Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Qingsong Yang, Wenqian Zhang, Ying Zhang, Xiaoyu Tang, Juan Ling, Yanying Zhang, Junde Dong
Summary: This study investigates the settlement-promoting effect of Ca2+ on larvae of the brooding coral Pocillopora damicornis for the first time. It finds that treatment with 40 mM CaCl2 effectively promotes coral larval settlement and is comparable to the natural inducer, crustose coralline algae (CCA). However, high concentrations of CaCl2 have toxic effects on larval survival and growth, which can be minimized by optimizing concentration and exposure period.
Article
Limnology
Xinqing Zheng, Yuanchao Li, Jilin Liang, Rongcheng Lin, Daoru Wang
Summary: The study found differences in growth rates and competition space among different coral species on artificial reefs, with typhoon attacks also having an important impact on coral recovery. Future restoration efforts should use materials that are more resilient to typhoons.
JOURNAL OF OCEANOLOGY AND LIMNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ziwei Yang, Chuanliang Wu, Junying Zhu, Xinxing Geng, Yaxing Liu, Yufang Zhang, Weiyan Duan
Summary: By examining the physiological parameters of corals and zooxanthellae in Sanya Bay coral reef areas in winter and summer, it was found that water temperature and salinity were the main factors affecting their physiological variations. High temperature/low salinity aquatic environment in summer reduced the density and chlorophyll a+c2 content of zooxanthellae, resulting in high superoxide dismutase and caspase3 activities. Turbidity was also an important factor affecting the physiological characteristics of coral-zooxanthellae symbionts. Overall, these findings have important implications for understanding and protecting coral reef communities in Sanya Bay.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rian Prasetia, Frederic Sinniger, Takashi Nakamura, Saki Harii
Summary: This study found that light intensity has a significant impact on larval behavior and settlement in mesophotic corals. Exposure to light conditions corresponding to shallow depths resulted in bleached larvae and reduced settlement rates. However, mesophotic juveniles showed good survival and physiological acclimation in deeper habitats. These findings highlight the importance of light in the successful recolonization of depth-generalist corals to shallow reefs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhuojun Guo, Xin Liao, Tingyu Han, Junyuan Chen, Chunpeng He, Zuhong Lu
Summary: This study sequenced the full-length transcriptome of the coral Pocillopora damicornis and identified unique genes in both the coral and its symbiotic zooxanthellae. The results indicate that zooxanthellae provide energy and nutrition for the coral host through photosynthesis, and that both partners have anti-stress molecular mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanny Clergeaud, Maeva Giraudo, Alice M. S. Rodrigues, Evane Thorel, Philippe Lebaron, Didier Stien
Summary: The extensive use of sunscreen products has caused concerns about their environmental toxicity and the negative effects they have on ecologically important coral communities. Metabolomic analyses on Pocillopora damicornis exposed to the UV filter avobenzone (BM) revealed unidentified ions in the coral's metabolome. Further analysis found that BM-exposed corals had 57 ions with significantly different relative concentrations, including 17 BM derivatives and one major derivative, C16:0-dihydroBM. These findings suggest that BM exposure may impair the photosynthetic capacity of coral holobionts and that the impact of BM derivatives should be considered in future environmental assessments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Youfang Sun, Lei Jiang, Sanqiang Gong, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, Xiangcheng Yuan, Haoya Tong, Lintao Huang, Guowei Zhou, Yuyang Zhang, Hui Huang
Summary: Climate change leads to ocean warming and acidification, posing threats to coral reef ecosystems. This study explores the molecular mechanisms of larval responses to elevated temperature and pCO(2) in Pocillopora damicornis, revealing that larvae exposed to high temperatures experience reduced net photosynthesis, while those exposed to high pCO(2) levels exhibit increased photosynthetic capabilities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alicia M. Caughman, Zoe A. Pratte, Nastassia V. Patin, Frank J. Stewart
