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Voolstra CR, Raina JB, Dörr M, Cárdenas A, Pogoreutz C, Silveira CB, Mohamed AR, Bourne DG, Luo H, Amin SA, Peixoto RS. The coral microbiome in sickness, in health and in a changing world. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:460-475. [PMID: 38438489 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Stony corals, the engines and engineers of reef ecosystems, face unprecedented threats from anthropogenic environmental change. Corals are holobionts that comprise the cnidarian animal host and a diverse community of bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotic microorganisms. Recent research shows that the bacterial microbiome has a pivotal role in coral biology. A healthy bacterial assemblage contributes to nutrient cycling and stress resilience, but pollution, overfishing and climate change can break down these symbiotic relationships, which results in disease, bleaching and, ultimately, coral death. Although progress has been made in characterizing the spatial-temporal diversity of bacteria, we are only beginning to appreciate their functional contribution. In this Review, we summarize the ecological and metabolic interactions between bacteria and other holobiont members, highlight the biotic and abiotic factors influencing the structure of bacterial communities and discuss the impact of climate change on these communities and their coral hosts. We emphasize how microbiome-based interventions can help to decipher key mechanisms underpinning coral health and promote reef resilience. Finally, we explore how recent technological developments may be harnessed to address some of the most pressing challenges in coral microbiology, providing a road map for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Melanie Dörr
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anny Cárdenas
- Department of Biology, American University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Claudia Pogoreutz
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | | | - Amin R Mohamed
- Marine Microbiomics Laboratory, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - David G Bourne
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Haiwei Luo
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shady A Amin
- Marine Microbiomics Laboratory, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raquel S Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) and Computational Biology Research Center (CBRC), Biological, Environmental Sciences, and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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Hamamoto K, Mizuyama M, Nishijima M, Maeda A, Gibu K, Poliseno A, Iguchi A, Reimer JD. Diversity, composition and potential roles of sedimentary microbial communities in different coastal substrates around subtropical Okinawa Island, Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:54. [PMID: 39080706 PMCID: PMC11290285 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00594-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marine benthic prokaryotic communities play crucial roles in material recycling within coastal environments, including coral reefs. Coastal sedimentary microbiomes are particularly important as potential reservoirs of symbiotic, beneficial, and pathogenic bacteria in coral reef environments, and therefore presumably play a core role in local ecosystem functioning. However, there is a lack of studies comparing different environments with multiple sites on the island scale, particularly studies focusing on prokaryotic communities, as previous investigations have focused mainly on a single site or on specific environmental conditions. In our study, we collected coastal sediments from seven sites around Okinawa Island, Japan, including three different benthic types; sandy bottoms, seagrass meadows, and hard substratum with living scleractinian corals. We then used metabarcoding to identify prokaryotic compositions and estimate enzymes encoded by genes to infer their functions. RESULTS The results showed that the three substrata had significantly different prokaryotic compositions. Seagrass meadow sites exhibited significantly higher prokaryotic alpha-diversity compared to sandy bottom sites. ANCOM analysis revealed that multiple bacterial orders were differentially abundant within each substratum. At coral reef sites, putative disease- and thermal stress-related opportunistic bacteria such as Rhodobacterales, Verrucomicrobiales, and Cytophagales were comparatively abundant, while seagrass meadow sites abundantly harbored Desulfobacterales, Steroidobacterales and Chromatiales, which are common bacterial orders in seagrass meadows. According to our gene-coded enzyme analyses the numbers of differentially abundant enzymes were highest in coral reef sites. Notably, superoxide dismutase, an important enzyme for anti-oxidative stress in coral tissue, was abundant at coral sites. Our results provide a list of prokaryotes to look into in each substrate, and further emphasize the importance of considering the microbiome, especially when focusing on environmental conservation. CONCLUSION Our findings prove that prokaryotic metabarcoding is capable of capturing compositional differences and the diversity of microbial communities in three different environments. Furthermore, several taxa were suggested to be differentially more abundant in specific environments, and gene-coded enzymic compositions also showed possible differences in ecological functions. Further study, in combination with field observations and temporal sampling, is key to achieving a better understanding of the interactions between the local microbiome and the surrounding benthic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Hamamoto
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan.
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan.
| | - Masaru Mizuyama
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan
- Department of Health Informatics, Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Meio University, Nago, Okinawa, 905-8585, Japan
| | - Miyuki Nishijima
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan
| | - Ayumi Maeda
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Kodai Gibu
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan
| | - Angelo Poliseno
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Akira Iguchi
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan.
- Research Laboratory on Environmentally-Conscious Developments and Technologies [E-code], National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8567, Japan.
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
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Vohsen SA, Herrera S. Coral microbiomes are structured by environmental gradients in deep waters. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:38. [PMID: 38858739 PMCID: PMC11165896 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00579-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coral-associated microbiomes vary greatly between colonies and localities with functional consequences on the host. However, the full extent of variability across the ranges of most coral species remains unknown, especially for corals living in deep waters which span greater ranges. Here, we characterized the microbiomes of four octocoral species from mesophotic and bathyal deep-sea habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Muricea pendula, Swiftia exserta, Callogorgia delta, and Paramuricea biscaya, using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. We sampled extensively across their ranges to test for microbiome differentiation between and within species, examining the influence of environmental factors that vary with depth (53-2224 m) and geographic location (over 680 m) as well as the host coral's genotype using RAD-sequencing. RESULTS Coral microbiomes were often dominated by amplicon sequence variants whose abundances varied across their hosts' ranges, including symbiotic taxa: corallicolids, Endozoicomonas, members of the Mollicutes, and the BD1-7 clade. Coral species, depth, and geographic location significantly affected diversity, microbial community composition, and the relative abundance of individual microbes. Depth was the strongest environmental factor determining microbiome structure within species, which influenced the abundance of most dominant symbiotic taxa. Differences in host genotype, bottom temperature, and surface primary productivity could explain a significant part of the microbiome variation associated with depth and geographic location. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, this work demonstrates that the microbiomes of corals in deep waters vary substantially across their ranges in accordance with depth and other environmental conditions. It reveals that the influence of depth on the ecology of mesophotic and deep-sea corals extends to its effects on their microbiomes which may have functional consequences. This work also identifies the distributions of microbes including potential parasites which can be used to inform restoration plans in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Vohsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
- Lehigh Oceans Research Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
| | - Santiago Herrera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
- Lehigh Oceans Research Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
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Mafra D, Borges NA, Baptista BG, Martins LF, Borland G, Shiels PG, Stenvinkel P. What Can the Gut Microbiota of Animals Teach Us about the Relationship between Nutrition and Burden of Lifestyle Diseases? Nutrients 2024; 16:1789. [PMID: 38892721 PMCID: PMC11174762 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111789] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota performs several crucial roles in a holobiont with its host, including immune regulation, nutrient absorption, synthesis, and defense against external pathogens, significantly influencing host physiology. Disruption of the gut microbiota has been linked to various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, kidney, liver, respiratory, and intestinal diseases. Studying how animals adapt their gut microbiota across their life course at different life stages and under the dynamics of extreme environmental conditions can provide valuable insights from the natural world into how the microbiota modulates host biology, with a view to translating these into treatments or preventative measures for human diseases. By modulating the gut microbiota, opportunities to address many complications associated with chronic diseases appear. Such a biomimetic approach holds promise for exploring new strategies in healthcare and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Mafra
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences and Graduate Program in Nutrition Sciences, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói 24020-141, Brazil;
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences—Physiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Natália A. Borges
- Graduate Program in Food, Nutrition, and Health, Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil;
| | - Beatriz G. Baptista
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences and Graduate Program in Nutrition Sciences, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói 24020-141, Brazil;
| | - Layla F. Martins
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-220, Brazil;
| | - Gillian Borland
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (G.B.); (P.G.S.)
| | - Paul G. Shiels
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (G.B.); (P.G.S.)
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Technology and Intervention, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Ju H, Zhang J, Zou Y, Xie F, Tang X, Zhang S, Li J. Bacteria undergo significant shifts while archaea maintain stability in Pocillopora damicornis under sustained heat stress. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118469. [PMID: 38354884 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Global warming reportedly poses a critical risk to coral reef ecosystems. Bacteria and archaea are crucial components of the coral holobiont. The response of archaea associated with warming is less well understood than that of the bacterial community in corals. Also, there have been few studies on the dynamics of the microbial community in the coral holobiont under long-term heat stress. In order to track the dynamic alternations in the microbial communities within the heat-stressed coral holobiont, three-week heat-stress monitoring was carried out on the coral Pocillopora damicornis. The findings demonstrate that the corals were stressed at 32 °C, and showed a gradual decrease in Symbiodiniaceae density with increasing duration of heat stress. The archaeal community in the coral holobiont remained relatively unaltered by the increasing temperature, whereas the bacterial community was considerably altered. Sustained heat stress exacerbated the dissimilarities among parallel samples of the bacterial community, confirming the Anna Karenina Principle in animal microbiomes. Heat stress leads to more complex and unstable microbial networks, characterized by an increased average degree and decreased modularity, respectively. With the extension of heat stress duration, the relative abundances of the gene (nifH) and genus (Tistlia) associated with nitrogen fixation increased in coral samples, as well as the potential pathogenic bacteria (Flavobacteriales) and opportunistic bacteria (Bacteroides). Hence, our findings suggest that coral hosts might recruit nitrogen-fixing bacteria during the initial stages of suffering heat stress. An environment that is conducive to the colonization and development of opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria when the coral host becomes more susceptible as heat stress duration increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Ju
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiyang Zou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Feiyang Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Si Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Jie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Miller TC, Bentlage B. Seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of tissue and mucus microbiomes in the staghorn coral Acropora pulchra. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17421. [PMID: 38827308 PMCID: PMC11144401 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rainfall-induced coastal runoff represents an important environmental impact in near-shore coral reefs that may affect coral-associated bacterial microbiomes. Shifts in microbiome community composition and function can stress corals and ultimately cause mortality and reef declines. Impacts of environmental stress may be site specific and differ between coral microbiome compartments (e.g., tissue versus mucus). Coastal runoff and associated water pollution represent a major stressor for near-shore reef-ecosystems in Guam, Micronesia. Methods Acropora pulchra colonies growing on the West Hagåtña reef flat in Guam were sampled over a period of 8 months spanning the 2021 wet and dry seasons. To examine bacterial microbiome diversity and composition, samples of A. pulchra tissue and mucus were collected during late April, early July, late September, and at the end of December. Samples were collected from populations in two different habitat zones, near the reef crest (farshore) and close to shore (nearshore). Seawater samples were collected during the same time period to evaluate microbiome dynamics of the waters surrounding coral colonies. Tissue, mucus, and seawater microbiomes were characterized using 16S DNA metabarcoding in conjunction with Illumina sequencing. In addition, water samples were collected to determine fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations as an indicator of water pollution. Water temperatures were recorded using data loggers and precipitation data obtained from a nearby rain gauge. The correlation structure of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall), FIB concentrations, and A. pulchra microbiome diversity was evaluated using a structural equation model. Beta diversity analyses were used to investigate spatio-temporal trends of microbiome composition. Results Acropora pulchra microbiome diversity differed between tissues and mucus, with mucus microbiome diversity being similar to the surrounding seawater. Rainfall and associated fluctuations of FIB concentrations were correlated with changes in tissue and mucus microbiomes, indicating their role as drivers of A. pulchra microbiome diversity. A. pulchra tissue microbiome composition remained relatively stable throughout dry and wet seasons; tissues were dominated by Endozoicomonadaceae, coral endosymbionts and putative indicators of coral health. In nearshore A. pulchra tissue microbiomes, Simkaniaceae, putative obligate coral endosymbionts, were more abundant than in A. pulchra colonies growing near the reef crest (farshore). A. pulchra mucus microbiomes were more diverse during the wet season than the dry season, a distinction that was also associated with drastic shifts in microbiome composition. This study highlights the seasonal dynamics of coral microbiomes and demonstrates that microbiome diversity and composition may differ between coral tissues and the surface mucus layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese C. Miller
- Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
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Lima LFO, Alker AT, Morris MM, Edwards RA, de Putron SJ, Dinsdale EA. Pre-Bleaching Coral Microbiome Is Enriched in Beneficial Taxa and Functions. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1005. [PMID: 38792833 PMCID: PMC11123844 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Coral reef health is tightly connected to the coral holobiont, which is the association between the coral animal and a diverse microbiome functioning as a unit. The coral holobiont depends on key services such as nitrogen and sulfur cycling mediated by the associated bacteria. However, these microbial services may be impaired in response to environmental changes, such as thermal stress. A perturbed microbiome may lead to coral bleaching and disease outbreaks, which have caused an unprecedented loss in coral cover worldwide, particularly correlated to a warming ocean. The response mechanisms of the coral holobiont under high temperatures are not completely understood, but the associated microbial community is a potential source of acquired heat-tolerance. Here we investigate the effects of increased temperature on the taxonomic and functional profiles of coral surface mucous layer (SML) microbiomes in relationship to coral-algal physiology. We used shotgun metagenomics in an experimental setting to understand the dynamics of microbial taxa and genes in the SML microbiome of the coral Pseudodiploria strigosa under heat treatment. The metagenomes of corals exposed to heat showed high similarity at the level of bacterial genera and functional genes related to nitrogen and sulfur metabolism and stress response. The coral SML microbiome responded to heat with an increase in the relative abundance of taxa with probiotic potential, and functional genes for nitrogen and sulfur acquisition. Coral-algal physiology significantly explained the variation in the microbiome at taxonomic and functional levels. These consistent and specific microbial taxa and gene functions that significantly increased in proportional abundance in corals exposed to heat are potentially beneficial to coral health and thermal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís F. O. Lima
- Marine Biology, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
- San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Amanda T. Alker
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, SA 5045, USA;
| | - Megan M. Morris
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA;
| | - Robert A. Edwards
- Flinders Accelerator Microbiome Exploration, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
| | | | - Elizabeth A. Dinsdale
- Flinders Accelerator Microbiome Exploration, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
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Pogoreutz C, Ziegler M. Frenemies on the reef? Resolving the coral-Endozoicomonas association. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:422-434. [PMID: 38216372 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.11.006] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Stony corals are poster child holobionts due to their intimate association with diverse microorganisms from all domains of life. We are only beginning to understand the diverse functions of most of these microbial associates, including potential main contributors to holobiont health and resilience. Among these, bacteria of the elusive genus Endozoicomonas are widely perceived as beneficial symbionts based on their genomic potential and their high prevalence and ubiquitous presence in coral tissues. Simultaneously, evidence of pathogenic and parasitic Endozoicomonas lineages in other marine animals is emerging. Synthesizing the current knowledge on the association of Endozoicomonas with marine holobionts, we challenge the perception of a purely mutualistic coral-Endozoicomonas relationship and propose directions to elucidate its role along the symbiotic spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pogoreutz
- EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France.
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 (IFZ), 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Aires T, Cúcio C, Brakel J, Weinberger F, Wahl M, Teles A, Muyzer G, Engelen AH. Impact of persistently high sea surface temperatures on the rhizobiomes of Zostera marina in a Baltic Sea benthocosms. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17337. [PMID: 38771026 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Persistently high marine temperatures are escalating and threating marine biodiversity. The Baltic Sea, warming faster than other seas, is a good model to study the impact of increasing sea surface temperatures. Zostera marina, a key player in the Baltic ecosystem, faces susceptibility to disturbances, especially under chronic high temperatures. Despite the increasing number of studies on the impact of global warming on seagrasses, little attention has been paid to the role of the holobiont. Using an outdoor benthocosm to replicate near-natural conditions, this study explores the repercussions of persistent warming on the microbiome of Z. marina and its implications for holobiont function. Results show that both seasonal warming and chronic warming, impact Z. marina roots and sediment microbiome. Compared with roots, sediments demonstrate higher diversity and stability throughout the study, but temperature effects manifest earlier in both compartments, possibly linked to premature Z. marina die-offs under chronic warming. Shifts in microbial composition, such as an increase in organic matter-degrading and sulfur-related bacteria, accompany chronic warming. A higher ratio of sulfate-reducing bacteria compared to sulfide oxidizers was found in the warming treatment which may result in the collapse of the seagrasses, due to toxic levels of sulfide. Differentiating predicted pathways for warmest temperatures were related to sulfur and nitrogen cycles, suggest an increase of the microbial metabolism, and possible seagrass protection strategies through the production of isoprene. These structural and compositional variations in the associated microbiome offer early insights into the ecological status of seagrasses. Certain taxa/genes/pathways may serve as markers for specific stresses. Monitoring programs should integrate this aspect to identify early indicators of seagrass health. Understanding microbiome changes under stress is crucial for the use of potential probiotic taxa to mitigate climate change effects. Broader-scale examination of seagrass-microorganism interactions is needed to leverage knowledge on host-microbe interactions in seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Aires
- Centro de Ciências Do Mar (CCMAR), Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR), Universidade Do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Catarina Cúcio
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janina Brakel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Martin Wahl
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ana Teles
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Ploen, Germany
| | - Gerard Muyzer
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aschwin H Engelen
- Centro de Ciências Do Mar (CCMAR), Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR), Universidade Do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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Hill LJ, Messias CSMDA, Vilela CLS, Garritano AN, Villela HDM, do Carmo FL, Thomas T, Peixoto RS. Bacteria associated with the in hospite Symbiodiniaceae's phycosphere. iScience 2024; 27:109531. [PMID: 38585661 PMCID: PMC10995889 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria are still poorly explored, especially those in hospite. Here, we adapted a technique that allows for the enrichment of intact and metabolically active in hospite Symbiodiniaceae cells (ihSC) and their associated bacteria from the tissue of the model coral Pocillopora damicornis, using a discontinuous gradient of solution of isotonic Percoll (SIP). The ihSC were concentrated in the 50% SIP fraction, as determined by microscopy. The presence of bacteria associated with ihSC was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, while microbiome analysis indicated that bacteria of the families Halieaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Alcanivoraceae are significantly associated with ihSC. Extracellular vesicles that could be exuding molecules were detected on the symbiosome membranes. Our technique and data contribute to elucidate ihSC-bacteria interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Jorge Hill
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | | | - Caren Leite Spindola Vilela
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Alessandro N Garritano
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Helena Dias Muller Villela
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Flavia Lima do Carmo
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Raquel S. Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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11
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Xu M, Cai Z, Cheng K, Chen G, Zhou J. Mitigation of Vibrio coralliilyticus-induced coral bleaching through bacterial dysbiosis prevention by Ruegeria profundi. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0227423. [PMID: 38470181 PMCID: PMC11022554 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02274-23] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Vibrio species are prevalent in ocean ecosystems, particularly Vibrio coralliilyticus, and pose a threat to corals and other marine organisms under global warming conditions. While microbiota manipulation is considered for coral disease management, understanding the role of commensal bacteria in stress resilience remains limited. Here, a single bacterial species (Ruegeria profundi) rather than a consortium of native was used to combat pathogenic V. coralliilyticus and protect corals from bleaching. R. profundi showed therapeutic activity in vivo, preventing a significant reduction in bacterial diversity in bleached corals. Notably, the structure of the bacterial community differed significantly among all the groups. In addition, compared with the bleached corals caused by V. coralliilyticus, the network analysis revealed that complex interactions and positive correlations in the bacterial community of the R. profundi protected non-bleached corals, indicating R. profundi's role in fostering synergistic associations. Many genera of bacteria significantly increased in abundance during V. coralliilyticus infection, including Vibrio, Alteromonas, Amphritea, and Nautella, contributing to the pathogenicity of the bacterial community. However, R. profundi effectively countered the proliferation of these genera, promoting potential probiotic Endozoicomonas and other taxa, while reducing the abundance of betaine lipids and the type VI section system of the bacterial community. These changes ultimately influenced the interactive relationships among symbionts and demonstrated that probiotic R. profundi intervention can modulate coral-associated bacterial community, alleviate pathogenic-induced dysbiosis, and preserve coral health. These findings elucidated the relationship between the behavior of the coral-associated bacterial community and the occurrence of pathological coral bleaching.IMPORTANCEChanges in the global climate and marine environment can influence coral host and pathogen repartition which refers to an increased likelihood of pathogen infection in hosts. The risk of Vibrio coralliilyticus-induced coral disease is significantly heightened, primarily due to its thermos-dependent expression of virulent and populations. This study investigates how coral-associated bacterial communities respond to bleaching induced by V. coralliilyticus. Our findings demonstrate that Ruegeria profundi exhibits clear evidence of defense against pathogenic bacterial infection, contributing to the maintenance of host health and symbiont homeostasis. This observation suggests that bacterial pathogens could cause dysbiosis in coral holobionts. Probiotic bacteria display an essential capability in restructuring and manipulating coral-associated bacterial communities. This restructuring effectively reduces bacterial community virulence and enhances the pathogenic resistance of holobionts. The study provides valuable insights into the correlation between the health status of corals and how coral-associated bacterial communities may respond to both pathogens and probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiting Xu
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keke Cheng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guofu Chen
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Chen B, Wei Y, Yu K, Liang Y, Yu X, Liao Z, Qin Z, Xu L, Bao Z. The microbiome dynamics and interaction of endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae and fungi are associated with thermal bleaching susceptibility of coral holobionts. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0193923. [PMID: 38445866 PMCID: PMC11022545 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01939-23] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The thermal bleaching percentage of coral holobionts shows interspecific differences under heat-stress conditions, which are closely related to the coral-associated microbiome. However, the ecological effects of community dynamics and interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi on coral thermal bleaching susceptibility remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the diversity, community structure, functions, and potential interaction of Symbiodiniaceae and fungi among 18 coral species from a high thermal bleaching risk atoll using next-generation sequencing. The results showed that heat-tolerant C3u sub-clade and Durusdinium dominated the Symbiodiniaceae community of corals and that there were no core amplicon sequence variants in the coral-associated fungal community. Fungal richness and the abundance of confirmed functional animal-plant pathogens were significantly positively correlated with the coral thermal bleaching percentage. Fungal indicators, including Didymellaceae, Chaetomiaceae, Schizophyllum, and Colletotrichum, were identified in corals. Each coral species had a complex Symbiodiniaceae-fungi interaction network (SFIN), which was driven by the dominant Symbiodiniaceae sub-clades. The SFINs of coral holobionts with low thermal bleaching susceptibility exhibited low complexity and high betweenness centrality. These results indicate that the extra heat tolerance of coral in Huangyan Island may be linked to the high abundance of heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae. Fungal communities have high interspecific flexibility, and the increase of fungal diversity and pathogen abundance was correlated with higher thermal bleaching susceptibility of corals. Moreover, fungal indicators were associated with the degrees of coral thermal bleaching susceptibility, including both high and intermediate levels. The topological properties of SFINs suggest that heat-tolerant coral have limited fungal parasitism and strong microbial network resilience.IMPORTANCEGlobal warming and enhanced marine heatwaves have led to a rapid decline in coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Several studies have focused on the impact of coral-associated microbiomes on thermal bleaching susceptibility in corals; however, the ecological functions and interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi remain unclear. We investigated the microbiome dynamics and potential interactions of Symbiodiniaceae and fungi among 18 coral species in Huangyan Island. Our study found that the Symbiodiniaceae community of corals was mainly composed of heat-tolerant C3u sub-clade and Durusdinium. The increase in fungal diversity and pathogen abundance has close associations with higher coral thermal bleaching susceptibility. We first constructed an interaction network between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi in corals, which indicated that restricting fungal parasitism and strong interaction network resilience would promote heat acclimatization of corals. Accordingly, this study provides insights into the role of microorganisms and their interaction as drivers of interspecific differences in coral thermal bleaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Chen
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuxin Wei
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanting Liang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaopeng Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiheng Liao
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Resource Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhenjun Qin
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lijia Xu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeming Bao
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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13
