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Gomez-Campo K, Sanchez R, Martínez-Rugerio I, Yang X, Maher T, Osborne CC, Enriquez S, Baums IB, Mackenzie SA, Iglesias-Prieto R. Phenotypic plasticity for improved light harvesting, in tandem with methylome repatterning in reef-building corals. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17246. [PMID: 38153177 PMCID: PMC10922902 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Acclimatization through phenotypic plasticity represents a more rapid response to environmental change than adaptation and is vital to optimize organisms' performance in different conditions. Generally, animals are less phenotypically plastic than plants, but reef-building corals exhibit plant-like properties. They are light dependent with a sessile and modular construction that facilitates rapid morphological changes within their lifetime. We induced phenotypic changes by altering light exposure in a reciprocal transplant experiment and found that coral plasticity is a colony trait emerging from comprehensive morphological and physiological changes within the colony. Plasticity in skeletal features optimized coral light harvesting and utilization and paralleled significant methylome and transcriptome modifications. Network-associated responses resulted in the identification of hub genes and clusters associated to the change in phenotype: inter-partner recognition and phagocytosis, soft tissue growth and biomineralization. Furthermore, we identified hub genes putatively involved in animal photoreception-phototransduction. These findings fundamentally advance our understanding of how reef-building corals repattern the methylome and adjust a phenotype, revealing an important role of light sensing by the coral animal to optimize photosynthetic performance of the symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Gomez-Campo
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Robersy Sanchez
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Xiaodong Yang
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Tom Maher
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - C. Cornelia Osborne
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Susana Enriquez
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 77580, México
| | - Iliana B. Baums
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sally A. Mackenzie
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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2
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Scucchia F, Wong K, Zaslansky P, Putnam HM, Goodbody-Gringley G, Mass T. Morphological and genetic mechanisms underlying the plasticity of the coral Porites astreoides across depths in Bermuda. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108036. [PMID: 37832837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The widespread decline of shallow-water coral reefs has fueled interest in assessing whether mesophotic reefs can act as refugia replenishing deteriorated shallower reefs through larval exchange. Here we explore the morphological and molecular basis facilitating survival of planulae and adults of the coral Porites astreoides (Lamarck, 1816; Hexacorallia: Poritidae) along the vertical depth gradient in Bermuda. We found differences in micro-skeletal features such as bigger calyxes and coarser surface of the skeletal spines in shallow corals. Yet, tomographic reconstructions reveal an analogous mineral distribution between shallow and mesophotic adults, pointing to similar skeleton growth dynamics. Our study reveals patterns of host genetic connectivity and minimal symbiont depth-zonation across a broader depth range than previously known for this species in Bermuda. Transcriptional variations across life stages showed different regulation of metabolism and stress response functions, unraveling molecular responses to environmental conditions at different depths. Overall, these findings increase our understanding of coral acclimatory capability across broad vertical gradients, ultimately allowing better evaluation of the refugia potential of mesophotic reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Scucchia
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel.
| | - Kevin Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, United States
| | - Paul Zaslansky
- Department for Operative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, United States
| | - Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands; Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George's, Bermuda
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel.
