Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin M. M. Mason, Mitsumasa Koyanagi, Tomohiro Sugihara, Makoto Iwasaki, Vladlen Slepak, David J. J. Miller, Yusuke Sakai, Akihisa Terakita
Summary: We identified six opsins from a coral species, including three novel opsins. We characterized the properties of four of these opsins and found that opsins 1 and 6 can activate Gs-type G protein in a light-dependent manner, with maximum sensitivities at 472 nm and 476 nm, respectively. Opsin 4 can induce intracellular Ca2+ increases through light-dependency. Our findings reveal that corals possess multiple opsins that regulate light-dependent signaling through different cascades.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diane L. Brinkman, Florita Flores, Heidi M. Luter, F. Mikaela Nordborg, Maxime Brooks, Thomas F. Parkerton, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: The risks posed by petroleum spills to coral reefs are not well understood. This study aims to quantify the toxicity thresholds of aromatic hydrocarbons to reef-building corals. The results show that Acropora millepora is more sensitive to aromatic hydrocarbons compared to other corals and aquatic taxa.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Florita Flores, Joseane A. Marques, Sven Uthicke, Rebecca Fisher, Frances Patel, Sarit Kaserzon, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: This study found that the Great Barrier Reef is negatively impacted by the combined effects of the contaminant diuron and climate change, particularly affecting the physiological responses of corals, with photosynthesis being significantly affected. It suggests that water quality guideline values may need to be adjusted as climate conditions change.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jane Xu, Oliver Mead, Aurelie Moya, Cuneyt Caglar, David J. J. Miller, Marcin Adamski, Maja Adamska
Summary: Branching scleractinian corals are niche-constructing organisms with the ability to regenerate quickly. This study identified genes involved in the regeneration process and found similarity to genes involved in wound healing and regeneration in other species. Comparing results from different experimental conditions demonstrated the feasibility of using corals as experimental models in fundamental biology research.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
K. Petrou, B. L. Nunn, M. P. Padula, D. J. Miller, D. A. Nielsen
Summary: Coral reefs are threatened by warming oceans, with severe coral bleaching events recorded. Research on the proteome of coral host and symbiont under elevated temperature revealed significant changes in proteins related to oxidative stress, photosynthesis, and nutrient exchange, highlighting key differences between the two entities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brett M. Lewis, David S. Suggett, Peter J. Prentis, Luke D. Nothdurft
Summary: This study establishes an attachment model for Acropora millepora coral and provides insights into the key steps of asexual propagation. The model allows for evaluating attachment effectiveness, optimizing species-substrate compatibility, and achieving successful coral outplanting.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Astrid M. Perez, Jacob A. Wolfe, Janse T. Schermerhorn, Yiwen Qian, Bekim A. Cela, Cody R. Kalinowski, Garrett E. Largoza, Peter A. Fields, Gabriel S. Brandt
Summary: This study found that the thermal stability of a critical metabolic enzyme in the stony coral Acropora millepora significantly increases in the presence of its cofactor NAD(+). The determination of the complex structure revealed variable NAD(+) occupancy across the tetrameric enzyme, with regions of difference identified that may account for the increased thermal stability.
Article
Biology
Liam Lachs, Adriana Humanes, Daniel R. Pygas, John C. Bythell, Peter J. Mumby, Renata Ferrari, Will F. Figueira, Elizabeth Beauchamp, Holly K. East, Alasdair J. Edwards, Yimnang Golbuu, Helios M. Martinez, Brigitte Sommer, Eveline van der Steeg, James R. Guest
Summary: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will be under strong selection, but trade-offs between heat tolerance and other traits may compromise adaptation. The study focused on reef-building corals and found no trade-offs between heat tolerance and fecundity or growth. Surprisingly, faster-growing corals tended to bleach and die at higher levels of heat stress. Overall, this suggests that some high-performing corals excel across multiple traits and trade-offs may not be major barriers to adaptation or evolution interventions.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Sweet, Mark Bulling, Dorsa Varshavi, Gavin R. Lloyd, Andris Jankevics, Lukas Najdekr, Ralf J. M. Weber, Mark R. Viant, Jamie Craggs
Summary: Coral reefs are facing unprecedented declines in health globally, prompting suggestions for human-assisted evolution or gene flow to restore reefs effectively. Research on coral metabolomes, especially on Scleractinian corals, is limited, highlighting the need for further exploration of metabolic responses to climate change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Angela Randazzo-Eisemann, Joaquin Rodrigo Garza-Perez, Ivan Penie-Rodriguez, Baruch Figueroa-Zavala
Summary: The Akumal Reef in the Mexican Caribbean has experienced significant ecological changes over the past decades, with hard coral cover decreasing sharply and total algae cover increasing notably, mainly due to urban area expansion. Events like bleaching or disease have become more frequent and persistent in the last decade, leading to no signs of recovery in hard coral cover.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sanaz Hazraty-Kari, Masaya Morita, Parviz Tavakoli-Kolour, Saki Harii
