middle and upper Florida Keys, emphasizing the need for strategic outplanting of nursery-reared colonies to optimize coral population recovery in Florida.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rocio Garcia-Uruena, Sheila A. Kitchen, Nikolaos Schizas
Summary: Using a standardized SNP array, two populations of Acropora cervicornis and one population of A. palmata were identified in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The study supports previous bio-physical model predictions and suggests the Panama-Colombia gyre as a possible isolating mechanism within the western Caribbean. However, the lower genetic diversity in both species, along with their relative isolation and high levels of reef degradation, raises concerns for conservation and may require species-specific management and restoration efforts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leah Maurer, Lauren Puishys, Nancy Kim Pham Ho, Craig Dahlgren, Tanya Y. Kamerman, Scott Martin, M. Andrew Stamper
Summary: This study analyzes the survival and design durability of two coral nurseries in The Bahamas, showing that the design is very durable with materials showing a life expectancy of five years or more. The survivorship ranged from 70 to 97% and only two maintenance visits a year were required.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul Maneval, Charles A. Jacoby, Holden E. Harris, Thomas K. Frazer
Summary: Growing corals in nurseries and outplanting them to supplement declining natural populations have shown significant progress globally. Consideration of genotype selection and nursery design and location can lead to increased production and reduced maintenance efforts.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Macarena Blanco-Pimentel, Carly D. Kenkel, Sheila A. Kitchen, Johanna Calle-Trivino, Iliana B. Baums, Camilo Cortes-Useche, Megan K. Morikawa
Summary: Reef restoration efforts aim to enhance resilience by safeguarding the genetic diversity of coral populations. This study explores the use of a grafting method based on self-recognition phenomena to estimate genotypic diversity in Caribbean coral. The results show that this method is highly accurate and can be a powerful tool for assessing genetic diversity and tracking key traits in coral nurseries.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanna R. R. Koch, Briana Matthews, Celia Leto, Cody Engelsma, Erich Bartels
Summary: With the decline of coral reefs worldwide, there is increased investment in restoration-based interventions, including asexual and sexual propagation. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Florida's Coral Reef and is performing critical research and restoration activities related to assisted sexual reproduction (ASR). The study aims to optimize ASR of Acropora cervicornis and provides detailed protocols and general recommendations based on years of experience in coral sexual propagation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheryl Hankins, Elizabeth Moso, Danielle Lasseigne
Summary: Experimental results show that the intake of microplastics by scleractinian coral is influenced by environmental factors, and long-term exposure has negative effects on their growth responses.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martina M. Plafcan, Christopher D. Stallings
Summary: Microplastic pollution may harm coral reefs, but it is unclear how it interacts with rising ocean temperatures. Experimental research on threatened Caribbean corals showed that elevated temperatures caused bleaching, while microplastics did not have significant effects on bleaching, although the responses to microplastics may vary depending on organisms and plastic conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johanna Calle-Trivino, Aaron Israel Muniz-Castillo, Camilo Cortes-Useche, Megan Morikawa, Rita Sellares-Blasco, Jesus Ernesto Arias-Gonzalez
Summary: Research has shown that in the process of coral reef restoration, the impact of outplanted coral colonies on environmental ecological function is positive, which can promote the recovery of coral reef ecosystems and enhance ecological functions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Martina M. Plafcan, Christopher D. Stallings
Summary: The study found that high temperatures pose a greater threat to corals, while the effects of microplastics on corals are more complex and may vary depending on species or plastic conditions. Although research on microplastics is increasing, further studies are needed to fully understand their impact on corals.
PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
A. G. Grottoli, R. J. Toonen, R. van Woesik, R. Vega Thurber, M. E. Warner, R. H. McLachlan, J. T. Price, K. D. Bahr, I. B. Baums, K. D. Castillo, M. A. Coffroth, R. Cunning, K. L. Dobson, M. J. Donahue, J. L. Hench, R. Iglesias-Prieto, D. W. Kemp, C. D. Kenkel, D. Kline, I. B. Kuffner, J. L. Matthews, A. B. Mayfield, J. L. Padilla-Gamino, S. Palumbi, C. R. Voolstra, V. M. Weis, H. C. Wu
Summary: The importance of integrating diverse studies on coral bleaching to combat this global issue is highlighted. A common framework for coral bleaching experiments is proposed to enhance comparability among studies without stifling innovation. Transparency in methods used would strengthen comparisons and facilitate conservation strategies to mitigate coral bleaching worldwide.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maha J. Cziesielski, Carlos M. Duarte, Nojood Aalismail, Yousef Al-Hafedh, Andrea Anton, Faiyah Baalkhuyur, Andrew C. Baker, Thorsten Balke, Iliana B. Baums, Michael Berumen, Vasiliki I. Chalastani, Brendan Cornwell, Daniele Daffonchio, Karen Diele, Ehtesaam Farooq, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Song He, Catherine E. Lovelock, Elizabeth McLeod, Peter I. Macreadie, Nuria Marba, Cecilia Martin, Marcelle Muniz-Barreto, Kirshnakumar P. Kadinijappali, Perdana Prihartato, Lotfi Rabaoui, Vincent Saderne, Sebastian Schmidt-Roach, David J. Suggett, Michael Sweet, John Statton, Sam Teicher, Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, Thadickal V. Joydas, Razan Yahya, Manuel Aranda
Summary: The coastal and marine ecosystems in the unique environment of the Red Sea have adapted and flourished for millennia, providing socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bordering coastlines and countries. While the coral reef ecosystems in the Red Sea appear to be relatively healthier compared to global trends, they are still vulnerable to stressors such as increasing ocean temperature, acidification, and pollution. Degradation of marine habitats in many regions, coupled with increasing population pressure and coastal development projects, poses environmental costs and significant economic losses. Investment in blue natural capital and strategic development model focusing on the health of natural ecosystems can safeguard the sustainable development of the Red Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah G. Reich, Sheila A. Kitchen, Kathryn H. Stankiewicz, Meghann Devlin-Durante, Nicole D. Fogarty, Iliana B. Baums
Summary: Research has shown genetic differentiation among Symbiodinium 'fitti' strains from different host taxa, likely influenced by unique selection pressures from host-associated microenvironments. The non-random sorting of S. 'fitti' strains to different hosts may be the basis for ecological specialization and ultimately speciation.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sheila A. Kitchen, C. Cornelia Osborne, Nicole D. Fogarty, Iliana B. Baums
Summary: The study found that the morphology of Caribbean Acropora corals is not necessarily linked to their maternal species and cannot be predicted by mitochondrial haplogroups. Expert classification showed lower accuracy in identifying hybrids and A. palmata.
