Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Porro, Thamilla Zamoum, Cedric Mallien, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Christian R. Voolstra, Eric Rottinger, Paola Furla, Didier Forcioli
Summary: This study investigated the flexibility of symbiont acquisition in the Mediterranean snakelocks sea anemone Anemonia viridis, revealing that the composition of within-host-symbiont populations is more dependent on geographical origin of the hosts rather than lineage. The similarities in host-symbiont communities were greater among different genets, suggesting a capacity for horizontal acquisition. The mixed-mode transmission strategy in A. viridis may explain the large phenotypic plasticity observed in this anemone.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ainara Ballesteros, Janire Salazar, Macarena Marambio, Jose Tena, Jose Rafael Garcia-March, Diana Lopez, Clara Tellez, Carles Trullas, Eric Jourdan, Corinne Granger, Josep-Maria Gili
Summary: This study reported a severe toxic reaction in a 35-year-old oceanographer following an Anemonia viridis sting. Evaluating the cnidocyst response, it found that vinegar and ammonia triggered immediate and massive discharge, while baking soda and freshwater also activated discharge but with lower intensity. Seawater was recommended as a rinse solution after A. viridis sting.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgie Savage, Adam Porter, Stephen D. Simpson
Summary: Microplastic uptake by the common snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis) was found to involve both ingestion and external tissue adhesion, with limited preference between different particle shapes and sizes. Environmental sampling also revealed that fibres were the predominant type of microplastic taken up by A. viridis in the marine environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Gioia Cristina Di Camillo, Silvia Arossa, Daniela Pica, Bastari Azzurra, Fabrizio Torsani, Carlo Cerrano
Summary: The study assesses the life history and reproductive biology of sea anemones Anemonia viridis and Exaiptasia diaphana, providing key information on the effects of environmental changes in the North Adriatic Sea. New insights on abundance fluctuations and gametogenesis of the two species were reported, including the first data on spermatogenesis of A. viridis from the Mediterranean Sea.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Elzaan Booysen, Antoinette P. Malan, Leon M. T. Dicks
Summary: Bacterial symbionts associated with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have a significant impact on the insecticidal properties of nematodes in pest control. In this study, different strains of Heterorhabditis zealandica infected Galleria mellonella larvae and induced color changes. The genetic relatedness of bacterial symbionts isolated from the three strains of H. zealandica was determined by comparing gene sequences. Three distinct Photorhabdus species were identified. The color changes in G. mellonella larvae were instigated by specific Photorhabdus species associated with H. zealandica. The red and "green" phenotypes represented new combinations of Heterorhabditis and Photorhabdus.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
S. Arossa, C. Cerrano, M. Barucca, F. Carducci, S. Puce, C. G. Di Camillo
Summary: The biometric investigation of cnidome in Anemonia viridis and Aiptasia couchii revealed four types of cnidae in each species, with different characteristics in different tissues. Molecular analysis was also conducted to confirm the correct classification of the specimens analyzed.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cristobal Villasenor-Parada, Paula E. Neill, Luis Jara-Rojas
Summary: The study evaluates the effect of sand on the dispersion mechanism of Anemonia alicemartinae, finding that the density of anemones decreases exponentially with the amount of sediment, especially fine and medium sands. Laboratory experiments indicate that anemones attached to substrates with more sand detach faster, while those on sand-free substrates take longer. This suggests that anemones perceive the presence of sand as unfavorable and detach in search of more suitable habitats.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Parsifal F. Islas-Morales, Anny Cardenas, Maria J. Mosqueira, Luis Felipe Jimenez-Garcia, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: Nucleoli are subcellular compartments responsible for transcription and maturation of pre-ribosomal RNAs. This study provides evidence for the presence of nucleolus-like subcellular domains in TACK crenarchaeon Saccharolobus solfataricus, suggesting that these domains are not exclusive to eukaryotes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian R. Voolstra, Raquel S. Peixoto, Christine Ferrier-Pages
Summary: Global warming is causing significant damage to coral reefs. Urgent actions must be taken to mitigate and restore in order to prevent their complete extinction.