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Delgadillo-Ordoñez N, Garcias-Bonet N, Raimundo I, García FC, Villela H, Osman EO, Santoro EP, Curdia J, Rosado JGD, Cardoso P, Alsaggaf A, Barno A, Antony CP, Bocanegra C, Berumen ML, Voolstra CR, Benzoni F, Carvalho S, Peixoto RS. Probiotics reshape the coral microbiome in situ without detectable off-target effects in the surrounding environment. Commun Biol 2024; 7:434. [PMID: 38594357 PMCID: PMC11004148 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06135-3] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs), or probiotics, can enhance coral resilience against stressors in laboratory trials. However, the ability of probiotics to restructure the coral microbiome in situ is yet to be determined. As a first step to elucidate this, we inoculated putative probiotic bacteria (pBMCs) on healthy colonies of Pocillopora verrucosa in situ in the Red Sea, three times per week, during 3 months. pBMCs significantly influenced the coral microbiome, while bacteria of the surrounding seawater and sediment remained unchanged. The inoculated genera Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and Bacillus were significantly enriched in probiotic-treated corals. Furthermore, the probiotic treatment also correlated with an increase in other beneficial groups (e.g., Ruegeria and Limosilactobacillus), and a decrease in potential coral pathogens, such as Vibrio. As all corals (treated and non-treated) remained healthy throughout the experiment, we could not track health improvements or protection against stress. Our data indicate that healthy, and therefore stable, coral microbiomes can be restructured in situ, although repeated and continuous inoculations may be required in these cases. Further, our study provides supporting evidence that, at the studied scale, pBMCs have no detectable off-target effects on the surrounding microbiomes of seawater and sediment near inoculated corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Delgadillo-Ordoñez
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neus Garcias-Bonet
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Inês Raimundo
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Francisca C García
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helena Villela
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eslam O Osman
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Erika P Santoro
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joao Curdia
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joao G D Rosado
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alsaggaf
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adam Barno
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chakkiath Paul Antony
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carolina Bocanegra
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Francesca Benzoni
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Susana Carvalho
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raquel S Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
- Marine Science and Bioscience Programs, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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14
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Wesseltoft JB, Danielsen CD, Andersen AM, de Jonge N, Olsen A, Rohde PD, Kristensen TN. Feeding Drosophila gut microbiomes from young and old flies modifies the microbiome. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7799. [PMID: 38565609 PMCID: PMC10987527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58500-1] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly evident that the myriad of microbes in the gut, within cells and attached to body parts (or roots of plants), play crucial roles for the host. Although this has been known for decades, recent developments in molecular biology allow for expanded insight into the abundance and function of these microbes. Here we used the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate fitness measures across the lifetime of flies fed a suspension of gut microbes harvested from young or old flies, respectively. Our hypothesis was that flies constitutively enriched with a 'Young microbiome' would live longer and be more agile at old age (i.e. have increased healthspan) compared to flies enriched with an 'Old microbiome'. Three major take home messages came out of our study: (1) the gut microbiomes of young and old flies differ markedly; (2) feeding flies with Young and Old microbiomes altered the microbiome of recipient flies and (3) the two different microbial diets did not have any effect on locomotor activity nor lifespan of the recipient flies, contradicting our working hypothesis. Combined, these results provide novel insight into the interplay between hosts and their microbiomes and clearly highlight that the phenotypic effects of gut transplants and probiotics can be complex and unpredictable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nadieh de Jonge
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anders Olsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Palle Duun Rohde
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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15
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Grupstra CGB, Gómez-Corrales M, Fifer JE, Aichelman HE, Meyer-Kaiser KS, Prada C, Davies SW. Integrating cryptic diversity into coral evolution, symbiosis and conservation. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:622-636. [PMID: 38351091 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how diversity evolves and is maintained is critical to predicting the future trajectories of ecosystems under climate change; however, our understanding of these processes is limited in marine systems. Corals, which engineer reef ecosystems, are critically threatened by climate change, and global efforts are underway to conserve and restore populations as attempts to mitigate ocean warming continue. Recently, sequencing efforts have uncovered widespread undescribed coral diversity, including 'cryptic lineages'-genetically distinct but morphologically similar coral taxa. Such cryptic lineages have been identified in at least 24 coral genera spanning the anthozoan phylogeny and across ocean basins. These cryptic lineages co-occur in many reef systems, but their distributions often differ among habitats. Research suggests that cryptic lineages are ecologically specialized and several examples demonstrate differences in thermal tolerance, highlighting the critical implications of this diversity for predicting coral responses to future warming. Here, we draw attention to recent discoveries, discuss how cryptic diversity affects the study of coral adaptation and acclimation to future environments, explore how it shapes symbiotic partnerships, and highlight challenges and opportunities for conservation and restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James E Fifer
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Carlos Prada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Huang W, Meng L, Xiao Z, Tan R, Yang E, Wang Y, Huang X, Yu K. Heat-tolerant intertidal rock pool coral Porites lutea can potentially adapt to future warming. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17273. [PMID: 38265168 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17273] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The growing threat of global warming on coral reefs underscores the urgency of identifying heat-tolerant corals and discovering their adaptation mechanisms to high temperatures. Corals growing in intertidal rock pools that vary markedly in daily temperature may have improved heat tolerance. In this study, heat stress experiments were performed on scleractinian coral Porites lutea from subtidal habitat and intertidal rock pool of Weizhou Island in the northern South China Sea. Thermotolerance differences in corals from the two habitats and their mechanisms were explored through phenotype, physiological indicators, ITS2, 16S rRNA, and RNA sequencing. At the extremely high temperature of 34°C, rock pool P. lutea had a stronger heat tolerance than those in the subtidal habitat. The strong antioxidant capacity of the coral host and its microbial partners was important in the resistance of rock pool corals to high temperatures. The host of rock pool corals at 34°C had stronger immune and apoptotic regulation, downregulated host metabolism and disease-infection-related pathways compared to the subtidal habitat. P. lutea, in this habitat, upregulated Cladocopium C15 (Symbiodiniaceae) photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotection, and significantly increased bacterial diversity and coral probiotics, including ABY1, Ruegeria, and Alteromonas. These findings indicate that rock pool corals can tolerate high temperatures through the integrated response of coral holobionts. These corals may be 'touchstones' for future warming. Our research provides new insights into the complex mechanisms by which corals resist global warming and the theoretical basis for coral reef ecosystem restoration and selection of stress-resistant coral populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Huang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Linqing Meng
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zunyong Xiao
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Ronghua Tan
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Enguang Yang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xueyong Huang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Han T, Liao X, Guo Z, Chen JY, He C, Lu Z. Deciphering temporal gene expression dynamics in multiple coral species exposed to heat stress: Implications for predicting resilience. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169021. [PMID: 38061659 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented threats due to global climate change, particularly elevated sea surface temperatures causing coral bleaching. Understanding coral responses at the molecular level is crucial for predicting their resilience and developing effective conservation strategies. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive gene expression analysis of four coral species to investigate their long-term molecular response to heat stress. We identified distinct gene expression patterns among the coral species, with laminar corals exhibiting a stronger response compared to branching corals. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) showed an overall decreasing expression trend, indicating the high energy cost associated with sustaining elevated HSP levels during prolonged heat stress. Peroxidases and oxidoreductases involved in oxidative stress response demonstrated significant upregulation, highlighting their role in maintaining cellular redox balance. Differential expression of genes related to calcium homeostasis and bioluminescence suggested distinct mechanisms for coping with heat stress among the coral species. Furthermore, the impact of heat stress on coral biomineralization varied, with downregulation of carbonic anhydrase and skeletal organic matrix proteins indicating reduced capacity for biomineralization in the later stages of heat stress. Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying coral responses to heat stress and highlight the importance of considering species-specific responses in assessing coral resilience. The identified biomarkers may serve as indicators of heat stress and contribute to early detection of coral bleaching events. These findings contribute to our understanding of coral resilience and provide a basis for future research aimed at enhancing coral survival in the face of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xin Liao
- Guangxi Key Lab of Mangrove Conservation and Utilization, Guangxi Mangrove Research Center, Beihai 536000, China
| | - Zhuojun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - J-Y Chen
- Nanjing Institute of Paleontology and Geology, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chunpeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Zuhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
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18
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Wei Y, Chen B, Yu K, Liao Z, Yu X, Qin Z, Bao Z, Xu L, Wang Y. Evolutionary radiation and microbial community dynamics shape the thermal tolerance of Fungiidae in the southern South China Sea. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0243623. [PMID: 38174936 PMCID: PMC10845974 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02436-23] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungiidae have shown increased thermal adaptability in coral reef ecosystems under global warming. This study analyzes the evolutionary divergence and microbial communities of Fungiidae in the Sanjiao Reef of the southern South China Sea and explores the impact of coral evolution radiation and microbial dynamics on the heat tolerance of Fungiidae. The results found that Cycloseris was an ancient branch of Fungiidae, dating back approximately 147.8953 Mya, and Fungiidae differentiated into two ancestral clades (clades I and II) before 107.0312 Ma. Fungiidae exhibited specific symbioses with the Cladocopium C27 sub-clade. Notably, the Cladocopium C1 sub-clade has a high relative abundance in clade I, whereas the heat-tolerant Cladocopium C40 and C3u sub-clades subdominante in clade II. Regarding bacterial communities, Cycloseris costulata, the earliest divergent species, had higher bacterial β-diversity, while the latest divergent species, Lithophyllon scabra, displayed lower bacterial α-diversity and higher community stability. Beneficial bacteria dominante Fungiidae's bacterial community (54%). The co-occurrence network revealed that microbial networks in clade II exhibited lower complexity and greater resilience than those in clade I. Our study highlights that host evolutionary radiation and microbial communities shaped Fungiidae's thermal tolerance. The variability in subdominant Symbiodiniaceae populations may contribute to interspecific differences in thermal tolerance along the evolutionary branches of Fungiidae. The presence of abundant beneficial bacteria may further enhance the thermal ability of the Fungiidae. Furthermore, the later divergent species of Fungiidae have stronger heat tolerance, possibly driven by the increased regulation ability of the host on the bacterial community, greater microbial community stability, and interaction network resistance.IMPORTANCECoral reefs are facing significant threats due to global warming. The heat tolerance of coral holobionts depends on both the coral host and its microbiome. However, the association between coral evolutionary radiation and interspecific differences in microbial communities remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of evolutionary radiation and microbial community dynamics in shaping the thermal acclimation potential of Fungiidae in the Sanjiao Reef of the southern South China Sea. The study's results suggest that evolutionary radiation enhances the thermal tolerance of Fungiidae. Fungiidae species that have diverged more recently have exhibited a higher presence of heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae taxa, more stable bacterial communities, and a robust and resilient microbial interaction network, improving the thermal adaptability of Fungiidae. In summary, this study provides new insights into the thermal adaptation patterns of corals under global warming conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wei
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiheng Liao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Resource Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaopeng Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhenjun Qin
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zeming Bao
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lijia Xu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongzhi Wang
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Zou Y, Ip JCH, Xie JY, Yeung YH, Wei L, Guo Z, Zhang Y, Qiu JW. Dynamic changes in bacterial communities in three species of corals during the 2017 bleaching event in subtropical Hong Kong waters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:116002. [PMID: 38181470 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.116002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria play important roles in coral health, yet little is known about the dynamics of coral-associated bacterial communities during coral bleaching. Here, we reported the dynamic changes of bacterial communities in three scleractinian corals (Montipora peltiformis, Pavona decussata and Platygyra carnosa) during and after bleaching through amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed that the bacterial composition and dominant bacteria varied among the three coral species. The higher susceptibility of M. peltiformis to bleaching corresponded to a lower bacterial community diversity, and the dominant Synechococcus shifted in abundance during the bleaching and coral recovery phases. The resilient P. decussata and P. carnosa had higher bacterial diversity and a more similar bacterial composition between the healthy and bleached conditions. Overall, our study reveals the dynamic changes in coral-associated microbial diversity under different conditions, contributing to explaining the differential susceptibility of corals to extreme climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zou