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3
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Bellworthy J, Pardo R, Scucchia F, Zaslansky P, Goodbody-Gringley G, Mass T. Physiological and morphological plasticity in Stylophora pistillata larvae from Eilat, Israel, to shallow and mesophotic light conditions. iScience 2023; 26:106969. [PMID: 37534177 PMCID: PMC10391605 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesophotic reefs have been proposed as climate change refugia but are not synonymous ecosystems with shallow reefs and remain exposed to anthropogenic impacts. Planulae from the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata, Gulf of Aqaba, from 5- and 45-m depth were tested ex situ for capacity to settle, grow, and acclimate to reciprocal light conditions. Skeletons were scanned by phase contrast-enhanced micro-CT to study morphology. Deep planulae had reduced volume, smaller diameter on settlement, and greater algal symbiont density. Light conditions did not have significant impact on settlement or mortality rates. Photosynthetic acclimation of algal symbionts was evident within 21-35 days after settlement but growth rate and polyp development were slower for individuals translocated away from their parental origin compared to controls. Though our data reveal rapid symbiont acclimation, reduced growth rates and limited capacity for skeletal modification likely limit the potential for mesophotic larvae to settle on shallow reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bellworthy
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel
| | - Rachel Pardo
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Federica Scucchia
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel
| | - Paul Zaslansky
- Department for Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité Dental School – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
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4
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Different skeletal protein toolkits achieve similar structure and performance in the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata and the temperate Oculina patagonica. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16575. [PMID: 36195656 PMCID: PMC9532382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Stony corals (order: Scleractinia) differ in growth form and structure. While stony corals have gained the ability to form their aragonite skeleton once in their evolution, the suite of proteins involved in skeletogenesis is different for different coral species. This led to the conclusion that the organic portion of their skeleton can undergo rapid evolutionary changes by independently evolving new biomineralization-related proteins. Here, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to sequence skeletogenic proteins extracted from the encrusting temperate coral Oculina patagonica. We compare it to the previously published skeletal proteome of the branching subtropical corals Stylophora pistillata as both are regarded as highly resilient to environmental changes. We further characterized the skeletal organic matrix (OM) composition of both taxa and tested their effects on the mineral formation using a series of overgrowth experiments on calcite seeds. We found that each species utilizes a different set of proteins containing different amino acid compositions and achieve a different morphology modification capacity on calcite overgrowth. Our results further support the hypothesis that the different coral taxa utilize a species-specific protein set comprised of independent gene co-option to construct their own unique organic matrix framework. While the protein set differs between species, the specific predicted roles of the whole set appear to underline similar functional roles. They include assisting in forming the extracellular matrix, nucleation of the mineral and cell signaling. Nevertheless, the different composition might be the reason for the varying organization of the mineral growth in the presence of a particular skeletal OM, ultimately forming their distinct morphologies.
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5
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Kramer N, Guan J, Chen S, Wangpraseurt D, Loya Y. Morpho-functional traits of the coral Stylophora pistillata enhance light capture for photosynthesis at mesophotic depths. Commun Biol 2022; 5:861. [PMID: 36002592 PMCID: PMC9402581 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03829-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The morphological architecture of photosynthetic corals modulates the light capture and functioning of the coral-algal symbiosis on shallow-water corals. Since corals can thrive on mesophotic reefs under extreme light-limited conditions, we hypothesized that microskeletal coral features enhance light capture under low-light environments. Utilizing micro-computed tomography scanning, we conducted a novel comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) assessment of the small-scale skeleton morphology of the depth-generalist coral Stylophora pistillata collected from shallow (4–5 m) and mesophotic (45–50 m) depths. We detected a high phenotypic diversity between depths, resulting in two distinct morphotypes, with calyx diameter, theca height, and corallite marginal spacing contributing to most of the variation between depths. To determine whether such depth-specific morphotypes affect coral light capture and photosynthesis on the corallite scale, we developed 3D simulations of light propagation and photosynthesis. We found that microstructural features of corallites from mesophotic corals provide a greater ability to use solar energy under light-limited conditions; while corals associated with shallow morphotypes avoided excess light through self-shading skeletal architectures. The results from our study suggest that skeleton morphology plays a key role in coral photoadaptation to light-limited environments. Micro-computed tomography scanning and 3D light simulation models reveals distinct morphotypes of the coral species Stylophora pistillata depending on depth, and suggest that coral skeletal micromorphology plays a key role in coral photoadaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Netanel Kramer
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Jiaao Guan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Shaochen Chen
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Daniel Wangpraseurt
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA.,Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Yossi Loya
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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6