Article
Ecology
Lydia J. Baker, Hannah G. Reich, Sheila A. Kitchen, J. Grace Klinges, Hanna R. Koch, Iliana B. Baums, Erinn M. Muller, Rebecca Vega Thurber
Summary: This study investigated the infection and ecology of the symbiont Candidatus Aquarickettsia rohweri in threatened Acropora corals, finding that the infection magnitude is influenced by coral host and geographic location. Phylogenomic analysis showed clustering by geographic region, with positive selection observed in Florida populations due to greater nutrient stress. Aquarickettsia was not found to codiversify significantly with coral animal or algal symbiont, suggesting horizontal transmission as the likely route of infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mary Hagedorn, Christopher A. Page, Keri L. O'Neil, Daisy M. Flores, Lucas Tichy, Trinity Conn, Valerie F. Chamberland, Claire Lager, Nikolas Zuchowicz, Kathryn Lohr, Harvey Blackburn, Tali Vardi, Jennifer Moore, Tom Moore, Iliana B. Baums, Mark J. A. Vermeij, Kristen L. Marhaver
Summary: The study demonstrated the successful use of cryopreserved sperm for assisted gene flow in corals, showing it to be a viable conservation tool to increase genetic diversity in threatened marine populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Tali Vardi, Whitney C. Hoot, Jessica Levy, Elizabeth Shaver, R. Scott Winters, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Iliana B. Baums, Valerie Chamberland, Nathan Cook, David Gulko, Margaux Y. Hein, Les Kaufman, Michelle Loewe, Petra Lundgren, Caitlin Lustic, Petra MacGowan, Mikhail Matz, Miles McGonigle, Ian McLeod, Jennifer Moore, Tom Moore, Sandrine Pivard, F. Joseph Pollock, Baruch Rinkevich, David J. Suggett, Samuel Suleiman, T. Shay Viehman, Tatiana Villalobos, Virginia M. Weis, Chelsea Wolke, Phanor H. MontoyaMaya
Summary: The movement for coral reef restoration is growing rapidly in response to the degradation of tropical coral reefs worldwide. The Coral Restoration Consortium was established in 2017 to coordinate collaborative efforts in reef recovery. A biennial review in March 2020 focused on scaling up restoration efforts, ensuring population genetics management, and promoting standardized metrics for coral reef restoration.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Thorsten B. H. Reusch, Iliana B. Baums, Benjamin Werner
Summary: Somatic genetic variation may have a significant impact on long-lived, modular species, with sexual and asexual processes influencing the accumulation of genetic load and molecular evolution rates. Further research is needed to understand the fitness effects of SoGV, multilevel selection, and asexual selective sweeps.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathryn H. Stankiewicz, Kate L. Vasquez Kuntz, Iliana B. Baums
Summary: The traditional method Delta K for determining population structure may underestimate the true number of clusters and be sensitive to uneven sampling. Using a combination of different estimators is recommended for more accurate results, as relying on a single estimator may not be sufficient in determining the optimal number of clusters.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gregory P. Asner, Sonja F. Giardina, Christopher Balzotti, Crawford Drury, Sean Hopson, Roberta E. Martin
Summary: This study examines the impact of artificial reefs on coral diversity, finding that large shipwrecks could serve as havens for reef-building corals with genetic diversity comparable to nearby natural reefs. Ship length may be a predictor of coral diversity.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Jesus E. Arias-Gonzalez, Iliana B. Baums, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Carlos Prada, Sergio Rossi, Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Baruch Rinkevich
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eslam O. Osman, Samuel A. Vohsen, Fanny Girard, Rafaelina Cruz, Orli Glickman, Lena M. Bullock, Kaitlin E. Anderson, Alexis M. Weinnig, Erik E. Cordes, Charles R. Fisher, Iliana B. Baums
Summary: This study investigates the reliance of coral species living near deep-sea cold seeps on chemosynthetically-derived food and the impact of proximity to cold seeps. The researchers find that some coral species utilize chemosynthetically derived food and that the restructuring of the microbiome community may aid corals in utilizing seepage-derived carbon.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kate L. Vasquez Kuntz, Sheila A. Kitchen, Trinity L. Conn, Samuel A. Vohsen, Andrea N. Chan, Mark J. A. Vermeij, Christopher Page, Kristen L. Marhaver, Iliana B. Baums
Summary: The study reveals that somatic mutations in animals can be passed on to offspring, increasing genetic diversity and facilitating adaptation across generations.
Article
Biology
Hanny E. Rivera, Anne L. Cohen, Janelle R. Thompson, Iliana B. Baums, Michael D. Fox, Kirstin S. Meyer-Kaiser
Summary: Ocean warming is causing coral mortality, but some heat-tolerant populations can replenish affected reefs. The Rock Islands in Palau harbor two thermally tolerant genetic lineages, which can provide tolerant larvae to neighboring areas, essential for coral survival.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
K. Vasquez-Kuntz, S. Kitchen, T. Conn, S. Vohsen, A. Chan, M. J. A. Vermeij, C. Page, K. Marhaver, I. B. Baums
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)