Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
James T. Price, Rowan H. McLachlan, Christopher P. Jury, Robert J. Toonen, Michael J. Wilkins, Andrea G. Grottoli
Summary: This study explores the variability in the microbial community composition of four coral species across different collection sites on the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i. The composition of coral-associated microbial communities is more closely related to coral physiology than environmental parameters, with coral lipid and protein levels playing significant roles. Changes in coral resource use, particularly in energy reserves and heterotrophic capacity, could potentially lead to shifts in microbial community diversity in response to global climate change.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoe A. A. Pratte, Christina A. A. Kellogg
Summary: Animals host a multitude of microorganisms essential to their health, with host-associated microbes playing various roles such as defending against pathogens and providing nutrients. It can be challenging to study these microbial communities due to difficulties in obtaining nucleic acids. A study on coral microbiomes explored different preservatives and extraction methods, finding subtle differences between them but more profound differences among coral species. Consistency in comparing coral microbiomes across studies can be achieved using the presented preservative types and extraction methods, with the inclusion of internal controls for data quality.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Francesco Ricci, Kshitij Tandon, Jay R. Black, Kim-Anh Le Cao, Linda L. Blackall, Heroen Verbruggen
Summary: The success of tropical scleractinian corals depends on their ability to establish symbioses with microbial partners. This study investigated the influence of host phylogeny, skeletal architecture, and reproductive mode on the coral microbiome composition. The results showed that these factors contributed to shaping the presence and relative abundance of bacterial symbionts in the coral holobiont. Additionally, the study revealed differences in the tissue and skeleton bacterial communities, suggesting that the skeleton can act as a microbial reservoir. The findings provide insights into coral-bacterial symbioses and have implications for reef management measures.
Article
Microbiology
Talisa Doering, Marlene Wall, Lalita Putchim, Tipwimon Rattanawongwan, Roman Schroeder, Ute Hentschel, Anna Roik
Summary: The study found that coral recipients who received microbiome transplantation from heat-tolerant donors showed lower bleaching rates when exposed to short-term heat stress. Specific bacterial species from donors were identified in the microbial communities of recipients, indicating successful transmission. These findings suggest that recipient corals may preferentially take up putative bacterial symbionts, supporting resistance to heat stress more effectively than native symbionts. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of microbiome manipulation and to test the long-term persistence of these effects in field conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael T. Connelly, Grace Snyder, Ana M. Palacio-Castro, Phillip R. Gillette, Andrew C. Baker, Nikki Traylor-Knowles
Summary: This study demonstrated that antibiotics can alter the composition and reduce the diversity of coral-associated bacteria, leading to decreased oxygen consumption and activation of host immunity without directly impairing symbiotic algae photosynthesis. These findings highlight the importance of coral-associated bacteria for holobiont health and provide insights for future experiments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael T. Connelly, Crystal J. McRae, Pi-Jen Liu, Cecily E. Martin, Nikki Traylor-Knowles
Summary: This study investigates the impact of coral-associated bacteria communities on the heat tolerance of coral holobionts. The researchers found that antibiotics treatment significantly altered coral-associated bacteria communities and caused major changes in both coral and algal symbiont gene expression. Heat stress impaired protein translation and activated DNA repair processes, while antibiotics treatments caused downregulation of amino acid and ion transport and metabolism genes. Combined antibiotics-heat stress treatments exacerbated the response to heat stress, indicating the importance of coordinated metabolic interactions between corals and their associated microbial communities for coral holobiont health and heat tolerance.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sanqiang Gong, Jiayuan Liang, Xujie Jin, Lijia Xu, Meixia Zhao, Kefu Yu
Summary: This study investigated the microbiome of cold-water coral (CWC) species using metabarcoding, tissue section observation, and metatranscriptomes. The results revealed the diversity of bacteria and Symbiodiniaceae cells in CWC tissues, as well as the transcription levels of different genes. It showed that Symbiodiniaceae may have a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with CWC, and bacteria play important roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles in CWC.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sanqiang Gong, Jiayuan Liang, Xujie Jin, Lijia Xu, Meixia Zhao, Kefu Yu
Summary: Recent deep-ocean exploration has revealed the presence of various cold-water coral ecosystems worldwide, but the molecular-level association between microbiomes and these corals remains unclear. This study utilized metabarcoding, tissue section observation, and metatranscriptomes to investigate the microbiome of cold-water coral species and found that these corals host diverse bacteria and symbiotic algae cells.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Kathleen M. Morrow, M. Sabrina Pankey, Michael P. Lesser
Summary: The microbiome composition and diazotrophic community of corals are influenced by biogeography, coral traits, and ecological life history characteristics, with coral morphology being a significant factor. Different host species have a significant impact on the composition and diversity of the microbiome, especially on the diazotrophic community.