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | | | - James Y Xie
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yip Hung Yeung
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lu Wei
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Guo
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
| | - Jian-Wen Qiu
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
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20
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Strudwick P, Camp EF, Seymour J, Roper C, Edmondson J, Howlett L, Suggett DJ. Impacts of plastic-free materials on coral-associated bacterial communities during reef restoration. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13229. [PMID: 38192237 PMCID: PMC10866064 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Coral propagation and out-planting based restoration approaches are increasingly being applied to assist natural recovery of coral reefs. However, many restoration methods rely on plastic zip-ties to secure coral material which is potentially problematic for the marine environment. Plastic-free biodegradable alternatives may however pose unique risks to coral-associated bacterial communities integral to coral health. Therefore, to identify whether biodegradable materials differentially impact coral-associated bacterial communities we examined Acropora millepora coral-associated bacterial communities during propagation in two experiments on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral fragments were secured to coral nurseries with conventional plastic, metal, or biodegradable (polyester and polycaprolactone) ties. Tie failure and coral-associated bacterial communities were then characterized over six months. Minimal coral mortality was observed (3.6%-8%) and all ties had low failure rates (0%-4.2%) except for biodegradable polyester ties (29.2% failure). No differences were observed between coral-associated bacterial communities of fragments secured with different ties, and no proliferation of putatively pathogenic bacteria was recorded. Overall, our findings suggest that reducing reliance on conventional plastic is feasible through transitions to biodegradable materials, without any notable impacts on coral-associated bacterial communities. However, we caution the need to examine more coral taxa of different morphologies and new plastic-free materials prior to application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Strudwick
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change ClusterUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Emma F. Camp
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change ClusterUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Justin Seymour
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change ClusterUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Christine Roper
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change ClusterUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Lorna Howlett
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change ClusterUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - David J. Suggett
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalKingdom of Saudi Arabia
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21
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Klepac CN, Petrik CG, Karabelas E, Owens J, Hall ER, Muller EM. Assessing acute thermal assays as a rapid screening tool for coral restoration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1898. [PMID: 38253660 PMCID: PMC10803358 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51944-5] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Escalating environmental threats to coral reefs coincides with global advancements in coral restoration programs. To improve long-term efficacy, practitioners must consider incorporating genotypes resilient to ocean warming and disease while maintaining genetic diversity. Identifying such genotypes typically occurs under long-term exposures that mimic natural stressors, but these experiments can be time-consuming, costly, and introduce tank effects, hindering scalability for hundreds of nursery genotypes used for outplanting. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the acute Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) against long-term exposures on the bleaching response of Acropora cervicornis, the dominant restoration species in Florida's Coral Reef. Comparing bleaching metrics, Fv/Fm, chlorophyll, and host protein, we observed similar responses between the long-term heat and the CBASS treatment of 34.3 °C, which was also the calculated bleaching threshold. This suggests the potential of CBASS as a rapid screening tool, with 90% of restoration genotypes exhibiting similar bleaching tolerances. However, variations in acute bleaching phenotypes arose from measurement timing and experiment heat accumulation, cautioning against generalizations solely based on metrics like Fv/Fm. These findings identify the need to better refine the tools necessary to quickly and effectively screen coral restoration genotypes and determine their relative tolerance for restoration interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Klepac
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA.
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.
| | - C G Petrik
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
- National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - E Karabelas
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - J Owens
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
- Tufts University, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - E R Hall
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - E M Muller
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA
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22
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Chan YF, Chen YH, Yu SP, Chen HJ, Nozawa Y, Tang SL. Reciprocal transplant experiment reveals multiple factors influencing changes in coral microbial communities across climate zones. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167929. [PMID: 37863230 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the influence of external factors (environmental factors and the coral host factors) on the community structure of coral-associated bacteria. However, the internal factors, e.g. the interaction within the bacterial community or bacteria itself, have often been overlooked in studies of the coral microbiome. Hence, we performed a reciprocal transplant of corals between two different climate zones to examine the resultant alterations in coral-associated bacterial communities. The findings highlight the significance of environmental factors, host selection, and highly resilient bacteria in shaping the coral microbial composition. The results support that coral species consistently harbor specific predominant bacterial groups influenced by host selection, while locations display unique bacterial taxa due to environmental variations. The transplantation of corals into new environments leads to a gradual shift in the bacterial community, from initially resembling that of the native location to eventually resembling that of the transplanted location, emphasizing the crucial role of bacterial community composition for coral survival under changing ambient conditions. Furthermore, highly resilient bacteria that persisted throughout the reciprocal transplant experiment demonstrated their adaptability to environmental and host changes, suggesting the presence of robust adaptation or resistance mechanisms in bacterial communities. Genetic adaptations within the prevalent bacterial group, Endozoicomonas, were also observed, suggesting variations in resilience and adaptation capabilities among different phylotypes. This study highlights the need to conduct further investigations into the coral-associated bacteria themselves, as they may hold some key insights into understanding the dynamics of coral-associated microbial communities. These data also highlight some key species of coral-associated bacteria which could benefit coral in response to alterations in ambient environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Fan Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei 111, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiang Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Ping Yu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Ju Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yoko Nozawa
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Lin Tang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Taiwan's Ocean Genome Center, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
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23
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Staab S, Cardénas A, Peixoto RS, Schreiber F, Voolstra CR. Coracle-a machine learning framework to identify bacteria associated with continuous variables. Bioinformatics 2024; 40:btad749. [PMID: 38123508 PMCID: PMC10766586 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY We present Coracle, an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that can identify associations between bacterial communities and continuous variables. Coracle uses an ensemble approach of prominent feature selection methods and machine learning (ML) models to identify features, i.e. bacteria, associated with a continuous variable, e.g. host thermal tolerance. The results are aggregated into a score that incorporates the performances of the different ML models and the respective feature importance, while also considering the robustness of feature selection. Additionally, regression coefficients provide first insights into the direction of the association. We show the utility of Coracle by analyzing associations between bacterial composition data (i.e. 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequence Variants, ASVs) and coral thermal tolerance (i.e. standardized short-term heat stress-derived diagnostics). This analysis identified high-scoring bacterial taxa that were previously found associated with coral thermal tolerance. Coracle scales with feature number and performs well with hundreds to thousands of features, corresponding to the typical size of current datasets. Coracle performs best if run at a higher taxonomic level first (e.g. order or family) to identify groups of interest that can subsequently be run at the ASV level. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Coracle can be accessed via a dedicated web server that allows free and simple access: http://www.micportal.org/coracle/index. The underlying code is open-source and available via GitHub https://github.com/SebastianStaab/coracle.git.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Staab
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78457, Germany
| | - Anny Cardénas
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78457, Germany
- Department of Biology, American University, Washington, DC, 20016, USA
| | - Raquel S Peixoto
- Computational Biology Research Center (CBRC) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78457, Germany
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, 3168, Australia
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24
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Dallas JW, Kazarina A, Lee STM, Warne RW. Cross-species gut microbiota transplantation predictably affects host heat tolerance. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246735. [PMID: 38073469 PMCID: PMC10906491 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246735] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is known to influence and have regulatory effects in diverse physiological functions of host animals, but only recently has the relationship between host thermal biology and gut microbiota been explored. Here, we examined how early-life manipulations of the gut microbiota in larval amphibians influenced their critical thermal maximum (CTmax) at different acclimation temperatures. We stripped the resident microbiome from egg masses of wild-caught wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) via an antibiotic wash, and then inoculated the eggs with pond water (control), no inoculation, or the intestinal microbiota of another species that has a wider thermal tolerance - green frogs (Lithobates clamitans). We predicted that this cross-species transplant would increase the CTmax of the recipient wood frog larvae relative to the other treatments. In line with this prediction, green frog microbiome-recipient larvae had the highest CTmax while those with no inoculum had the lowest CTmax. Both the microbiome treatment and acclimation temperature significantly influenced the larval gut microbiota communities and α-diversity indices. Green frog microbiome-inoculated larvae were enriched in Rikenellaceae relative to the other treatments, which produce short-chain fatty acids and could contribute to greater energy availability and enhanced heat tolerance. Larvae that received no inoculation had a higher relative abundance of potentially pathogenic Aeromonas spp., which negatively affects host health and performance. Our results are the first to show that cross-species gut microbiota transplants alter heat tolerance in a predictable manner. This finding has repercussions for the conservation of species that are threatened by climate change and demonstrates a need to further explore the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota modulate host thermal tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W. Dallas
- Southern Illinois University,School of Biological Sciences, 1125 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale, IL 62901-6501, USA
| | - Anna Kazarina
- Kansas State University, Division of Biology, 1717 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Sonny T. M. Lee
- Kansas State University, Division of Biology, 1717 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Robin W. Warne
- Southern Illinois University,School of Biological Sciences, 1125 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale, IL 62901-6501, USA
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25
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Vompe AD, Epstein HE, Speare KE, Schmeltzer ER, Adam TC, Burkepile DE, Sharpton TJ, Vega Thurber R. Microbiome ecological memory and responses to repeated marine heatwaves clarify variation in coral bleaching and mortality. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17088. [PMID: 38273492 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Microbiomes are essential features of holobionts, providing their hosts with key metabolic and functional traits like resistance to environmental disturbances and diseases. In scleractinian corals, questions remain about the microbiome's role in resistance and resilience to factors contributing to the ongoing global coral decline and whether microbes serve as a form of holobiont ecological memory. To test if and how coral microbiomes affect host health outcomes during repeated disturbances, we conducted a large-scale (32 exclosures, 200 colonies, and 3 coral species sampled) and long-term (28 months, 2018-2020) manipulative experiment on the forereef of Mo'orea, French Polynesia. In 2019 and 2020, this reef experienced the two most severe marine heatwaves on record for the site. Our experiment and these events afforded us the opportunity to test microbiome dynamics and roles in the context of coral bleaching and mortality resulting from these successive and severe heatwaves. We report unique microbiome responses to repeated heatwaves in Acropora retusa, Porites lobata, and Pocillopora spp., which included: microbiome acclimatization in A. retusa, and both microbiome resilience to the first marine heatwave and microbiome resistance to the second marine heatwave in Pocillopora spp. Moreover, observed microbiome dynamics significantly correlated with coral species-specific phenotypes. For example, bleaching and mortality in A. retusa both significantly increased with greater microbiome beta dispersion and greater Shannon Diversity, while P. lobata colonies had different microbiomes across mortality prevalence. Compositional microbiome changes, such as changes to proportions of differentially abundant putatively beneficial to putatively detrimental taxa to coral health outcomes during repeated heat stress, also correlated with host mortality, with higher proportions of detrimental taxa yielding higher mortality in A. retusa. This study reveals evidence for coral species-specific microbial responses to repeated heatwaves and, importantly, suggests that host-dependent microbiome dynamics may provide a form of holobiont ecological memory to repeated heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex D Vompe
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Hannah E Epstein
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, UK
| | - Kelly E Speare
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily R Schmeltzer
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Thomas C Adam
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Deron E Burkepile