Article
Limnology
Nicolas. R. R. Evensen, Katherine. E. E. Parker, Thomas. A. A. Oliver, Stephen. R. R. Palumbi, Cheryl. A. A. Logan, James. S. S. Ryan, Courtney. N. N. Klepac, Gabriela Perna, Mark. E. E. Warner, Christian. R. R. Voolstra, Daniel. J. J. Barshis
Summary: Ocean warming is causing increasing harm to marine ecosystems worldwide, particularly affecting reef-building corals through more frequent and severe mass bleaching events. The ability of corals to resist or recover from bleaching varies, and understanding this thermal resilience is crucial for the persistence of coral reefs. However, there is a lack of standardized diagnostic approaches to assess coral thermal vulnerability before bleaching events. The Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) is a cost-effective and portable experimental system that can rapidly assess coral thermal thresholds using standardized temperature stress profiles and diagnostics.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carol Buitrago-Lopez, Anny Cardenas, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Thierry Gosselin, Fabian Staubach, Manuel Aranda, Daniel J. Barshis, Yvonne Sawall, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: Global habitat degradation has increased the need to study genetic connectivity and diversity of marine biota in order to guide conservation efforts. This study examined the population structure and holobiont assemblage of two common pocilloporid corals across the Red Sea. The results showed evidence for limited population differentiation in P. verrucosa, but complex population structure and genetic differentiation in S. pistillata, along with differences in reproductive mode and genetic adaptation at various sites. The study highlights the importance of multispecies investigations and networks of reef reserves in conserving genetic variants critical to the future survival of coral ecosystems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nan Xiang, Achim Meyer, Claudia Pogoreutz, Nils Raedecker, Christian R. R. Voolstra, Christian Wild, Astrid Gaerdes
Summary: Nitrogen limitation is essential for stable coral-algal symbioses. Recent studies have shown that enrichment of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or heat stress can increase the abundance and activity of diazotrophs, destabilizing the coral-algal symbiosis.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guoxin Cui, Migle K. Konciute, Lorraine Ling, Luke Esau, Jean -Baptiste Raina, Baoda Han, Octavio R. Salazar, Jason S. Presnell, Nils Raedecker, Huawen Zhong, Jessica Menzies, Phillip A. Cleves, Yi Jin Liew, Cory J. Krediet, Val Sawiccy, Maha J. Cziesielski, Paul Guagliardo, Jeremy Bougoure, Mathieu Pernice, Heribert Hirt, Christian R. Voolstra, Virginia M. Weis, John R. Pringle, Manuel Aranda
Summary: Symbiotic cnidarians, such as corals and anemones, have evolved efficient molecular mechanisms for nutrient distribution and recycling in order to thrive in nutrient-poor ocean environments. Using the sea anemone Aiptasia, researchers have discovered that glucose and the presence of algae induce the up-regulation and relocalization of glucose and ammonium transporters, which are critical for symbiont functioning and organism-wide nitrogen assimilation. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen conservation and recycling in symbiotic cnidarians.