Article
Soil Science
Shawn P. Brown, Matthew Brogden, Christina Cortes, Avery E. Tucker, Allison Rick VandeVoort, Bruce A. Snyder
Summary: This study used the millipede Cherokia georgiana georgiana as a model and metabarcoding approach to investigate the impacts of millipedes on soil microbial communities with varying nitrogen levels. The research found that millipedes strongly alter soil communities, but nitrogen levels did not impact millipede gut communities. Additionally, the study provided evidence that millipede gut communities are mainly derived from soils rather than leaf litter.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Abigail S. Clark, Sara D. Williams, Kerry Maxwell, Stephanie M. Rosales, Lindsay K. Huebner, Jan H. Landsberg, John H. Hunt, Erinn M. Muller
Summary: The study revealed that coral colonies affected by SCTLD in five susceptible species exhibited specific microbial signatures, with the order Rhodobacterales and Clostridiales potentially playing key roles in the disease's progression. This suggests that stress-induced dysbiosis of coral microbiomes may contribute to the increase in opportunistic pathogens associated with SCTLD.
Article
Microbiology
Kshitij Tandon, Yu-Jing Chiou, Sheng-Ping Yu, Hernyi Justin Hsieh, Chih-Ying Lu, Ming-Tsung Hsu, Pei-Wen Chiang, Hsing-Ju Chen, Naohisa Wada, Sen-Lin Tang
Summary: This study aims to investigate the differential ability of different Endozoicomonas species to respond to environmental changes. Using a combination of metabarcoding, genomics, and comparative genomics approaches, the study found that different dominant Endozoicomonas species existed in coral colonies separated by a small distance, including a newly discovered species. Furthermore, these dominant Endozoicomonas species exhibited different potentials to scavenge reactive oxygen species, indicating differences in their response to the environment.
Review
Plant Sciences
Jordi Sardans, Hans Lambers, Catherine Preece, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Josep Penuelas
Summary: Anthropogenic global change is causing more frequent and intense drought and flood events, leading to imbalances and limitations in soil nutrients. This has become a global challenge for biodiversity conservation and food security. Plants have evolved strategies, such as mycorrhizas and root exudates, to enhance nutrient uptake under environmental stress conditions. However, the effects of these strategies on metal nutrients are still unclear. Therefore, further research is needed to improve nutrient uptake capacity in food crops.
Article
Soil Science
Elisabeth Ramm, Per Lennart Ambus, Silvia Gschwendtner, Chunyan Liu, Michael Schloter, Michael Dannenmann
Summary: Arctic tundra fires have been increasing in extent, frequency, and intensity, which can have significant impacts on soil nutrient cycling and permafrost ecosystem functioning. This study investigated the effects of low and high-intensity fires on the soil microbiome involved in nutrient cycling in permafrost-affected soil. The results showed that fire intensity had a significant influence on the abundance of microbial groups involved in nitrogen and phosphorus turnover.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaopeng Yu, Kefu Yu, Zhiheng Liao, Biao Chen, Chuanqi Deng, Jiaoyang Yu, Qiucui Yao, Zhenjun Qin, Jiayuan Liang
Summary: The symbiotic bacterial communities in high-latitude corals exhibit significant seasonal variations, with rapid restructuring of community structures. Sea surface temperature is identified as the major contributor to microbial community structure variation. The high diversity and abundance of symbiotic bacteria under high temperatures help corals maintain physiological functions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)