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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26
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Chuang PS, Yu SP, Liu PY, Hsu MT, Chiou YJ, Lu CY, Tang SL. A gauge of coral physiology: re-examining temporal changes in Endozoicomonas abundance correlated with natural coral bleaching. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae001. [PMID: 38371393 PMCID: PMC10872716 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria contribute to many physiological functions of coral holobionts, including responses to bleaching. The bacterial genus, Endozoicomonas, dominates the microbial flora of many coral species and its abundance appears to be correlated with coral bleaching. However, evidences for decoupling of bleaching and Endozoicomonas abundance changes have also been reported. In 2020, a severe bleaching event was recorded at reefs in Taiwan, providing a unique opportunity to re-examine bleaching-Endozoicomonas association using multiple stony corals in natural environments. In this study, we monitored tissue color and microbiome changes in three coral species (Montipora sp., Porites sp., and Stylophora pistillata) in Kenting National Park, following the bleaching event. All tagged Montipora sp. and Porites sp. recovered from bleaching within 1 year, while high mortality occurred in S. pistillata. Microbiome analysis found no correlation of Endozoicomonas relative abundance and bleaching severity during the sampling period, but found a stronger correlation when the month in which bleaching occurred was excluded. Moreover, Endozoicomonas abundance increased during recovery months in Montipora sp. and Porites sp., whereas in S. pistillata it was nearly depleted. These results suggest that Endozoicomonas abundance may represent a gauge of coral health and reflect recovery of some corals from stress. Interestingly, even though different Endozoicomonas strains predominated in the three corals, these Endozoicomonas strains were also shared among coral taxa. Meanwhile, several Endozoicomonas strains showed secondary emergence during coral recovery, suggesting possible symbiont switching in Endozoicomonas. These findings indicate that it may be possible to introduce Endozoicomonas to non-native coral hosts as a coral probiotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Shun Chuang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Ping Yu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yu Liu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsung Hsu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jing Chiou
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Chih-Ying Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Lin Tang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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27
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Longley R, Benucci GMN, Pochon X, Bonito G, Bonito V. Species-specific coral microbiome assemblages support host bleaching resistance during an extreme marine heatwave. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167803. [PMID: 37838063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Scleractinian assemblages are threatened by marine heat waves with coral survivorship depending on host genetics and microbiome composition. We documented an extreme marine heat wave in Fiji and the response of corals in two thermally stressed reef flats. Through high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S and ITS rDNA phylogenetic markers, we assessed coral microbiomes (Symbiodiniaceae, prokaryotes, fungi, and Apicomplexa) of paired bleached and unbleached colonies of four common coral species representative of dominant genera in the South Pacific. While all coral species exhibited one or more pathways to bleaching resistance, harboring assemblages composed primarily of thermally tolerant photosymbionts did not always result in host bleaching resistance. Montipora and Pocillopora species, which associate with diverse Symbiodiniaceae and vertically transmit their photosymbionts, fared better than Acropora, which acquire their photosymbionts from the environment, and Porites, which associate with a narrow photosymbiont assemblage. Prokaryotic and fungal beta diversity did not differ between bleached and unbleached conspecifics, however, the relative abundance of the fungus Malassezia globosa was significantly greater in unbleached colonies of Montipora digitata. Each coral species harbored distinct assemblages of Symbiodiniaceae, prokaryotes, and Apicomplexa, but not fungi, reiterating the importance of host genetics in structuring components of its microbiome. Terrestrial fungal and prokaryotic taxa were detected at low abundance across coral microbiomes, indicating that allochthonous microbial inputs occur, but that coral microbiomes remain dominated by marine microbial taxa. Our study offers valuable insights into the microbiome assemblages associated with coral tolerance to extreme water temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid Longley
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, MI, USA
| | | | - Xavier Pochon
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Bonito
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, MI, USA; Plant, Soil and Microbial Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, MI, USA; Coral Coast Conservation Center, Votua Village, Fiji.
| | - Victor Bonito
- Coral Coast Conservation Center, Votua Village, Fiji; Reef Explorer Fiji, Votua Village, Fiji
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28
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Cheng K, Li X, Tong M, Jong MC, Cai Z, Zheng H, Xiao B, Zhou J. Integrated metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses reveal bacterial micro-ecological mechanisms in coral bleaching. mSystems 2023; 8:e0050523. [PMID: 37882797 PMCID: PMC10734480 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00505-23] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Coral reefs worldwide are facing rapid decline due to coral bleaching. However, knowledge of the physiological characteristics and molecular mechanisms of coral symbionts respond to stress is scarce. Here, metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches were utilized to shed light on the changes in the composition and functions of coral symbiotic bacteria during coral bleaching. The results demonstrated that coral bleaching significantly affected the composition of symbionts, with bacterial communities dominating in bleached corals. Through differential analyses of gene and protein expression, it becomes evident that symbionts experience functional disturbances in response to heat stress. These disturbances result in abnormal energy metabolism, which could potentially compromise the health and resilience of the symbionts. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the highly diverse microbial communities of coral symbionts, with beneficial bacteria providing critical services to corals in stress responses and pathogenic bacteria driving coral bleaching. This study provides comprehensive insights into the complex response mechanisms of coral symbionts under heat stress from the micro-ecological perspective and offers fundamental data for future monitoring of coral health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Cheng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengmeng Tong
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mui-Choo Jong
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huina Zheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Baohua Xiao
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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29
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Montaño-Salazar S, Quintanilla E, Sánchez JA. Microbial shifts associated to ENSO-derived thermal anomalies reveal coral acclimation at holobiont level. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22049. [PMID: 38087002 PMCID: PMC10716379 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coral microbiome conforms a proxy to study effects of changing environmental conditions. However, scarce information exists regarding microbiome dynamics and host acclimation in response to environmental changes associated to global-scale disturbances. We assessed El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-derived thermal anomalies shifts in the bacterial microbiome of Pacifigorgia cairnsi (Gorgoniidae: Octocorallia) from the remote island of Malpelo in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Malpelo is a hot spot of biodiversity and lacks direct coastal anthropogenic impacts. We evaluated the community composition and predicted functional profiles of the microbiome during 2015, 2017 and 2018, including different phases of ENSO cycle. The bacterial community diversity and composition between the warming and cooling phase were similar, but differed from the neutral phase. Relative abundances of different microbiome core members such as Endozoicomonas and Mycoplasma mainly drove these differences. An acclimated coral holobiont is suggested not just to warm but also to cold stress by embracing similar microbiome shifts and functional redundancy that allow maintaining coral's viability under thermal stress. Responses of the microbiome of unperturbed sea fans such as P. cairnsi in Malpelo could be acting as an extended phenotype facilitating the acclimation at the holobiont level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Montaño-Salazar
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department for Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena Quintanilla
- Department of Soil and Water Sciences, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Juan A Sánchez
- Laboratory of Marine Molecular Biology (BIOMMAR), Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Chen B, Yu K, Fu L, Wei Y, Liang J, Liao Z, Qin Z, Yu X, Deng C, Han M, Ma H. The diversity, community dynamics, and interactions of the microbiome in the world's deepest blue hole: insights into extreme environmental response patterns and tolerance of marine microorganisms. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0053123. [PMID: 37861344 PMCID: PMC10883803 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00531-23] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study comprehensively examined the community dynamics, functional profiles, and interactions of the microbiome in the world's deepest blue hole. The findings revealed a positive correlation between the α-diversities of Symbiodiniaceae and archaea, indicating the potential reliance of Symbiodiniaceae on archaea in an extreme environment resulting from a partial niche overlap. The negative association between the α-diversity and β-diversity of the bacterial community suggested that the change rule of the bacterial community was consistent with the Anna Karenina effects. The core microbiome comprised nine microbial taxa, highlighting their remarkable tolerance and adaptability to sharp environmental gradient variations. Bacteria and archaea played significant roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles, while fungi contributed to carbon metabolism. This study advanced our understanding of the community dynamics, response patterns, and resilience of microorganisms populating the world's deepest blue hole, thereby facilitating further ecological and evolutional exploration of microbiomes in diverse extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Chen
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) , Zhuhai, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) , Zhuhai, China
| | - Liang Fu
- Sansha Track Ocean Coral Reef Conservation Research Institute Co. Ltd. , Qionghai, China
| | - Yuxin Wei
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Jiayuan Liang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Zhiheng Liao
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Resource Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University , Nanning, China
| | - Zhenjun Qin
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Xiaopeng Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Chuanqi Deng
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Minwei Han
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University , Nanning, China
| | - Honglin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Resource Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University , Nanning, China
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Dungan AM, Geissler L, Williams AS, Gotze CR, Flynn EC, Blackall LL, van Oppen MJH. DNA from non-viable bacteria biases diversity estimates in the corals Acropora loripes and Pocillopora acuta. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:86. [PMID: 38062479 PMCID: PMC10704692 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00541-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleic acid-based analytical methods have greatly expanded our understanding of global prokaryotic diversity, yet standard metabarcoding methods provide no information on the most fundamental physiological state of bacteria, viability. Scleractinian corals harbour a complex microbiome in which bacterial symbionts play critical roles in maintaining health and functioning of the holobiont. However, the coral holobiont contains both dead and living bacteria. The former can be the result of corals feeding on bacteria, rapid swings from hyper- to hypoxic conditions in the coral tissue, the presence of antimicrobial compounds in coral mucus, and an abundance of lytic bacteriophages. RESULTS By combining propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment with high-throughput sequencing on six coral species (Acropora loripes, A. millepora, A. kenti, Platygyra daedalea, Pocillopora acuta, and Porites lutea) we were able to obtain information on bacterial communities with little noise from non-viable microbial DNA. Metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene showed significantly higher community evenness (85%) and species diversity (31%) in untreated compared with PMA-treated tissue for A. loripes only. While PMA-treated coral did not differ significantly from untreated samples in terms of observed number of ASVs, > 30% of ASVs were identified in untreated samples only, suggesting that they originated from cell-free/non-viable DNA. Further, the bacterial community structure was significantly different between PMA-treated and untreated samples for A. loripes and P. acuta indicating that DNA from non-viable microbes can bias community composition data in coral species with low bacterial diversity. CONCLUSIONS Our study is highly relevant to microbiome studies on coral and other host organisms as it delivers a solution to excluding non-viable DNA in a complex community. These results provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of host-associated microbiomes and underline the importance of applying versatile tools in the analysis of metabarcoding or next-generation sequencing data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Dungan
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Laura Geissler
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amanda S Williams
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cecilie Ravn Gotze
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Emily C Flynn
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Linda L Blackall
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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32
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Daybog I, Kolodny O. A computational framework for resolving the microbiome diversity conundrum. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7977. [PMID: 38042865 PMCID: PMC10693575 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42768-4] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent empirical studies offer conflicting findings regarding the relation between host fitness and the composition of its microbiome, a conflict which we term 'the microbial β- diversity conundrum'. The microbiome is crucial for host wellbeing and survival. Surprisingly, different healthy individuals' microbiome compositions, even in the same population, often differ dramatically, contrary to the notion that a vital trait should be highly conserved. Moreover, gnotobiotic individuals exhibit highly deleterious phenotypes, supporting the view that the microbiome is paramount to host fitness. However, the introduction of almost arbitrarily selected microbiota into the system often achieves a significant rescue effect of the deleterious phenotypes. This is true even for microbiota from soil or phylogenetically distant host species, highlighting an apparent paradox. We suggest several solutions to the paradox using a computational framework, simulating the population dynamics of hosts and their microbiomes over multiple generations. The answers invoke factors such as host population size, the specific mode of microbial contribution to host fitness, and typical microbiome richness, offering solutions to the conundrum by highlighting scenarios where even when a host's fitness is determined in full by its microbiome composition, this composition has little effect on the natural selection dynamics of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itay Daybog
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel.