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Carpenter GE, Chequer AD, Weber S, Mass T, Goodbody‐Gringley G. Light and photoacclimatization drive distinct differences between shallow and mesophotic coral communities. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gaby E. Carpenter
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Alex D. Chequer
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Sabrina Weber
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa Mount Carmel Haifa Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Sdot Yam Israel
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7
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Seiblitz IGL, Vaga CF, Capel KCC, Cairns SD, Stolarski J, Quattrini AM, Kitahara MV. Caryophylliids (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) and mitochondrial gene order: insights from mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenomics. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 175:107565. [PMID: 35787457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly, the family Caryophylliidae is polyphyletic and different sets of genetic data converge towards a consensus that a taxonomic review of this family is necessary. Overall, the order of genes in the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) together with DNA sequences have been used to successfully untangle evolutionary relationships in several groups of organisms. Published mitogenomes of two caryophylliid genera (Desmophyllum and Solenosmilia) present a transposition of the gene block containing cob, nad2, and nad6, which is located between nad5 5' exon and trnW, while that of Polycyathus chaishanensis presents the same gene order as the majority of scleractinian corals. In molecular-based evolutionary reconstructions, caryophylliids that have the mitochondrial gene rearrangement were recovered as a monophyletic lineage ("true" caryophylliids), while members of the genus Polycyathus were placed in a different position. In this study, additional mitogenomes of this family were assembled and included in evolutionary reconstructions of Scleractinia in order to improve our understanding on whether the mitogenome gene rearrangement is limited to and, therefore, could be a synapomorphy of the actual members of Caryophylliidae. Specimens of Caryophyllia scobinosa, Premocyathus sp., Heterocyathus sulcatus, and Trochocyathus caryophylloides, as well as Desmophyllum pertusum and Solenosmilia variabilis from the Southwest Atlantic were sequenced using Illumina platforms. Then, mitochondrial genomes were assembled and annotated, and nuclear datasets were recovered in-silico from assembled contigs using a previously published set of baits. Evolutionary reconstructions were performed using mitochondrial and nuclear datasets and based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference. Obtained mitogenomes are circular and range between 15,816 and 18,225 bp in size and from 30.76% to 36.63% in GC content. The gene rearrangement is only seen in C. scobinosa, D. pertusum, Premocyathus sp., and S. variabilis, which were recovered as a monophyletic clade in both mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies. On the other hand, the "caryophylliids" with the canonical mitogenome gene order were not recovered within this clade. Differences in features of the skeleton of "true" caryophylliids in comparison to traditional members of the family were observed and offer further support that the gene rearrangement might be seen as a synapomorphy of family Caryophylliidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G L Seiblitz
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - C F Vaga
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - K C C Capel
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Department of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, 11070-100 Santos, Brazil
| | - S D Cairns
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560-0163 United States of America
| | - J Stolarski
- Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - A M Quattrini
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560-0163 United States of America
| | - M V Kitahara
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Department of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo, 11070-100 Santos, Brazil.
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8
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Kramer N, Tamir R, Ben‐Zvi O, Jacques SL, Loya Y, Wangpraseurt D. Efficient light‐harvesting of mesophotic corals is facilitated by coral optical traits. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raz Tamir
- School of Zoology Tel‐Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat Eilat Israel
| | - Or Ben‐Zvi
- School of Zoology Tel‐Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat Eilat Israel
| | - Steven L. Jacques
- Department of Bioengineering University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Yossi Loya
- School of Zoology Tel‐Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Daniel Wangpraseurt
- Department of Nanoengineering University of California San Diego San Diego CA USA
- Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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9
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Martinez S, Bellworthy J, Ferrier-Pagès C, Mass T. Selection of mesophotic habitats by Oculina patagonica in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea following global warming. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18134. [PMID: 34518595 PMCID: PMC8438053 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97447-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, species are migrating in an attempt to track optimal isotherms as climate change increasingly warms existing habitats. Stony corals are severely threatened by anthropogenic warming, which has resulted in repeated mass bleaching and mortality events. Since corals are sessile as adults and with a relatively old age of sexual maturity, they are slow to latitudinally migrate, but corals may also migrate vertically to deeper, cooler reefs. Herein we describe vertical migration of the Mediterranean coral Oculina patagonica from less than 10 m depth to > 30 m. We suggest that this range shift is a response to rapidly warming sea surface temperatures on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline. In contrast to the vast latitudinal distance required to track temperature change, this species has migrated deeper where summer water temperatures are up to 2 °C cooler. Comparisons of physiology, morphology, trophic position, symbiont type, and photochemistry between deep and shallow conspecifics revealed only a few depth-specific differences. At this study site, shallow colonies typically inhabit low light environments (caves, crevices) and have a facultative relationship with photosymbionts. We suggest that this existing phenotype aided colonization of the mesophotic zone. This observation highlights the potential for other marine species to vertically migrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Martinez
- grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel ,grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel ,grid.452353.60000 0004 0550 8241Coral Ecophysiology Team, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, Monaco City, 98000 Monaco
| | - Jessica Bellworthy
- grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel ,grid.440849.50000 0004 0496 208XThe Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel
| | - Christine Ferrier-Pagès
- grid.452353.60000 0004 0550 8241Coral Ecophysiology Team, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, Monaco City, 98000 Monaco
| | - Tali Mass
- grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel ,grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
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10
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Voolstra CR, Valenzuela JJ, Turkarslan S, Cárdenas A, Hume BCC, Perna G, Buitrago-López C, Rowe K, Orellana MV, Baliga NS, Paranjape S, Banc-Prandi G, Bellworthy J, Fine M, Frias-Torres S, Barshis DJ. Contrasting heat stress response patterns of coral holobionts across the Red Sea suggest distinct mechanisms of thermal tolerance. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4466-4480. [PMID: 34342082 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Corals from the northern Red Sea, in particular the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), have exceptionally high bleaching thresholds approaching >5℃ above their maximum monthly mean (MMM) temperatures. These elevated thresholds are thought to be due to historical selection, as corals passed through the warmer Southern Red Sea during recolonization from the Arabian Sea. To test this hypothesis, we determined thermal tolerance thresholds of GoA versus central Red Sea (CRS) Stylophora pistillata corals using multi-temperature acute thermal stress assays to determine thermal thresholds. Relative thermal thresholds of GoA and CRS corals were indeed similar and exceptionally high (~7℃ above MMM). However, absolute thermal thresholds of CRS corals were on average 3℃ above those of GoA corals. To explore the molecular underpinnings, we determined gene expression and microbiome response of the coral holobiont. Transcriptomic responses differed markedly, with a strong response to the thermal stress in GoA corals and their symbiotic algae versus a remarkably muted response in CRS colonies. Concomitant to this, coral and algal genes showed temperature-induced expression in GoA corals, while exhibiting fixed high expression (front-loading) in CRS corals. Bacterial community composition of GoA corals changed dramatically under heat stress, whereas CRS corals displayed stable assemblages. We interpret the response of GoA corals as that of a resilient population approaching a tipping point in contrast to a pattern of consistently elevated thermal resistance in CRS corals that cannot further attune. Such response differences suggest distinct thermal tolerance mechanisms that may affect the response of coral populations to ocean warming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anny Cárdenas
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Gabriela Perna
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Katherine Rowe
- School of Science, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Monica V Orellana
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, USA.,Polar Science Center, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Nitin S Baliga
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, USA.,Departments of Biology and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, USA
| | | | - Guilhem Banc-Prandi
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences (IUI), Eilat, Israel.,The Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Jessica Bellworthy
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences (IUI), Eilat, Israel.,The Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Maoz Fine
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences (IUI), Eilat, Israel.,The Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | | | - Daniel J Barshis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA
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11
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Fifer J, Bentlage B, Lemer S, Fujimura AG, Sweet M, Raymundo LJ. Going with the flow: How corals in high-flow environments can beat the heat. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2009-2024. [PMID: 33655552 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs are experiencing unprecedented declines in health on a global scale leading to severe reductions in coral cover. One major cause of this decline is increasing sea surface temperature. However, conspecific colonies separated by even small spatial distances appear to show varying responses to this global stressor. One factor contributing to differential responses to heat stress is variability in the coral's micro-environment, such as the amount of water flow a coral experiences. High flow provides corals with a variety of health benefits, including heat stress mitigation. Here, we investigate how water flow affects coral gene expression and provides resilience to increasing temperatures. We examined host and photosymbiont gene expression of Acropora cf. pulchra colonies in discrete in situ flow environments during a natural bleaching event. In addition, we conducted controlled ex situ tank experiments where we exposed A. cf. pulchra to different flow regimes and acute heat stress. Notably, we observed distinct flow-driven transcriptomic signatures related to energy expenditure, growth, heterotrophy and a healthy coral host-photosymbiont relationship. We also observed disparate transcriptomic responses during bleaching recovery between the high- and low-flow sites. Additionally, corals exposed to high flow showed "frontloading" of specific heat-stress-related genes such as heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes, genes involved in apoptosis regulation, innate immunity and cell adhesion. We posit that frontloading is a result of increased oxidative metabolism generated by the increased water movement. Gene frontloading may at least partially explain the observation that colonies in high-flow environments show higher survival and/or faster recovery in response to bleaching events.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Fifer