Summary: Seawater temperature rise due to climate change negatively impacts coral reef communities. The study investigated the response of Acropora tenuis larvae to thermal stress and its effect on their thermal tolerance during the juvenile stage. Larvae were exposed to different temperatures and their settlement success and survival were assessed. The results showed that larval thermal stress did not enhance thermal tolerance in juveniles, posing a potential threat to their resilience against heatwaves.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gerard Ricardo, Hugo Kiff, Florita Flores
Summary: High post-settlement mortality is a major limiting factor for coral reef population recovery, but newly settled corals have been observed to exhibit robust regeneration following physical damage. Despite potential damage from physical interactions during recruitment, coral recruits show resilience to damage and can survive in dynamic habitats.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Brendan Cornwell, Katrina Armstrong, Nia S. Walker, Marilla Lippert, Victor Nestor, Yimnang Golbuu, Stephen R. Palumbi
Summary: Climate change is affecting ecosystem composition, with coral bleaching resistance identified as a critical trait for coral population persistence. Research shows that corals with low symbiont load are more bleaching-resistant but may have lower growth rates. Tradeoffs exist between high bleaching resistance and heat resistance, cautioning against unilateral use of this trait in restoration efforts.
Article
Fisheries
B. Mason, I Cooke, A. Moya, R. Augustin, M-F Lin, N. Satoh, T. C. G. Bosch, D. G. Bourne, D. C. Hayward, N. Andrade, S. Foret, H. Ying, E. E. Ball, D. J. Miller
Summary: A candidate antimicrobial peptide, AmAMP1, was identified in coral Acropora millepora, showing activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This peptide belongs to a family of AMPs found in corals and their close relatives, with a conserved arrangement of six cysteine residues in the C-terminal mature peptide. AmAMP1 is expressed in ectodermal cells during late stages of coral development, sharing a Cys motif with sea anemone Shk neuropeptides.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisa A. Golding, Monique T. Binet, Merrin S. Adams, Justin Hochen, Craig A. Humphrey, Gwilym A. V. Price, Amanda J. Reichelt-Brushett, Matthew Salmon, Jenny L. Stauber
Summary: Adult corals are highly sensitive to dissolved manganese, experiencing tissue sloughing without bleaching. However, there is a lack of chronic toxicity data for this endpoint. Through acute and chronic experiments, it was found that adult Acropora millepora had an EC50 of 2560 μg Mn/L for tissue sloughing, but no chronic toxicity was observed at concentrations up to 1090 μg Mn/L (NOEC). The coral-specific acute-to-chronic ratio was derived and combined with data for other marine organisms to establish manganese guidelines for long-term protection of marine species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ambrocio Melvin A. Matias, Iva Popovic, Joshua A. Thia, Ira R. Cooke, Gergely Torda, Vimoksalehi Lukoschek, Line K. Bay, Sun W. Kim, Cynthia Riginos
Summary: Genomic studies have revealed extensive hidden diversity in reef-building corals, which is highly underestimated in terms of evolutionary and ecological relevance. Additionally, symbiotic algae within coral host species can provide adaptive responses to environmental stress and may contribute to coral genetic variation. This study examines the genetic variation of Acropora tenuis coral host and its associated symbiotic algae across the Great Barrier Reef. The results demonstrate three distinct genetic clusters of coral hosts, associated with latitude and inshore-offshore reef position, while symbiotic algae diversity is influenced by reef location relative to shore.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Magena R. Marzonie, Line K. Bay, David G. Bourne, Andrew S. Hoey, Samuel Matthews, Josephine J. Nielsen, Hugo B. Harrison
Summary: Scleractinian coral populations are facing increasing exposure to temperatures above their upper limits, leading to declines in coral reef ecosystem health. Variations in thermal tolerance exist among species, individual coral colonies, and populations. This study conducted heat stress experiments to assess heat tolerance across a large environmental gradient. The results showed variations in heat tolerance among species and within reefs, with mild heatwave exposure positively correlated with heat tolerance over the past 35 years, but recent severe heatwaves showing a negative relationship. These findings suggest that marine heatwaves are selecting for tolerant individuals and populations, but recent severe heatwaves may compromise this adaptive potential.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Barfield, Sarah W. Davies, Mikhail V. Matz
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of sweepstakes reproductive success (SRS) in Acropora hyacinthus at Yap Island, Micronesia. The genetic diversity of adults and juveniles at different sites was compared, and a dip in genetic diversity was observed in juveniles compared to adults at two sites. However, there was no detectable genetic structure among juveniles. Nonetheless, a pair of juvenile siblings was identified at the site with the lowest genetic diversity, suggesting the existence of SRS.
