Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siang-Tai Syue, Chia-Hsuan Hsu, Keryea Soong
Summary: This study reveals how the sponge kills corals, showing that the sponge does not kill corals for food or nutrients, but rather for gaining substrate for growth.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Kira E. Turnham, Matthew D. Aschaffenburg, D. Tye Pettay, David A. Paz-Garcia, Hector Reyes-Bonilla, Jorge Pinzon, Ellie Timmins, Robin T. Smith, Michael P. McGinley, Mark E. Warner, Todd C. LaJeunesse
Summary: The flexibility of associating with multiple symbionts expands a host's niche breadth. Coral animals and dinoflagellate micro-algae have a widespread mutualistic relationship that greatly affects a coral's ability to cope with extreme conditions. The study of Pocillopora grandis, a dominant coral species in the Eastern Pacific, shows significant functional differences between host-symbiont combinations when exposed to increased temperatures. The findings suggest that co-evolved thermally tolerant host-symbiont combinations are likely to dominate future reef ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia Tang, Zhongjie Wu, Lu Wan, Wenqi Cai, Shiquan Chen, Xingjuan Wang, Jian Luo, Zhi Zhou, Jianmin Zhao, Senjie Lin
Summary: Through investigating the distribution of microplastics in the environment and inhabiting organisms, it was found that microplastics have a preferential enrichment in organisms and show a clear correlation with the symbiotic density in corals. Different species of corals exhibit differential stress responses to microplastics, with large-polyp corals showing higher tolerance.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joerg Wiedenmann, Cecilia D'Angelo, M. Loreto Mardones, Shona Moore, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Bastian Hambach, Paul A. Wilson, James Vanstone, Gal Eyal, Or Ben-Zvi, Yossi Loya, Amatzia Genin
Summary: Research shows that corals acquire dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus by feeding on symbiont cells, which are essential nutrients for their success in nutrient-poor waters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Clarissa Raguso, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni, Paolo Galli, Massimiliano Clemenza, Simone Montano
Summary: This study investigated the presence of microplastics in Maldivian reef-building corals for the first time. The results showed that a high percentage of the surveyed corals were contaminated with microplastic particles, and there were no significant differences in microplastic concentration based on depth, exposure, location, or species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Reichert, Vanessa Tirpitz, Rajshree Anand, Katharina Bach, Jonas Knopp, Patrick Schubert, Thomas Wilke, Maren Ziegler
Summary: The study found that, at ambient temperatures, microplastic particles have minor effects on the physiology and health of coral species compared to heat stress. Heat stress had more severe impacts on corals, including decreased photosynthetic efficiency, bleaching, tissue necrosis, and mortality. Therefore, while efforts to reduce plastic pollution are important, more urgent action to address global warming is needed to protect coral reef ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yunchi Zhu, Xin Liao, Tingyu Han, J. -Y. Chen, Chunpeng He, Zuhong Lu
Summary: This study integrates mass spectrometry with ColabFold technology to obtain digital structural proteomes of dominant reef-building corals, providing valuable predictions for coral research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Na'ama-Rose Kochman-Gino, Maoz Fine
Summary: Coral reefs are facing rapid deterioration due to rising seawater temperature, and the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves are increasing. The Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea is home to resilient corals, but concerns have been raised about the potential risks of marine heatwaves. A recent study found that the hottest marine heatwave in the Gulf of Aqaba did not cause coral bleaching or mortality, but different physiological responses were observed in different coral species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kenneth D. Hoadley, Daniel T. Pettay, Allison Lewis, Drew Wham, Chris Grasso, Robin Smith, Dustin W. Kemp, Todd LaJeunesse, Mark E. Warner
Summary: This study reveals significant physiological differences even among closely related symbionts, with implications for the thermal susceptibility of reef-building Porites.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jessica Reichert, Angelina L. Arnold, Nils Hammer, Ingo B. Miller, Marvin Rades, Patrick Schubert, Maren Ziegler, Thomas Wilke