| | - Oren Kolodny
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel.
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33
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Howard RD, Schul MD, Rodriguez Bravo LM, Altieri AH, Meyer JL. Shifts in the coral microbiome in response to in situ experimental deoxygenation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0057723. [PMID: 37916820 PMCID: PMC10686059 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00577-23] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Marine hypoxia is a threat for corals but has remained understudied in tropical regions where coral reefs are abundant. Though microbial symbioses can alleviate the effects of ecological stress, we do not yet understand the taxonomic or functional response of the coral microbiome to hypoxia. In this study, we experimentally lowered oxygen levels around Siderastrea siderea and Agaricia lamarcki colonies in situ to observe changes in the coral microbiome in response to deoxygenation. Our results show that hypoxia triggers a stochastic change of the microbiome overall, with some bacterial families changing deterministically after just 48 hours of exposure. These families represent an increase in anaerobic and opportunistic taxa in the microbiomes of both coral species. Thus, marine deoxygenation destabilizes the coral microbiome and increases bacterial opportunism. This work provides novel and fundamental knowledge of the microbial response in coral during hypoxia and may provide insight into holobiont function during stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D. Howard
- Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Monica D. Schul
- Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Lucia M. Rodriguez Bravo
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrew H. Altieri
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Julie L. Meyer
- Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Matthews JL, Hoch L, Raina JB, Pablo M, Hughes DJ, Camp EF, Seymour JR, Ralph PJ, Suggett DJ, Herdean A. Symbiodiniaceae photophysiology and stress resilience is enhanced by microbial associations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20724. [PMID: 38007500 PMCID: PMC10676399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48020-9] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiodiniaceae form associations with extra- and intracellular bacterial symbionts, both in culture and in symbiosis with corals. Bacterial associates can regulate Symbiodiniaceae fitness in terms of growth, calcification and photophysiology. However, the influence of these bacteria on interactive stressors, such as temperature and light, which are known to influence Symbiodiniaceae physiology, remains unclear. Here, we examined the photophysiological response of two Symbiodiniaceae species (Symbiodinium microadriaticum and Breviolum minutum) cultured under acute temperature and light stress with specific bacterial partners from their microbiome (Labrenzia (Roseibium) alexandrii, Marinobacter adhaerens or Muricauda aquimarina). Overall, bacterial presence positively impacted Symbiodiniaceae core photosynthetic health (photosystem II [PSII] quantum yield) and photoprotective capacity (non-photochemical quenching; NPQ) compared to cultures with all extracellular bacteria removed, although specific benefits were variable across Symbiodiniaceae genera and growth phase. Symbiodiniaceae co-cultured with M. aquimarina displayed an inverse NPQ response under high temperatures and light, and those with L. alexandrii demonstrated a lowered threshold for induction of NPQ, potentially through the provision of antioxidant compounds such as zeaxanthin (produced by Muricauda spp.) and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP; produced by this strain of L. alexandrii). Our co-culture approach empirically demonstrates the benefits bacteria can deliver to Symbiodiniaceae photochemical performance, providing evidence that bacterial associates can play important functional roles for Symbiodiniaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Matthews
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - Lilian Hoch
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Marine Pablo
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - David J Hughes
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Emma F Camp
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin R Seymour
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Reseach Centre (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, 23955, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrei Herdean
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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35
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Wu B, Lou C, Chen Z, Chai T, Yu H. Combined 16S and Internal Transcribed Spacer analysis revealed the effect of time on microbial community in animal house. Poult Sci 2023; 102:103039. [PMID: 37729676 PMCID: PMC10514460 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 reminds people that aerosols have an important impact on health. The concentration and composition of microbial aerosol in livestock and poultry houses are closely related to the environmental conditions of livestock and poultry houses, and also related to the healthy growth of livestock and poultry. In our study, 16S and ITS sequencing techniques were used to analyze the relation and difference of bacteria and fungi in the air samples of a chicken house. At the age of 7 to 42 d, the operation classification unit (OTU) numbers of bacteria and fungi identified in our results were 2,398 and 986, respectively, of which the shared OTU numbers were 410 and 141, respectively. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinomycetes were the 3 most abundant bacterial phyla, and Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes were the top 2 phyla in fungi. At the genus level, 7 differential fungal genera were identified, including Debaryomyces, Trichosporon, Wallemia, Aspergillus, Nigrospora, Fusarium, and Vishniacozyma. Compared with other bacterial genera, Lactobacillus, Cetobacterium, and Romboutsia had the highest abundance (more than 5%). The result showed that the Alpha diversity and Beta diversity of fungi were significantly different in different growing periods. However, only Beta diversity showed significant differences among bacteria. In general, the bacterial and fungal diversity of microbial aerosols in the chicken house increased significantly at the age of 7 to 42 d. And the evenness and richness of airborne fungal communities also increased obviously. In a word, we must pay attention to the complex community composition in the chicken house, this is closely related to animal health and the health of surrounding residents. The cooperation and communication between bacteria and fungi in PM2.5 samples provides a new reference to analyze the influence of microbial aerosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225 China
| | - Cheng Lou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225 China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225 China
| | - Tongjie Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an, Shandong Province 271000, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225 China.
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36
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Petersen C, Hamerich IK, Adair KL, Griem-Krey H, Torres Oliva M, Hoeppner MP, Bohannan BJM, Schulenburg H. Host and microbiome jointly contribute to environmental adaptation. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1953-1965. [PMID: 37673969 PMCID: PMC10579302 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Most animals and plants have associated microorganisms, collectively referred to as their microbiomes, which can provide essential functions. Given their importance, host-associated microbiomes have the potential to contribute substantially to adaptation of the host-microbiome assemblage (the "metaorganism"). Microbiomes may be especially important for rapid adaptation to novel environments because microbiomes can change more rapidly than host genomes. However, it is not well understood how hosts and microbiomes jointly contribute to metaorganism adaptation. We developed a model system with which to disentangle the contributions of hosts and microbiomes to metaorganism adaptation. We established replicate mesocosms containing the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans co-cultured with microorganisms in a novel complex environment (laboratory compost). After approximately 30 nematode generations (100 days), we harvested worm populations and associated microbiomes, and subjected them to a common garden experiment designed to unravel the impacts of microbiome composition and host genetics on metaorganism adaptation. We observed that adaptation took different trajectories in different mesocosm lines, with some increasing in fitness and others decreasing, and that interactions between host and microbiome played an important role in these contrasting evolutionary paths. We chose two exemplary mesocosms (one with a fitness increase and one with a decrease) for detailed study. For each example, we identified specific changes in both microbiome composition (for both bacteria and fungi) and nematode gene expression associated with each change in fitness. Our study provides experimental evidence that adaptation to a novel environment can be jointly influenced by host and microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Petersen
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Inga K Hamerich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Karen L Adair
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Hanne Griem-Krey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Marc P Hoeppner
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Ploen, Germany.
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37
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Greene A, Moriarty T, Leggatt W, Ainsworth TD, Donahue MJ, Raymundo L. Spatial extent of dysbiosis in the branching coral Pocillopora damicornis during an acute disease outbreak. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16522. [PMID: 37783737 PMCID: PMC10545779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43490-3] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, coral reefs face increasing disease prevalence and large-scale outbreak events. These outbreaks offer insights into microbial and functional patterns of coral disease, including early indicators of disease that may be present in visually-healthy tissues. Outbreak events also allow investigation of how reef-building corals, typically colonial organisms, respond to disease. We studied Pocillopora damicornis during an acute tissue loss disease outbreak on Guam to determine whether dysbiosis was present in visually-healthy tissues ahead of advancing disease lesions. These data reveal that coral fragments with visual evidence of disease are expectedly dysbiotic with high microbial and metabolomic variability. However, visually-healthy tissues from the same colonies lacked dysbiosis, suggesting disease containment near the affected area. These results challenge the idea of using broad dysbiosis as a pre-visual disease indicator and prompt reevaluation of disease assessment in colonial organisms such as reef-building corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Greene
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA.
