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
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
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
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
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
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kaz Kawamura, Koki Nishitsuji, Eiichi Shoguchi, Shigeki Fujiwara, Noriyuki Satoh
Summary: Planula larvae of Acropora tenuis coral were successfully dissociated into single cells using a tissue dissociation solution, leading to the establishment of in vitro cell lines. Brown-colored cells proliferated transiently, while translucent and pale blue cells decreased in number. The brown-colored cells exhibited morphogenesis-like behavior and continued to proliferate stably, expressing a specific set of genes corresponding to different cell properties.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Sanaz Hazraty-Kari, Parviz Tavakoli-Kolour, Seiya Kitanobo, Takashi Nakamura, Masaya Morita
Summary: Elevated temperatures can cause coral bleaching and reef degradation. However, this study found that coral may have the ability to cope with thermal stress by producing more heat-tolerant larvae. The stressed coral fragments showed a trade-off in egg production, with an increase in egg number but a decrease in size. Additionally, larvae and recruits from the stressed colony had marginally higher survival rates in higher water temperatures, which may contribute to improving coral reef resilience.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
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
Ecology
C. C. D'Aloia, S. M. Bogdanowicz, J. A. Andres, P. M. Buston
Summary: Long-distance dispersal in the coral reef fish Elacatinus lori was uncovered using genetic parentage analysis and population assignment tests. Low rates of gene flow were found between populations in the adult generation, and despite the potential for ocean currents to facilitate long-distance dispersal, the gene flow rate among settlers was also low. By combining these two methods, short- and long-distance dispersal can be identified effectively.
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arne A. S. Adam, Luke Thomas, Jim Underwood, James Gilmour, Zoe T. Richards
Summary: Anthropogenic climate change has caused widespread loss of species biodiversity and ecosystem productivity, particularly on tropical coral reefs. This study explores patterns of genetic offset in the reef-building coral Acropora digitifera across Western Australia using population genetic and seascape analyses. The findings reveal restricted gene flow and limited genetic connectivity among geographically distant reef systems, as well as loci strongly associated with regional temperature variation.
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kojin Tsuchiya, Yuna Zayasu, Yuichi Nakajima, Nana Arakaki, Go Suzuki, Noriyuki Satoh, Chuya Shinzato
Summary: Understanding the structure and connectivity of coral populations is crucial for marine conservation. This study reveals the complex migration tendencies and population dynamics of coral populations in the Nansei Islands, influenced by heterogeneity in ocean currents and local environments.
Article
Microbiology
Keigo Ide, Yohei Nishikawa, Toru Maruyama, Yuko Tsukada, Masato Kogawa, Hiroki Takeda, Haruka Ito, Ryota Wagatsuma, Rimi Miyaoka, Yoshikatsu Nakano, Koji Kinjo, Michihiro Ito, Masahito Hosokawa, Kei Yura, Shoichiro Suda, Haruko Takeyama
Summary: This study utilized a novel single-cell genomics technique to obtain the genomes of uncultured coral-associated Endozoicomonas spp. and discovered that different Endozoicomonas species may have varying host adaptation strategies and functional potentials.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
K. M. Quigley, M. J. H. van Oppen
Summary: This study combines remote sensing with breeding experiments to develop forecasting models for locating coral reefs with heritable heat tolerance. The findings predict hundreds of reefs that may be home to corals with high and heritable heat tolerance, which can be targeted for protection and restoration efforts.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
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
Microbiology
Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Jean-Baptiste Raina
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: The rapid growth in genomic techniques has the potential to transform marine life conservation and management. Guided by genomic data, transformative approaches are needed to enhance the resilience of marine species to climate change and other disturbances. Despite genetic techniques being employed in marine conservation for decades and the expanding availability of genomic data, its widespread application still lags behind other data types.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric D. Crandall, Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Ann E. Holmes, Maryam Ghoojaei, Michelle R. Gaither, Briana E. Wham, Andrea L. Pritt, Cory Noble, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Nan Himmelsbach, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney Weyand, Andrew Bentley, John Deck, Cynthia Riginos, Gideon S. Bradburd, Robert J. Toonen
Summary: Genetic diversity within species is important for species resilience and conservation policies, but most studies lack the necessary spatial and temporal metadata for reusability and acknowledging sovereignty. We conducted a datathon and found that metadata decayed over time, with successful restoration through papers and online repositories being more effective than contacting authors directly. The rapid decay of metadata availability should prompt updates to data-sharing policies and researcher practices.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas J. Richards, Katrina McGuigan, J. David Aguirre, Adriana Humanes, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby, Cynthia Riginos