Summary: Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is widespread, with plastic particles accumulating in environmental sinks; Coral reefs may serve as unique, long-term sinks for microplastics; A study shows that microplastic particles accumulate permanently in coral skeletons, indicating the importance of coral reefs as a long-term sink for microplastic.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daphne Cortese, Tommy Norin, Ricardo Beldade, Amelie Crespel, Shaun S. Killen, Suzanne C. Mills
Summary: Our study found that juvenile orange-fin anemonefish residing in bleached anemones experienced a decrease in their standard metabolic rate over time, leading to reduced growth compared to fish from healthy anemones. Despite spending more time foraging in the water column, fish from bleached anemones were less active and had a negative correlation between space use and survival after 4 weeks, highlighting the long-lasting impacts of short-term thermal anomalies on marine animals.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily J. Howells, David Abrego, Yi Jin Liew, John A. Burt, Eli Meyer, Manuel Aranda
Summary: Research shows that corals thriving in extreme thermal environments can transfer heat tolerance genes to other populations to help them adapt to future climate warming. Selective breeding of corals with heat tolerance genes can significantly increase their survival rates.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tomas Lopez-Londono, Claudia T. Galindo-Martinez, Kelly Gomez-Campo, Luis A. Gonzalez-Guerrero, Sofia Roitman, F. Joseph Pollock, Valeria Pizarro, Mateo Lopez-Victoria, Monica Medina, Roberto Iglesias-Prieto
Summary: Water optical quality degradation due to anthropogenic disturbances is a common phenomenon in coastal waters globally. This study reveals the harmful effects on coral photosynthesis and habitat compression caused by declining water optical properties, emphasizing the importance of preserving water properties for maintaining coral reef structure and ecosystem services.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelyn Abbott, Groves Dixon, Mikhail Matz
Summary: The study found that changes in the abundance of different symbiont genera within coral hosts can affect the gene expression of symbionts, particularly impacting expression of photosynthesis components and proteins related to cell movement. When both genera are represented in comparable proportions within the host, the mixed symbiosis state may lead to more intense competition but does not result in increased stress for the host. After heat treatment, corals with mixed symbiosis showed the lowest stress signatures compared to corals dominated by either Cladocopium or Durusdinium.
Article
Environmental Studies
Hiroya Abe, Yuko F. Kitano, Tomohiro Fujita, Hiroya Yamano
Summary: This study organized coral occurrence records and assessed the use and management status based on administrative documents in each prefecture in Japan. It also examined how laws regulate coral harvesting and extracted concerns for future changes. The analysis revealed significant gaps between coral distribution and use, management, and regulation in different prefectures. The study highlights the importance of establishing utilization and management systems that reflect the characteristics of each area, especially in areas where significant environmental changes are expected.
Article
Plant Sciences
Todd C. LaJeunesse, Joerg Wiedenmann, Pilar Casado-Amezua, Isabella D'Ambra, Kira E. Turnham, Matthew R. Nitschke, Clinton A. Oakley, Stefano Goffredo, Carlos A. Spano, Victor M. Cubillos, Simon K. Davy, David J. Suggett
Summary: The genus Philozoon, characterized by a symbiotic relationship with temperate invertebrates, has been identified and named using a term discarded from the golden age of Natural Historians. This lineage, closely related to Symbiodinium, thrives in shallow temperate marine habitats in the northern and southern hemispheres. Each symbiont species in the genus displays high host fidelity for specific species of sea anemone, soft coral, stony coral, and rhizostome jellyfish.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Wangpraseurt, Yazhi Sun, Shangting You, Sing-Teng Chua, Samantha K. Noel, Helena F. Willard, David B. Berry, Alexander M. Clifford, Sydney Plummer, Yi Xiang, Henry H. Hwang, Jaap Kaandorp, Julia M. Diaz, Todd C. La Jeunesse, Mathieu Pernice, Silvia Vignolini, Martin Tresguerres, Shaochen Chen