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'Ohe, HI, USA.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Megan J Donahue
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'Ohe, HI, USA
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38
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Marangon E, Uthicke S, Patel F, Marzinelli EM, Bourne DG, Webster NS, Laffy PW. Life-stage specificity and cross-generational climate effects on the microbiome of a tropical sea urchin (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5645-5660. [PMID: 37724851 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Microbes play a critical role in the development and health of marine invertebrates, though microbial dynamics across life stages and host generations remain poorly understood in most reef species, especially in the context of climate change. Here, we use a 4-year multigenerational experiment to explore microbe-host interactions under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-forecast climate scenarios in the rock-boring tropical urchin Echinometra sp. A. Adult urchins (F0 ) were exposed for 18 months to increased temperature and pCO2 levels predicted for years 2050 and 2100 under RCP 8.5, a period which encompassed spawning. After rearing F1 offspring for a further 2 years, spawning was induced, and F2 larvae were raised under current day and 2100 conditions. Cross-generational climate effects were also explored in the microbiome of F1 offspring through a transplant experiment. Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, we determined that each life stage and generation was associated with a distinct microbiome, with higher microbial diversity observed in juveniles compared to larval stages. Although life-stage specificity was conserved under climate conditions projected for 2050 and 2100, we observed changes in the urchin microbial community structure within life stages. Furthermore, we detected a climate-mediated parental effect when juveniles were transplanted among climate treatments, with the parental climate treatment influencing the offspring microbiome. Our findings reveal a potential for cross-generational impacts of climate change on the microbiome of a tropical invertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Marangon
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frances Patel
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ezequiel M Marzinelli
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - David G Bourne
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Patrick W Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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39
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Price JT, McLachlan RH, Jury CP, Toonen RJ, Wilkins MJ, Grottoli AG. Long-term coral microbial community acclimatization is associated with coral survival in a changing climate. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291503. [PMID: 37738222 PMCID: PMC10516427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The plasticity of some coral-associated microbial communities under stressors like warming and ocean acidification suggests the microbiome has a role in the acclimatization of corals to future ocean conditions. Here, we evaluated the acclimatization potential of coral-associated microbial communities of four Hawaiian coral species (Porites compressa, Porites lobata, Montipora capitata, and Pocillopora acuta) over 22-month mesocosm experiment. The corals were exposed to one of four treatments: control, ocean acidification, ocean warming, or combined future ocean conditions. Over the 22-month study, 33-67% of corals died or experienced a loss of most live tissue coverage in the ocean warming and future ocean treatments while only 0-10% died in the ocean acidification and control. Among the survivors, coral-associated microbial communities responded to the chronic future ocean treatment in one of two ways: (1) microbial communities differed between the control and future ocean treatment, suggesting the potential capacity for acclimatization, or (2) microbial communities did not significantly differ between the control and future ocean treatment. The first strategy was observed in both Porites species and was associated with higher survivorship compared to M. capitata and P. acuta which exhibited the second strategy. Interestingly, the microbial community responses to chronic stressors were independent of coral physiology. These findings indicate acclimatization of microbial communities may confer resilience in some species of corals to chronic warming associated with climate change. However, M. capitata genets that survived the future ocean treatment hosted significantly different microbial communities from those that died, suggesting the microbial communities of the survivors conferred some resilience. Thus, even among coral species with inflexible microbial communities, some individuals may already be tolerant to future ocean conditions. These findings suggest that coral-associated microbial communities could play an important role in the persistence of some corals and underlie climate change-driven shifts in coral community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T. Price
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rowan H. McLachlan
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Christopher P. Jury
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Toonen
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Wilkins
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Andréa G. Grottoli
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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40
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Pinnow N, Chibani CM, Güllert S, Weiland-Bräuer N. Microbial community changes correlate with impaired host fitness of Aurelia aurita after environmental challenge. Anim Microbiome 2023; 5:45. [PMID: 37735458 PMCID: PMC10515101 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00266-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change globally endangers certain marine species, but at the same time, such changes may promote species that can tolerate and adapt to varying environmental conditions. Such acclimatization can be accompanied or possibly even be enabled by a host's microbiome; however, few studies have so far directly addressed this process. Here we show that acute, individual rises in seawater temperature and salinity to sub-lethal levels diminished host fitness of the benthic Aurelia aurita polyp, demonstrated by up to 34% reduced survival rate, shrinking of the animals, and almost halted asexual reproduction. Changes in the fitness of the polyps to environmental stressors coincided with microbiome changes, mainly within the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. The absence of bacteria amplified these effects, pointing to the benefit of a balanced microbiota to cope with a changing environment. In a future ocean scenario, mimicked by a combined but milder rise of temperature and salinity, the fitness of polyps was severely less impaired, together with condition-specific changes in the microbiome composition. Our results show that the effects on host fitness correlate with the strength of environmental stress, while salt-conveyed thermotolerance might be involved. Further, a specific, balanced microbiome of A. aurita polyps supports the host's acclimatization. Microbiomes may provide a means for acclimatization, and microbiome flexibility can be a fundamental strategy for marine animals to adapt to future ocean scenarios and maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pinnow
- General Microbiology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Cynthia M Chibani
- General Microbiology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon Güllert
- General Microbiology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
- Current address: Sysmex Inostics GmbH, Falkenried 88, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Weiland-Bräuer
- General Microbiology, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
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Dellaert Z, Putnam HM. Reconciling the variability in the biological response of marine invertebrates to climate change. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245834. [PMID: 37655544 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
As climate change increases the rate of environmental change and the frequency and intensity of disturbance events, selective forces intensify. However, given the complicated interplay between plasticity and selection for ecological - and thus evolutionary - outcomes, understanding the proximate signals, molecular mechanisms and the role of environmental history becomes increasingly critical for eco-evolutionary forecasting. To enhance the accuracy of our forecasting, we must characterize environmental signals at a level of resolution that is relevant to the organism, such as the microhabitat it inhabits and its intracellular conditions, while also quantifying the biological responses to these signals in the appropriate cells and tissues. In this Commentary, we provide historical context to some of the long-standing challenges in global change biology that constrain our capacity for eco-evolutionary forecasting using reef-building corals as a focal model. We then describe examples of mismatches between the scales of external signals relative to the sensors and signal transduction cascades that initiate and maintain cellular responses. Studying cellular responses at this scale is crucial because these responses are the basis of acclimation to changing environmental conditions and the potential for environmental 'memory' of prior or historical conditions through molecular mechanisms. To challenge the field, we outline some unresolved questions and suggest approaches to align experimental work with an organism's perception of the environment; these aspects are discussed with respect to human interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Dellaert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 120 Flagg Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 120 Flagg Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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Doering T, Tandon K, Topa SH, Pidot SJ, Blackall LL, van Oppen MJH. Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:185. [PMID: 37596630 PMCID: PMC10439622 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01622-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reef-building corals are acutely threatened by ocean warming, calling for active interventions to reduce coral bleaching and mortality. Corals associate with a wide diversity of bacteria which can influence coral health, but knowledge of specific functions that may be beneficial for corals under thermal stress is scant. Under the oxidative stress theory of coral bleaching, bacteria that scavenge reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen species (RNS) are expected to enhance coral thermal resilience. Further, bacterial carbon export might substitute the carbon supply from algal photosymbionts, enhance thermal resilience and facilitate bleaching recovery. To identify probiotic bacterial candidates, we sequenced the genomes of 82 pure-cultured bacteria that were isolated from the emerging coral model Galaxea fascicularis. RESULTS Genomic analyses showed bacterial isolates were affiliated with 37 genera. Isolates such as Ruegeria, Muricauda and Roseovarius were found to encode genes for the synthesis of the antioxidants mannitol, glutathione, dimethylsulfide, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, zeaxanthin and/or β-carotene. Genes involved in RNS-scavenging were found in many G. fascicularis-associated bacteria, which represents a novel finding for several genera (including Pseudophaeobacter). Transporters that are suggested to export carbon (semiSWEET) were detected in seven isolates, including Pseudovibrio and Roseibium. Further, a range of bacterial strains, including strains of Roseibium and Roseovarius, revealed genomic features that may enhance colonisation and association of bacteria with the coral host, such as secretion systems and eukaryote-like repeat proteins. CONCLUSIONS Our work provides an in-depth genomic analysis of the functional potential of G. fascicularis-associated bacteria and identifies novel combinations of traits that may enhance the coral's ability to withstand coral bleaching. Identifying and characterising bacteria that are beneficial for corals is critical for the development of effective probiotics that boost coral climate resilience. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talisa Doering
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Kshitij Tandon
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Sanjida H. Topa
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Sacha J. Pidot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Linda L. Blackall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD Australia
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Jensen N, Weiland-Bräuer N, Joel S, Chibani CM, Schmitz RA. The Life Cycle of Aurelia aurita Depends on the Presence of a Microbiome in Polyps Prior to Onset of Strobilation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0026223. [PMID: 37378516 PMCID: PMC10433978 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00262-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurelia aurita's intricate life cycle alternates between benthic polyp and pelagic medusa stages. The strobilation process, a critical asexual reproduction mechanism in this jellyfish, is severely compromised in the absence of the natural polyp microbiome, with limited production and release of ephyrae. Yet, the recolonization of sterile polyps with a native polyp microbiome can correct this defect. Here, we investigated the precise timing necessary for recolonization as well as the host-associated molecular processes involved. We deciphered that a natural microbiota had to be present in polyps prior to the onset of strobilation to ensure normal asexual reproduction and a successful polyp-to-medusa transition. Providing the native microbiota to sterile polyps after the onset of strobilation failed to restore the normal strobilation process. The absence of a microbiome was associated with decreased transcription of developmental and strobilation genes as monitored by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Transcription of these genes was exclusively observed for native polyps and sterile polyps that were recolonized before the initiation of strobilation. We further propose that direct cell contact between the host and its associated bacteria is required for the normal production of offspring. Overall, our findings indicate that the presence of a native microbiome at the polyp stage prior to the onset of strobilation is essential to ensure a normal polyp-to-medusa transition. IMPORTANCE All multicellular organisms are associated with microorganisms that play fundamental roles in the health and fitness of the host. Notably, the native microbiome of the Cnidarian Aurelia aurita is crucial for the asexual reproduction by strobilation. Sterile polyps display malformed strobilae and a halt of ephyrae release, which is restored by recolonizing sterile polyps with a native microbiota. Despite that, little is known about the microbial impact on the strobilation process's timing and molecular consequences. The present study shows that A. aurita's life cycle depends on the presence of the native microbiome at the polyp stage prior to the onset of strobilation to ensure the polyp-to-medusa transition. Moreover, sterile individuals correlate with reduced transcription levels of developmental and strobilation genes, evidencing the microbiome's impact on strobilation on the molecular level. Transcription of strobilation genes was exclusively detected in native polyps and those recolonized before initiating strobilation, suggesting microbiota-dependent gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadin Jensen
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nancy Weiland-Bräuer
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Shindhuja Joel
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Cynthia Maria Chibani
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ruth Anne Schmitz
- Institute of General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Tignat-Perrier R, van de Water JAJM, Allemand D, Ferrier-Pagès C. Holobiont responses of mesophotic precious red coral Corallium rubrum to thermal anomalies. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:70. [PMID: 37580830 PMCID: PMC10424431 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine heat waves (MHWs) have increased in frequency and intensity worldwide, causing mass mortality of benthic organisms and loss of biodiversity in shallow waters. The Mediterranean Sea is no exception, with shallow populations of habitat-forming octocorals facing the threat of local extinction. The mesophotic zone, which is less affected by MHWs, may be of ecological importance in conservation strategies for these species. However, our understanding of the response of mesophotic octocoral holobionts to changes in seawater temperature remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study on an iconic Mediterranean octocoral, the red coral Corallium rubrum sampled at 60 m depth and 15 °C. We exposed the colonies to temperatures they occasionally experience (18 °C) and temperatures that could occur at the end of the century if global warming continues (21 °C). We also tested their response to extremely cold and warm temperatures (12 °C and 24 °C). Our results show a high tolerance of C. rubrum to a two-month long exposure to temperatures ranging from 12 to 21 °C as no colony showed signs of tissue loss, reduced feeding ability, stress-induced gene expression, or disruption of host-bacterial symbioses. At 24 °C, however, we measured a sharp decrease in the relative abundance of Spirochaetaceae, which are the predominant bacterial symbionts under healthy conditions, along with a relative increase in Vibrionaceae. Tissue loss and overexpression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 gene were also observed after two weeks of exposure. In light of ongoing global warming, our study helps predict the consequences of MHWs on mesophotic coralligenous reefs and the biodiversity that depends on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romie Tignat-Perrier
- Unité de Recherche sur la Biologie des Coraux Précieux CSM-CHANEL, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco.