Article
Ecology
Cathie A. A. Page, Christine Giuliano, Line K. K. Bay, Carly J. J. Randall
Summary: During the 2020 marine heat wave, severe coral bleaching affecting 75%-98% of coral cover occurred in the Keppel Islands. Despite the severity, coral cover remained stable, showing high resilience. However, the recovery following the bleaching event was driven by the easing of thermal stress, which may pose challenges for future recovery under further warming.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah W. Davies, Matthew H. Gamache, Lauren I. Howe-Kerr, Nicola G. Kriefall, Andrew C. Baker, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Line Kolind Bay, Anthony J. Bellantuono, Debashish Bhattacharya, Cheong Xin Chan, Danielle C. Claar, Mary Alice Coffroth, Ross Cunning, Simon K. Davy, Javier del Campo, Erika M. Diaz-Almeyda, Jorg C. Frommlet, Lauren E. Fuess, Raul A. Gonzalez-Pech, Tamar L. Goulet, Kenneth D. Hoadley, Emily J. Howells, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Dustin W. Kemp, Carly D. Kenkel, Sheila A. Kitchen, Todd C. LaJeunesse, Senjie Lin, Shelby E. McIlroy, Ryan McMinds, Matthew R. Nitschke, Clinton A. Oakley, Raquel S. Peixoto, Carlos Prada, Hollie M. Putnam, Kate Quigley, Hannah G. Reich, James Davis Reimer, Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty, Stephanie M. Rosales, Osama S. Saad, Eugenia M. Sampayo, Scott R. Santos, Eiichi Shoguchi, Edward G. Smith, Michael Stat, Timothy G. Stephens, Marie E. Strader, David J. Suggett, Timothy D. Swain, Cawa Tran, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Christian R. Voolstra, Mark E. Warner, Virginia M. Weis, Rachel M. Wright, Tingting Xiang, Hiroshi Yamashita, Maren Ziegler, Adrienne M. S. Correa, John Everett Parkinson
Summary: Genetic and functional variation in microeukaryotes can accumulate faster than morphological differences. Understanding the evolutionary history and ecology of such lineages requires examining diversity at multiple levels of organization. In the case of Symbiodiniaceae, molecular data have been used to describe phenotypes and make evolutionary inferences, but a lack of consensus among researchers has hindered progress in the field.
Article
Microbiology
Emily G. Aguirre, Harold K. Carlson, Carly D. Kenkel
Summary: We sequenced the genome of Roseibium sp. strain Sym1, which was isolated from a monoculture of Symbiodinium linucheae, a microalgal symbiont of cnidarians. The genome is composed of one circular chromosome of 6,694,563 bp and four plasmids of varying lengths.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Line K. Bay, James Gilmour, Bob Muir, Paul E. Hardisty
Summary: Australia's coastal marine ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef, are culturally significant to Indigenous Australians and play a crucial role in the nation's blue economy. However, local pressures and global climate change are posing threats to these ecosystems and their value in various aspects. Mitigating climate change is the top priority, but management actions developed in collaboration with Indigenous Australians and supported by research and funding are also important for preserving ecosystem function and value.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Ruggeri, Yingqi Zhang, Galina V. Aglyamova, Carly D. Kenkel
Summary: The ability of corals to adapt to environmental change is determined by the efficiency of selection acting on heritable genetic variation. Different life stages and genetic backgrounds can influence the thermal stress response and adaptation mechanisms of corals.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
Carly Kenkel, Rachel Wright
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
J. Dilworth, W. Million, M. Ruggeri, E. R. Hall, A. Dungan, E. Muller, C. D. Kenkel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
C. D. Kenkel, J. Smith, K. Hubbard, C. Chadwick, N. Lorenzen, A. Tatters, D. Caron
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
W. C. Million, M. Ruggeri, S. O'Donnell, E. Bartels, C. Krediet, C. D. Kenkel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
Zambrano D. Olivares, C. Timmons, C. D. Kenkel, K. M. Quigley
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
M. Ruggeri, W. C. Million, L. E. Hamilton, C. D. Kenkel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)