Summary: This study uses 3D bioprinting technology to construct biomimetic coral microhabitats, replicating the biological processes involved in coral-algal symbiosis and providing a potential method for manufacturing synthetic designer corals.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Shelby. E. E. Gantt, Elise. F. F. Keister, Alicia. A. A. Manfroy, Dakotah. E. E. Merck, William. K. K. Fitt, Erinn. M. M. Muller, Dustin. W. W. Kemp
Summary: The worldwide decline in coral populations has led to the development of various coral conservation and restoration groups. This study compares the physiological condition of land-based nursery corals with wild conspecific populations. The findings show that nursery corals are similar in terms of metabolism, but differ in terms of biomass, symbiotic algae pigmentation, and Symbiodiniaceae populations, indicating substantial photoacclimation processes during outplanting.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elise F. Keister, Shelby E. Gantt, Hannah G. Reich, Kira E. Turnham, Timothy G. Bateman, Todd C. LaJeunesse, Mark E. Warner, Dustin W. Kemp
Summary: Coral reefs worldwide are declining, but some populations in Palau, Micronesia are better adapted to survive in warmer and more acidic oceans. These coral populations can resist and recover from thermal stress better than their offshore counterparts. The difference in tissue biomass and energy reserves between the nearshore and offshore colonies may be explained by the increased metabolic demand of the warmer and more acidic nearshore environment. Despite the differences in symbiont species and prey availability, the lipid compositions of colonies from both habitats were similar. The regulation of colony biomass and energy reserves may be influenced by various factors, but they converge to a similar homeostatic set point under different environmental conditions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Caleb C. Butler, Kira E. Turnham, Allison M. Lewis, Matthew R. Nitschke, Mark E. Warner, Dustin W. Kemp, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, William K. Fitt, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Todd C. LaJeunesse
Summary: This study identified five new species in the genus Cladocopium, which are widespread and have diverse hosts. These findings are important for understanding ecological research, genetic research, and conservation efforts in the face of environmental changes.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Dustin W. Kemp, Kenneth D. Hoadley, Allison M. Lewis, Drew C. Wham, Robin T. Smith, Mark E. Warner, Todd C. Lajeunesse
Summary: Symbiotic mutualisms are crucial for ecosystems and species, including reef-building corals. The benefits and nutrient exchange between corals and endosymbiotic dinoflagellates are influenced by environmental conditions. This study found that corals associated with Durusdinium trenchii or Cladocopium spp. exhibited similar nutrient exchange under normal temperatures, but heat-exposed colonies with D. trenchii experienced less physiological stress while maintaining high carbon assimilation and nutrient transfer. Contrary to prevailing notions, this suggests that high-functioning mutualisms can occur in host-symbiont combinations adapted to high-temperature environments.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Kira E. Turnham, Matthew D. Aschaffenburg, D. Tye Pettay, David A. Paz-Garcia, Hector Reyes-Bonilla, Jorge Pinzon, Ellie Timmins, Robin T. Smith, Michael P. McGinley, Mark E. Warner, Todd C. LaJeunesse
Summary: The flexibility of associating with multiple symbionts expands a host's niche breadth. Coral animals and dinoflagellate micro-algae have a widespread mutualistic relationship that greatly affects a coral's ability to cope with extreme conditions. The study of Pocillopora grandis, a dominant coral species in the Eastern Pacific, shows significant functional differences between host-symbiont combinations when exposed to increased temperatures. The findings suggest that co-evolved thermally tolerant host-symbiont combinations are likely to dominate future reef ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leila Chapron, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Dustin W. Kemp, Ann M. Hulver, Elise F. Keister, Anastasios Stathakopoulos, Lucy A. Bartlett, Erin O. Lyons, Andrea G. Grottoli
Summary: Transplanted Acropora palmata colonies along Florida's offshore coral reef show a west-to-east gradient in coral physiology and site-specific coral-associated microbiomes. The unique oceanographic conditions in the Dry Tortugas enhance coral growth and survivorship, influencing the microbiome. Restoration efforts in the Dry Tortugas and other areas with higher food availability could be most effective for A. palmata.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)