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA.,Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bastian Bentlage
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA
| | - Sarah Lemer
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA
| | | | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Laurie J Raymundo
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, USA
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12
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13
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Martinez S, Kolodny Y, Shemesh E, Scucchia F, Nevo R, Levin-Zaidman S, Paltiel Y, Keren N, Tchernov D, Mass T. Energy Sources of the Depth-Generalist Mixotrophic Coral Stylophora pistillata. FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE 2020; 7:988. [PMID: 33409285 PMCID: PMC7116548 DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.566663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Energy sources of corals, ultimately sunlight and plankton availability, change dramatically from shallow to mesophotic (30-150 m) reefs. Depth-generalist corals, those that occupy both of these two distinct ecosystems, are adapted to cope with such extremely diverse conditions. In this study, we investigated the trophic strategy of the depth-generalist hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata and the ability of mesophotic colonies to adapt to shallow reefs. We compared symbiont genera composition, photosynthetic traits and the holobiont trophic position and carbon sources, calculated from amino acids compound-specific stable isotope analysis (AA-CSIA), of shallow, mesophotic and translocated corals. This species harbors different Symbiodiniaceae genera at the two depths: Cladocopium goreaui (dominant in mesophotic colonies) and Symbiodinium microadriaticum (dominant in shallow colonies) with a limited change after transplantation. This allowed us to determine which traits stem from hosting different symbiont species compositions across the depth gradient. Calculation of holobiont trophic position based on amino acid δ15N revealed that heterotrophy represents the same portion of the total energy budget in both depths, in contrast to the dogma that predation is higher in corals growing in low light conditions. Photosynthesis is the major carbon source to corals growing at both depths, but the photosynthetic rate is higher in the shallow reef corals, implicating both higher energy consumption and higher predation rate in the shallow habitat. In the corals transplanted from deep to shallow reef, we observed extensive photo-acclimation by the Symbiodiniaceae cells, including substantial cellular morphological modifications, increased cellular chlorophyll a, lower antennae to photosystems ratios and carbon signature similar to the local shallow colonies. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching remains low and does not increase to cope with the high light regime of the shallow reef. Furthermore, host acclimation is much slower in these deep-to-shallow transplanted corals as evident from the lower trophic position and tissue density compared to the shallow-water corals, even after long-term transplantation (18 months). Our results suggest that while mesophotic reefs could serve as a potential refuge for shallow corals, the transition is complex, as even after a year and a half the acclimation is only partial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Martinez
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine
Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of
Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
| | - Yuval Kolodny
- Applied Physics Department, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Shemesh
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine
Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Federica Scucchia
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine
Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat,
Israel
| | - Reinat Nevo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science,
Rehovot, Israel
| | - Smadar Levin-Zaidman
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yossi Paltiel
- Applied Physics Department, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nir Keren
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander
Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Israel
| | - Dan Tchernov
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine
Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of
Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine
Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of
Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
- Correspondence: Tali Mass,
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Scucchia F, Nativ H, Neder M, Goodbody-Gringley G, Mass T. Physiological characteristics of Stylophora pistillata larvae across a depth gradient. FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE 2020; 7:00013. [PMID: 31993434 PMCID: PMC6986922 DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Depth related parameters, specifically light, affect different aspects of corals physiology, including fluorescence. GFP-like pigments found in many coral species have been suggested to serve a variety of functions, including photo-protection and photo-enhancement. Using fluorescence imaging and molecular analysis, we further investigated the role of these proteins on the physiology of the coral Stylophora pistillata and its algal partners. Fluorescence was found to differ significantly between depths for larvae and adult colonies. Larvae from the shallow reef presented a higher GFP expression and a greater fluorescence intensity compared to the larvae from the mesophotic reef, reflecting the elevated need for photo-protection against high light levels characteristic of the shallow reef, thus supporting the "sunscreen" hypothesis. Additionally, given the lower but still occurring protein expression under non-damaging low light conditions, our results suggest that GFP-like proteins might act to regulate the amount of photosynthetically usable light for the benefit of the symbiotic algae. Moreover, we propose that the differences in GFP expression and green fluorescence between shallow and deep larvae indicate that the GFPs within coral larvae might serve to attract and retain different symbiont clades, increasing the chances of survival when encountering new environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Scucchia
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat 88103, Israel
| | - Hagai Nativ
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Maayan Neder
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat 88103, Israel
| | | | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel
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