Summary: Coral-associated microbiomes exhibit significant diel dynamics, with most changes showing stochastic patterns possibly influenced by microspatial variation within coral colonies. Some microbial taxa, such as Porticoccus and Endozoicomonas, demonstrate cyclic changes in relative frequency over a 2-day sampling period, suggesting substantial variations in ecological functions of the microbiome over hourly timescales.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhaoqun Liu, Mingxun An, Xinxing Geng, Zhongjie Wu, Wenqi Cai, Jia Tang, Kaidian Zhang, Zhi Zhou
Summary: PAHs can have moderate but persistent effects on corals by triggering biological processes at the mRNA level. It is interesting that PAHs can activate the neuroendocrine system in corals and function as environmental hormones, which may contribute to stress responses in symbiotic association. Combined treatment of PAHs and heat has a more significant effect on corals and their algal symbionts by affecting antioxidant activity and photosynthesis.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fangfang Yang, Jiahao Mo, Zhangliang Wei, Lijuan Long
Summary: The study found that calcified algae Porolithon onkodes and Halimeda cylindracea significantly enhanced the settlement and metamorphosis rates of coral larvae Pocillopora damicornis, while fewer larvae settled on Amphiroa fragilissima and Halimeda opuntia. The bacterial community compositions varied among different algae, impacting larval settlement and metamorphosis.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ying Zhang, Qingsong Yang, Juan Ling, Lijuan Long, Hui Huang, Jianping Yin, Meilin Wu, Xiaoyu Tang, Xiancheng Lin, Yanying Zhang, Junde Dong
Summary: Inoculating coral with a beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMC) consortium can significantly increase the energy reserves and calcification rates of the host, and improve its physiological status. Co-occurrence network analysis indicates that inoculation of coral with the exogenous BMC consortium can improve the structure of the coral-associated microbial community.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Coline Monchanin, Rahul Mehrotra, Elouise Haskin, Chad M. Scott, Pau Urgell Plaza, Alyssa Allchurch, Spencer Arnold, Kirsty Magson, Bert W. Hoeksema
Summary: Research in Thailand's Koh Tao revealed significant differences in coral community structure between artificial and natural reefs, with diversity not solely explained by coral spawning dynamics. This suggests that these reefs play distinct ecological and functional roles in the marine environment.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shelby R. Marhoefer, Kyall R. Zenger, Jan M. Strugnell, Murray Logan, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Carly D. Kenkel, Line K. Bay
Summary: This study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, investigated the phenotypic variation of the common brooding coral Pocillopora damicornis between depth habitats, revealing strong population-by-habitat interactions and potential genetic basis for adaptation and acclimatization. The results suggest that local adaptation and acclimatization may contribute to the survival and response of corals to changing environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of environmental factors and symbiont composition in determining the adaptive potential of corals.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiang Xu, Peilin Wu, Duanjie Huang, Yulin Xiao, Xinyuan Wang, Jingquan Xia, Wengang Ma, Fei Gao, Aimin Wang
Summary: Sea ranching is an effective method to alleviate overfishing and protect coral reef ecosystems. This study conducted sea ranching for hatchery-reared edible sea cucumber juveniles in Sanya, China, and found positive growth performance. However, there was a high mortality rate in the first month after release. The study also revealed the food sources for sea cucumbers.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Wang, Yinqiang Li, Mingqing Lin, Zhinan Su, Xiong Liu, Kefu Yu
