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Huang S, Luo L, Wen B, Liu X, Yu K, Zhang M. Metabolic signatures of two scleractinian corals from the northern South China sea in response to extreme high temperature events. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106490. [PMID: 38636276 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106490] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Coral bleaching events are becoming increasingly common worldwide, causing widespread coral mortality. However, not all colonies within the same coral taxa show sensitivity to bleaching events, and the current understanding of the metabolic mechanisms underlying thermal bleaching in corals remains limited. We used untargeted metabolomics to analyze the biochemical processes involved in the survival of two bleaching phenotypes of the common corals Pavona decussata and Acropora pruinosa, during a severe bleaching event in the northern South China Sea in 2020. During thermal bleaching, P. decussata and A. pruinosa significantly accumulated energy products such as succinate and EPA, antioxidants and inflammatory markers, and reduced energy storage substances like glutamate and thymidine. KEGG analysis revealed enrichment of energy production pathways such as ABC transporters, nucleotide metabolism and lipid metabolism, suggesting the occurrence of oxidative stress and energy metabolism disorders in bleached corals. Notably, heat stress exerted distinct effects on metabolic pathways in the two coral species, e.g., P. decussata activating carbohydrate metabolism pathways like glycolysis and the TCA cycle, along with amino acid metabolism pathways, whereas A. pruinosa significantly altered the content of multiple small peptides affected amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the osmoregulatory potential of corals correlates with their ability to survive in heat-stress environments in the wild. This study provides valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms linked to thermal tolerance in reef-building corals, contributes to the understanding of corals' adaptive potential to heat stress induced by global warming and lays the foundation for developing targeted conservation strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan 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 530004, China
| | - Li Luo
- 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 530004, China
| | - Beihua Wen
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xurui Liu
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, 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 530004, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China.
| | - Man Zhang
- 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 530004, China.
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Mancuso FP, Morrissey KL, De Clerck O, Airoldi L. Warming and nutrient enrichment can trigger seaweed loss by dysregulation of the microbiome structure and predicted function. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:162919. [PMID: 36958561 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162919] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Warming and nutrient enrichment are key pervasive drivers of ecological shifts in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, impairing the physiology and survival of a wide range of foundation species. But the underlying mechanisms often remain unclear, and experiments have overlooked the potential effects mediated by changes in the microbial communities. We experimentally tested in the field orthogonal stress combinations from simulated air warming and nutrient enrichment on the intertidal foundation seaweed Cystoseira compressa, and its associated bacterial communities. A total of 523 Amplicon Sequence Variance (ASVs) formed the bacterial community on C. compressa, with 222 ASVs assigned to 69 taxa at the genus level. Most bacteria taxa experienced changes in abundance as a result of additive (65 %) and antagonistic (30 %) interactions between the two stressors, with synergies (5 %) occurring less frequently. The analysis of the predicted bacterial functional profile identified 160 metabolic pathways, and showed that these were mostly affected by additive interactions (74 %) between air warming and nutrient enrichment, while antagonisms (20 %) and synergisms (6 %) were less frequent. Overall, the two stressors combined increased functions associated with seaweed disease or degradation of major cell-wall polymers and other algicidal processes, and decreased functions associated with Quorum Quenching and photosynthetic response. We conclude that warming and nutrient enrichment can dysregulate the microbiome of seaweeds, providing a plausible mechanism for their ongoing loss, and encourage more research into the effects of human impacts on crucial but yet largely unstudied host-microbiome relationships in different aquatic and terrestrial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Mancuso
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.
| | - Kathryn Lee Morrissey
- Phycology Research Group and Center for Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Clerck
- Phycology Research Group and Center for Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Airoldi
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy; Chioggia Hydrobiological Station "Umberto D'Ancona", Department of Biology, UO CoNISMa, University of Padova, Chioggia, Italy.