Summary: Global environmental change is happening rapidly, with coral reefs being one of the most threatened ecosystems. To ensure the survival of wild populations, adaptation is necessary. However, our understanding of the complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics of corals is limited, hindering predictions about their ability to adapt to future conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(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
Environmental Sciences
Graeme S. Cumming, Maja Adamska, Michele L. Barnes, Jon Barnett, David R. Bellwood, Joshua E. Cinner, Philippa J. Cohen, Jennifer M. Donelson, Katharina Fabricius, R. Quentin Grafton, Alana Grech, Georgina G. Gurney, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew S. Hoey, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Jacqueline Lau, Catherine E. Lovelock, Ryan Lowe, David J. Miller, Tiffany H. Morrison, Peter J. Mumby, Martin Nakata, John M. Pandolfi, Garry D. Peterson, Morgan S. Pratchett, Timothy Ravasi, Cynthia Riginos, Jodie L. Rummer, Britta Schaffelke, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: SDG 14 aims to secure marine sustainability by 2030, and understanding the changing seascape, global actions, and the collaboration between science and society are vital for achieving this goal in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a horizon scan, researchers identified nine emerging research priorities that can contribute to marine sustainability, including understanding seascape evolution, drivers of change, and the costs and benefits to people. Researchers can contribute by developing interdisciplinary understandings, emphasizing equity and justice, and improving knowledge of cross-scale processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Gareth B. Jenkins, Andrew P. Beckerman, Celine Bellard, Ana Benitez-Lopez, Aaron M. Ellison, Christopher G. Foote, Andrew L. Hufton, Marcus A. Lashley, Christopher J. Lortie, Zhaoxue Ma, Allen J. Moore, Shawn R. Narum, Johan Nilsson, Bridget O'Boyle, Diogo B. Provete, Orly Razgour, Loren Rieseberg, Cynthia Riginos, Luca Santini, Benjamin Sibbett, Pedro R. Peres-Neto
Summary: We urge journals to mandate archiving open data in a user-friendly format for readers. Consistent implementation will allow contributors to receive recognition through open data citation and promote scientific advancements.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Wing Yan Chan, David Rudd, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Microbial symbionts in multicellular hosts often localize within specific body structures or cell types, playing critical roles in host health and nutrient exchange. However, conventional methods for measuring host-microbe metabolite exchange have limitations. In this study, we developed a mass spectrometry imaging workflow that allows for in situ analysis of host and symbiont metabolomes in a cnidarian animal without the need for isotopic labeling or skeleton decalcification. Our findings reveal the importance of specific lipids in regulating symbiont acquisition and distribution, and demonstrate the impact of symbiont identity on host metabolism.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Hugo J. Scharfenstein, Carlos Alvarez-Roa, Lesa M. Peplow, Patrick Buerger, Wing Yan Chan, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Through chemical mutagenesis and thermal selection, Durusdinium trenchii, Fugacium kawagutii, and Symbiodinium pilosum strains of Symbiodiniaceae showed increased photosynthetic efficiency under thermal stress. However, there were trade-offs in the growth rates of the heat-evolved D. trenchii lineage at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Reduced nutrient uptake rates in F. kawagutii and S. pilosum heat-evolved lineages suggest changes in nutrition resource usage and allocation processes. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological responses and adaptive capacity of Symbiodiniaceae cultures to thermal selection.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wing Yan Chan, Luka Meyers, David Rudd, Sanjida H. Topa, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Experimental evolution of coral microalgal symbionts can enhance the thermotolerance of adult corals without trade-off against growth under ambient temperature. This study demonstrates that heat-evolved symbionts can persist in corals for a long time and potentially provide long-term benefits to coral thermotolerance.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Keren Maor-Landaw, Marion Eisenhut, Giada Tortorelli, Allison van de Meene, Samantha Kurz, Gabriela Segal, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Andreas P. M. Weber, Geoffrey I. McFadden
Summary: The symbiotic partnership between corals and dinoflagellate algae is crucial for coral reefs. The transporter protein BmSWEET1 in dinoflagellate cells is responsible for transferring glucose from algae to the host coral tissue, providing the necessary energy for coral reefs. This study provides insights into the mechanism of nutrient exchange in coral-algae symbiosis.
ISME COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cynthia Riginos, Marlene Jahnke
Summary: Comparative methods are crucial for understanding biodiversity distribution, yet current research primarily focuses on single species. In this study, Zbinden et al. utilized landscape genetics to investigate the landscape genomics of 31 fish species in the White River Basin, revealing the significant impact of stream hierarchy on fish population structure. These findings provide empirical evidence for conservation and fisheries management.