Summary: High-latitude coral communities have the potential to serve as refuges during global climate change, but this is being hindered by the combined pressure of global climate and anthropogenic activities. A long-term monitoring study on coral communities along the Bailong Peninsula in the northern South China Sea revealed that corals have a scattered and uneven distribution pattern, but the growth of reef-building corals and coral recruitment are improving, which play important roles in regulating the structure of adult coral populations and promoting the development of coral communities. The Bailong Peninsula has the potential to become a refuge for corals if human activities impacting coral restoration potential are controlled.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Youfang Sun, Lei Jiang, Sanqiang Gong, Minglan Guo, Xiangcheng Yuan, Guowei Zhou, Xinming Lei, Yuyang Zhang, Tao Yuan, Jiansheng Lian, Peiyuan Qian, Hui Huang
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lei Jiang, You-Fan Sun, Yu-Yang Zhang, Yuan Tian, Xin-Ming Lei, Guo-Wei Zhou, Tao Yuan, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Sheng Liu, Hui Huang
Summary: The thermal threshold of coral larvae under elevated pCO(2) was found between 32 and 33 degrees C, with enhanced photosynthesis rates. Elevated pCO(2) could alter the thermal sensitivity of larvae, indicating potential impacts on larval ecology in a future changing ocean.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lei Jiang, Guo-Wei Zhou, Yu-Yang Zhang, Xin-Ming Lei, Tao Yuan, Ming-Lan Guo, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Jian-Sheng Lian, Sheng Liu, Hui Huang
Summary: Ocean warming significantly reduces successful symbiont infection and geometric diameter of Platygyra daedalea recruits, while high pCO(2) has little impact. There is an inverse relationship between symbiont infection rates and survivorship, particularly at high temperatures. The study also reveals a high degree of plasticity in early symbiosis with implications for coral-algal partnerships under future climatic conditions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Xinming Lei, Lei Jiang, Yuyang Zhang, Youfang Sun, Guowei Zhou, Jiansheng Lian, Hui Huang
Summary: The study found that the presence of crustose coralline algae (CCA) may have a positive impact on the settlement and post-settlement survival of Acropora millepora larvae in terms of selecting a permanent attachment site. The presence of CCA significantly increased metamorphosis rates and survival rates of coral larvae.
Correction
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lei Jiang, You-Fang Sun, Yu-Yang Zhang, Yuan Tian, Xin-Ming Lei, Guo-Wei Zhou, Tao Yuan, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Sheng Liu, Hui Huang
Article
Environmental Sciences
Youfang Sun, Lei Jiang, Sanqiang Gong, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, Xiangcheng Yuan, Haoya Tong, Lintao Huang, Guowei Zhou, Yuyang Zhang, Hui Huang
Summary: Climate change leads to ocean warming and acidification, posing threats to coral reef ecosystems. This study explores the molecular mechanisms of larval responses to elevated temperature and pCO(2) in Pocillopora damicornis, revealing that larvae exposed to high temperatures experience reduced net photosynthesis, while those exposed to high pCO(2) levels exhibit increased photosynthetic capabilities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinming Lei, Hao Cheng, Yong Luo, Yuyang Zhang, Lei Jiang, Youfang Sun, Guowei Zhou, Hui Huang
Summary: The study quantified the abundance and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in seawater and corals in Sanya Bay, Hainan Island. It was found that MPs are present in the entire coral reef region, with different characteristics in coral tissue compared to seawater. The ingestion and retention of MPs in coral tissue may be related to polyp size, potentially harming the coral community structure.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Xiaolei Yu, Lei Jiang, Jianfeng Gan, Yuyang Zhang, Yong Luo, Chengyue Liu, Hui Huang
Summary: This study found that feeding can significantly improve the production of scleractinian coral Galaxea fascicularis, with fed corals showing a 51.4% higher growth rate and double budding rate. Feeding also altered the body composition of G. fascicularis, increasing tissue protein and crude lipid contents by 69.8% and 31.0%, respectively, indicating good assimilation of supplementary proteins and lipids through feeding.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong Luo, Lintao Huang, Xinming Lei, Xiaolei Yu, Chengyue Liu, Lei Jiang, Youfang Sun, Meng Cheng, Jianfeng Gan, Yuyang Zhang, Guowei Zhou, Sheng Liu, Jiansheng Lian, Hui Huang