Article
Biology
Alex J. Veglia, Kalia S. I. Bistolas, Christian R. Voolstra, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Hans-Joachim Ruscheweyh, Serge Planes, Denis Allemand, Emilie Boissin, Patrick Wincker, Julie Poulain, Clementine Moulin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, Michel Flores, Didier Forcioli, Paola Furla, Pierre E. Galand, Eric Gilson, Fabien Lombard, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Didier Zoccola, Adrienne M. S. Correa, Rebecca L. Vega L. Thurber
Summary: A study on newly sequenced and publicly available metagenomes and genomes revealed the presence of endogenous +ssRNA viral elements within coral symbionts. These findings provide insight into the evolutionary history and hosts of contemporary viruses. This study highlights the importance of +ssRNA viruses in nested symbioses and their implications for host evolution, exaptation, and immunity in the context of reef health and disease.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Melanie Doerr, Julia Denger, Celine S. Maier, Jana V. Kirsch, Hannah Manns, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: As the impact of climate change on coral reefs intensifies, microbiome-targeted interventions are emerging as potential solutions to mitigate coral bleaching. However, the mechanisms and extent of manipulating the microbiome are still largely unknown. This study establishes short-term acute thermal stress assays using a standardized and reproducible experimental platform, and demonstrates the ability to assess stress tolerance phenotypes of a coral model organism. The research also shows the potential for resolving differences in thermal tolerance by incubating with bacteria. The findings suggest the use of the experimental platform as a means to accelerate the discovery of microbes and microbial mechanisms mediating thermal stress tolerance.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Till Roethig, Stacey M. M. Trevathan-Tackett, Christian R. R. Voolstra, Cliff Ross, Samuel Chaffron, Paul J. J. Durack, Laura M. M. Warmuth, Michael Sweet
Summary: Climate change is significantly impacting marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. While the effects of ocean warming and acidification are well-studied, there is limited research on the impacts of human-induced changes in ocean salinity. These salinity changes have the potential to affect ocean currents, oxygen saturation, and sea level rise, as well as impact marine biodiversity and ecosystem structure. It is crucial to gather comprehensive salinity data in dynamic coastal regions to understand the relationships between salinity and ecosystem functions and to project future changes that can have implications for carbon sequestration and freshwater availability.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Porro, Thamilla Zamoum, Didier Forcioli, Eric Gilson, Adrien Poquet, Eugenio Di Franco, Stephanie Barnay-Verdier, Fabien Lombard, Christian R. Voolstra, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Pierre E. Galand, Clementine Moulin, Emilie Boissin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Julie Poulain, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, Michel Flores, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Patrick Wincker, Didier Zoccola, Serge Planes, Denis Allemand, Eric Roettinger, Paola Furla
Summary: This study tested the contribution of genetic and environmental conditions to the phenotypic response of coral species. It found that Pocillopora and Porites exhibit different phenotypic response strategies, influenced by genetics and past climate events. Pocillopora displayed higher phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variables, while Porites had more robust phenotypes influenced by genetics and past climate.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maggie M. Reddy, Corentine Goossens, Yuxiang Zhou, Slimane Chaib, Delphine Raviglione, Florence Nicole, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Didier Forcioli, Sylvain Agostini, Emilie Boissin, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, Michel Flores, Paola Furla, Pierre E. Galand, Eric Gilson, Fabien Lombard, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Patrick Wincker, Didier Zoccola, Christian R. Voolstra, Denis Allemand, Serge Planes, Olivier P. Thomas, Bernard Banaigs
Summary: The study investigated natural populations of coral species from two different marine provinces in the Pacific Ocean using a multi-omics approach. A standardized method of metabolomics analysis was proposed, and the study identified several compounds and lipids in corals for the first time. The results suggest that the metabolome of coral populations is influenced by both genetic factors and the environment.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Benjamin Noel, France Denoeud, Alice Rouan, Carol Buitrago-Lopez, Laura Capasso, Julie Poulain, Emilie Boissin, Melanie Pousse, Corinne Da Silva, Arnaud Couloux, Eric Armstrong, Quentin Carradec, Corinne Cruaud, Karine Labadie, Julie Le-Hoang, Sylvie Tambutte, Valerie Barbe, Clementine Moulin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, J. Michel Flores, Didier Forcioli, Paola Furla, Pierre E. Galand, Fabien Lombard, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Denis Allemand, Serge Planes, Eric Gilson, Didier Zoccola, Patrick Wincker, Christian R. Voolstra, Jean-Marc Aury
Summary: In the Tara Pacific expedition, we assembled two coral genomes, Porites lobata and Pocillopora cf. effusa, with greatly improved contiguity. We annotated their gene catalog and found a relatively high number of genes, 43,000 and 32,000, respectively. These duplicated genes are mainly related to the immune system and disease resistance, providing insights into the stress resilience of reef-building corals.