- Coral Ecophysiology Laboratory, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco.
| | - Jeroen A J M van de Water
- Unité de Recherche sur la Biologie des Coraux Précieux CSM-CHANEL, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
- Coral Ecophysiology Laboratory, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Korringaweg 7, 4401 NT, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Denis Allemand
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Christine Ferrier-Pagès
- Coral Ecophysiology Laboratory, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
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Wuerz M, Lawson CA, Oakley CA, Possell M, Wilkinson SP, Grossman AR, Weis VM, Suggett DJ, Davy SK. Symbiont Identity Impacts the Microbiome and Volatilome of a Model Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1014. [PMID: 37508443 PMCID: PMC10376011 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The symbiosis between cnidarians and dinoflagellates underpins the success of reef-building corals in otherwise nutrient-poor habitats. Alterations to symbiotic state can perturb metabolic homeostasis and thus alter the release of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). While BVOCs can play important roles in metabolic regulation and signalling, how the symbiotic state affects BVOC output remains unexplored. We therefore characterised the suite of BVOCs that comprise the volatilome of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia') when aposymbiotic and in symbiosis with either its native dinoflagellate symbiont Breviolum minutum or the non-native symbiont Durusdinium trenchii. In parallel, the bacterial community structure in these different symbiotic states was fully characterised to resolve the holobiont microbiome. Based on rRNA analyses, 147 unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were observed across symbiotic states. Furthermore, the microbiomes were distinct across the different symbiotic states: bacteria in the family Vibrionaceae were the most abundant in aposymbiotic anemones; those in the family Crocinitomicaceae were the most abundant in anemones symbiotic with D. trenchii; and anemones symbiotic with B. minutum had the highest proportion of low-abundance ASVs. Across these different holobionts, 142 BVOCs were detected and classified into 17 groups based on their chemical structure, with BVOCs containing multiple functional groups being the most abundant. Isoprene was detected in higher abundance when anemones hosted their native symbiont, and dimethyl sulphide was detected in higher abundance in the volatilome of both Aiptasia-Symbiodiniaceae combinations relative to aposymbiotic anemones. The volatilomes of aposymbiotic anemones and anemones symbiotic with B. minutum were distinct, while the volatilome of anemones symbiotic with D. trenchii overlapped both of the others. Collectively, our results are consistent with previous reports that D. trenchii produces a metabolically sub-optimal symbiosis with Aiptasia, and add to our understanding of how symbiotic cnidarians, including corals, may respond to climate change should they acquire novel dinoflagellate partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Wuerz
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Caitlin A Lawson
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Clinton A Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Malcolm Possell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Arthur R Grossman
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Virginia M Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - David J Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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Pei PT, Liu L, Jing XL, Liu XL, Sun LY, Gao C, Cui XH, Wang J, Ma ZL, Song SY, Sun ZH, Wang CY. Meta-analysis reveals variations in microbial communities from diverse stony coral taxa at different geographical distances. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1087750. [PMID: 37520377 PMCID: PMC10374221 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1087750] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral-associated microbial communities play a vital role in underpinning the health and resilience of reef ecosystems. Previous studies have demonstrated that the microbial communities of corals are affected by multiple factors, mainly focusing on host species and geolocation. However, up-to-date, insight into how the coral microbiota is structured by vast geographic distance with rich taxa is deficient. In the present study, the coral microbiota in six stony coral species collected from the coastal area of three countries, including United States of America (USA), Australia and Fiji, was used for analysis. It was found that the geographic influence on the coral microbiota was stronger than the coral host influence, even though both were significant. Interestingly, the contribution of the deterministic process to bacterial community composition increased as geographical distance grew. A total of 65 differentially abundant features of functions in coral microbial communities were identified to be associated with three geolocations. While in the same coastal area of USA, the similar relationship of coral microbiota was consistent with the phylogenetic relationship of coral hosts. In contrast to the phylum Proteobacteria, which was most abundant in other coral species in USA, Cyanobacteria was the most abundant phylum in Orbicella faveolata. The above findings may help to better understand the multiple natural driving forces shaping the coral microbial community to contribute to defining the healthy baseline of the coral microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Tao Pei
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, China
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Lu Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, China
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Li Jing
- High Performance Computing and System Simulation Platform, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Lu Liu
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lu-Yang Sun
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Gao
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Han Cui
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Single-Cell Center, Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Department of Mathematics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhong-Lian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Shu-Yue Song
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Sun
- Department of Mathematics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Chang-Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
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Ashraf N, Anas A, Sukumaran V, Gopinath G, Idrees Babu KK, Dinesh Kumar PK. Recent advancements in coral health, microbiome interactions and climate change. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:163085. [PMID: 36996987 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Corals are the visible indicators of the disasters induced by global climate change and anthropogenic activities and have become a highly vulnerable ecosystem on the verge of extinction. Multiple stressors could act individually or synergistically which results in small to large scale tissue degradation, reduced coral covers, and makes the corals vulnerable to various diseases. The coralline diseases are like the Chicken pox in humans because they spread hastily throughout the coral ecosystem and can devastate the coral cover formed over centuries in an abbreviated time. The extinction of the entire reef ecosystem will alter the ocean and earth's amalgam of biogeochemical cycles causing a threat to the entire planet. The current manuscript provides an overview of the recent advancement in coral health, microbiome interactions and climate change. Culture dependent and independent approaches in studying the microbiome of corals, the diseases caused by microorganisms, and the reservoirs of coral pathogens are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the possibilities of protecting the coral reefs from diseases through microbiome transplantation and the capabilities of remote sensing in monitoring their health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nizam Ashraf
- CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, India
| | - Abdulaziz Anas
- CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, India.
| | - Vrinda Sukumaran
- CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, India
| | - Girish Gopinath
- Department of Climate Variability and Aquatic Ecosystems, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Puduvypu Campus, Kochi 682 508, India
| | - K K Idrees Babu
- Department of Science and Technology, Kavaratti, Lakshadweep 682555, India
| | - P K Dinesh Kumar
- CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, India
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Xu M, Cheng K, Xiao B, Tong M, Cai Z, Jong MC, Chen G, Zhou J. Bacterial Communities Vary from Different Scleractinian Coral Species and between Bleached and Non-Bleached Corals. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0491022. [PMID: 37191552 PMCID: PMC10269541 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04910-22] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bleaching is one of the most relevant factors implicated in the integrity of coral reef ecosystems, with the increasing frequency and intensity of damaging events representing a serious threat to reef biodiversity. Here, we analyzed changes in coral-associated bacteria from three types of non-bleached and bleached scleractinian corals (Acropora digitifera, Galaxea fascicularis, and Porites pukoensis) in Hainan Luhuitou peninsula coastal areas. The community structure of symbiotic bacteria differed significantly among the three apparently healthy corals. The bleached corals had higher bacterial alpha diversity and some specific bacteria genera, including Ruegeria, Methyloceanibacter, Filomicrobium, Halioglobus, Rubripirellula, Rhodopirellula, Silicimonas, Blastopirellula, Sva0996 marine group, Woeseia, and unclassified_c_Gammaproteobacteria, were consistently increased in bleached groups. Network analysis revealed significantly different degrees of modularity between bleached and non-bleached groups at the bacterial genus level, and a higher proportion of links was dominated by positive co-occurrences. Functional prediction analysis illustrated that coral-associated bacteria remained relatively consistent in the bleached and non-bleached groups. Structure equation modeling revealed that the bacterial community diversity and function were directly influenced by host and environment factors. These findings suggested that coral-associated bacterial responses to bleaching occur in a host-dependent manner, informing novel strategies for restoring coral and aiding adaption to bleaching stress. IMPORTANCE Accumulating evidence indicates that coral-associated bacteria play an important role in the health of holobionts. However, the variability of the symbiotic bacterial community structure among coral species with different coral health statuses remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated three apparent non-bleached (healthy) and bleached coral species (sampled in situ), involving related symbiotic bacterial profiles, including composition, alpha diversity, network relationship, and potential function. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to analyze the relationship between coral status and abiotic and biotic factors. The bacterial community structure of different groups was shown to exhibit host-specific traits. Both host and environmental impacts had primary effects on coral-associated microbial communities. Future studies are needed to identify the mechanisms that mediate divergent microbial consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiting Xu
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Keke Cheng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Baohua Xiao
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Tong
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mui-Choo Jong
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guofu Chen
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
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Delva S, De Baets B, Baetens JM, De Clerck O, Stock W. No bacterial-mediated alleviation of thermal stress in a brown seaweed suggests the absence of ecological bacterial rescue effects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162532. [PMID: 36870499 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While microbiome alterations are increasingly proposed as a rapid mechanism to buffer organisms under changing environmental conditions, studies of these processes in the marine realm are lagging far behind their terrestrial counterparts. Here, we used a controlled laboratory experiment to examine whether the thermal tolerance of the brown seaweed Dictyota dichotoma, a common species in European coastal ecosystems, could be enhanced by the repeated addition of bacteria from its natural environment. Juvenile algae from three genotypes were subjected for two weeks to a temperature gradient, spanning almost the entire thermal range that can be tolerated by the species (11-30 °C). At the start of the experiment and again in the middle of the experiment, the algae were inoculated with bacteria from their natural environment or left untouched as a control. Relative growth rate was measured over the two-week period, and we assessed bacterial community composition prior to and at the end of the experiment. Since the growth of D. dichotoma over the full thermal gradient was not affected by supplementing bacteria, our results indicate no scope for bacterial-mediated stress alleviation. The minimal changes in the bacterial communities linked to bacterial addition, particularly at temperatures above the thermal optimum (22-23 °C), suggest the existence of a barrier to bacterial recruitment. These findings indicate that ecological bacterial rescue is unlikely to play a role in mitigating the effects of ocean warming on this brown seaweed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soria Delva
- Phycology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Research Unit Knowledge-Based Systems (KERMIT), Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bernard De Baets
- Research Unit Knowledge-Based Systems (KERMIT), Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jan M Baetens
- Research Unit Knowledge-Based Systems (KERMIT), Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Olivier De Clerck
- Phycology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Willem Stock
- Phycology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Li J, Chai G, Xiao Y, Li Z. The impacts of ocean acidification, warming and their interactive effects on coral prokaryotic symbionts. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:49. [PMID: 37287087 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00505-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reef-building corals, the foundation of tropical coral reefs, are vulnerable to climate change e.g. ocean acidification and elevated seawater temperature. Coral microbiome plays a key role in host acclimatization and maintenance of the coral holobiont's homeostasis under different environmental conditions, however, the response patterns of coral prokaryotic symbionts to ocean acidification and/or warming are rarely known at the metatranscriptional level, particularly the knowledge of interactive and persistent effects is limited. Using branching Acropora valida and massive Galaxea fascicularis as models in a lab system simulating extreme ocean acidification (pH 7.7) and/or warming (32 °C) in the future, we investigated the changes of in situ active prokaryotic symbionts community and gene expression of corals under/after (6/9 d) acidification (A), warming (H) and acidification-warming (AH) by metatranscriptome analysis with pH8.1, 26 °C as the control. RESULTS A, H and AH increased the relative abundance of in situ active pathogenic bacteria. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in virulence, stress resistance, and heat shock proteins were up-regulated. Many DEGs involved in photosynthesis, carbon dioxide fixation, amino acids, cofactors and vitamins, auxin synthesis were down-regulated. A broad array of new DEGs involved in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production emerged after the stress treatment. Different response patterns of prokaryotic symbionts of massive G. fascicularis and branching A. valida were suggested, as well as the interactive effects of combined AH and persistent effects. CONCLUSIONS The metatranscriptome-based study indicates that acidification and/or warming might change coral's in situ active prokaryotic microbial diversity and functional gene expression towards more pathogenic and destabilized coral-microbes symbioses, particularly combined acidification and warming show interactive effects. These findings will aid in comprehension of the coral holobiont's ability for acclimatization under future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangjun Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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