Summary: Recent research suggests that underwater light availability plays a crucial role in the growth and distribution of reef-building corals exposed to elevated suspended solids. This study investigated the variations in light availability, coral assemblages, and suspended solids concentrations and composition on the Luhuitou fringing reef in Sanya, China. The results showed that light availability is related to the distribution and growth of different coral species, and that the organic fraction of suspended solids plays a significant role in light attenuation.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinming Lei, Yuyang Zhang, Lei Jiang, Yong Luo, Guowei Zhou, Youfang Sun, Hui Huang
Summary: Reef-building corals are being greatly impacted by climate change and increasing human activities globally. A study was conducted in a national coral reef reserve in southern China to investigate the bloom-forming macroalgae and the factors influencing their composition. The study found that different aquaculture discharges were related to the structure of macroalgae communities, with temperature, total suspended solids, chlorophyll a, and dissolved inorganic nutrients playing significant roles in the variation of macroalgae composition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengyue Liu, Yuyang Zhang, Lintao Huang, Xiaolei Yu, Yong Luo, Lei Jiang, Youfang Sun, Sheng Liu, Hui Huang
Summary: The colony morphology of corals is significantly correlated with the corallite area, but not with the symbiodiniaceae density. Massive corals with large corallite area can ingest more food, leading to higher levels of total lipid content and unsaturated fatty acids. Branching corals are predominantly autotrophic and their total lipid content is positively correlated with the Symbiodiniaceae density. Bleached corals consume larger amounts of stored energy to maintain normal physiological functions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Jiang, You-Fang Sun, Guo-Wei Zhou, Hao-Ya Tong, Lin-Tao Huang, Xiao-Lei Yu, Cheng-Yue Liu, Yu-Yang Zhang, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Pei-Yuan Qian, Hui Huang
Summary: The dispersal of coral larvae plays a vital role in population replenishment and reef recovery. This study investigated the responses of brooded larvae of Pocillopora damicornis to elevated temperature and pCO2 at different biological scales. The findings showed that heat stress led to bleaching and decreased respiration, photosynthesis, and autotrophy, while high pCO2 stimulated photosynthesis. Heat stress induced greater symbiont loss at ambient pCO2 than at high pCO2, suggesting pCO2-dependent bleaching patterns. The study also revealed host antioxidant responses and metabolic pathways, as well as downregulated genes in symbionts under heat stress and high pCO2.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Jiang, Yu-Yang Zhang, Cheng-Yue Liu, Lin-Tao Huang, Hao-Ya Tong, Guo-Wei Zhou, Ming-Lan Guo, Tao Yuan, Hui Huang
Summary: This study reveals the benefits and costs of gregarious larval settlement for juvenile corals under ocean warming and acidification, as well as highlights the ecological role of larval settlement behavior in mediating the responses of coral recruits to climate change stressors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Jiang, Cheng-Yue Liu, Guoxin Cui, Lin-Tao Huang, Xiao-Lei Yu, You-Fang Sun, Hao-Ya Tong, Guo-Wei Zhou, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Yi-Si Hu, Wen-Liang Zhou, Manuel Aranda, Pei-Yuan Qian, Hui Huang
Summary: This study found that heat stress in adult coral can enhance the heat tolerance of their larvae. The research showed that larvae from heat-acclimated adults had higher bleaching resistance and better photosynthetic and autotrophic performance compared to larvae from unacclimated adults. These findings provide physiological and molecular evidence for the adaptive plasticity of brooded coral larvae and suggest that adult heat acclimation can increase climate resilience.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Xiao-Lei Yu, Lei Jiang, Yong Luo, Cheng-Yue Liu, Yu-Yang Zhang, Lin-Tao Huang, Pan Zhang, Xiang-Cheng Yuan, Hui Huang
Summary: The study investigates the adaptive strategies and mechanisms underlying the resilience of Galaxea fascicularis corals to low light stress. The results show that corals acclimate to light limitation by improving photosynthetic efficiency and rely on heterotrophic input to enhance most physiological processes. The study also reveals that corals can adopt complex trade-offs between various physiological processes to adapt to different light and feeding conditions.