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3
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Han JHJ, Stefanak MP, Rodgers KS. Low-level nutrient enrichment during thermal stress delays bleaching and ameliorates calcification in three Hawaiian reef coral species. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13707. [PMID: 35855432 PMCID: PMC9288827 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial-based nutrient pollution has emerged as one of the most detrimental factors to coral health in many reef habitats. Recent studies have shown that excessive dissolved inorganic nutrients can reduce coral thermal tolerance thresholds and even exacerbate bleaching during thermal stress, yet the effects of minor nutrient enrichment under heat stress have not been extensively studied. In this study, Lobactis scutaria, Montipora capitata, and Pocillopora acuta colonies under heated conditions (~30.5 °C) were exposed to low and balanced nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations over a 31-day heating period. Coral colonies were collected from Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, which has a unique history of nutrient pollution, and held in mesocosms that allowed for environmental manipulation yet are also influenced by local field conditions. Principal findings included delays in the bleaching of nutrient-enriched heated colonies as compared to heated-only colonies, in addition to relatively greater calcification rates and lower proportions of early-stage paling. Species-specific outcomes were prevalent, with L. scutaria demonstrating no difference in calcification with enrichment under heat stress. By the end of the heating stage, however, many heated colonies were at least partially impacted by bleaching or mortality. Despite this, our findings suggest that low levels of balanced nutrient enrichment may serve as a mitigative force during thermal events. Further field-based studies will be required to assess these results in different reef habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon J. Han
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States
| | - Matthew P. Stefanak
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States
| | - Ku‘ulei S. Rodgers
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States
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Shaw DK, Sekar J, Ramalingam PV. Recent insights into oceanic dimethylsulfoniopropionate biosynthesis and catabolism. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2669-2700. [PMID: 35611751 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a globally important organosulfur compound is produced in prodigious amounts (2.0 Pg sulfur) annually in the marine environment by phytoplankton, macroalgae, heterotrophic bacteria, some corals and certain higher plants. It is an important marine osmolyte and a major precursor molecule for the production of climate-active volatile gas dimethyl sulfide (DMS). DMSP synthesis take place via three pathways: a transamination 'pathway-' in some marine bacteria and algae, a Met-methylation 'pathway-' in angiosperms and bacteria and a decarboxylation 'pathway-' in the dinoflagellate, Crypthecodinium. The enzymes DSYB and TpMMT are involved in the DMSP biosynthesis in eukaryotes while marine heterotrophic bacteria engage key enzymes such as DsyB and MmtN. Several marine bacterial communities import DMSP and degrade it via cleavage or demethylation pathways or oxidation pathway, thereby generating DMS, methanethiol, and dimethylsulfoxonium propionate, respectively. DMSP is cleaved through diverse DMSP lyase enzymes in bacteria and via Alma1 enzyme in phytoplankton. The demethylation pathway involves four different enzymes, namely DmdA, DmdB, DmdC and DmdD/AcuH. However, enzymes involved in the oxidation pathway have not been yet identified. We reviewed the recent advances on the synthesis and catabolism of DMSP and enzymes that are involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Shaw
- Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jegan Sekar
- Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Prabavathy Vaiyapuri Ramalingam
- Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
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Zhu W, Xia J, Ren Y, Xie M, Yin H, Liu X, Huang J, Zhu M, Li X. Coastal corals during heat stress and eutrophication: A case study in Northwest Hainan coastal areas. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113048. [PMID: 34678546 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study initially investigated the coral status during the unexpected bleaching event in three coastal areas in Northwest Hainan coastal areas and analyzed changes in coral holobionts of the healthy and bleached Galaxea fascicularis. Coral coverage had declined severely, and the bleaching rate was extremely high during heat stress. The bleached corals had lower maximum photosynthetic yield, actual photosynthetic yield, zooxanthellae density, and chlorophyll a content than the healthy G. fascicularis, but there was no significant difference in protein, carbohydrate and lipid in eutrophic waters. The diversity and community composition of Symbiodiniaceae and symbiotic bacteria between healthy and bleached G. fascicularis showed no difference. Function prediction of the symbiotic bacteria revealed that the metabolism process was the main pathway of annotation. Present findings suggested that energy reserve functioning and high stability of the holobiont structure and might provide opportunities to G. fascicularis to adapt to eutrophication and heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jingquan Xia
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuxiao Ren
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Minrui Xie
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Hongyang Yin
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiangbo Liu
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jianzhong Huang
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Ming Zhu
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiubao Li
- College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
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Fischer E, Jones G. Dimethylsulphoniopropionate as a water quality indicator of coral bleaching: Implications for monitoring studies on the Great Barrier Reef. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112081. [PMID: 33524833 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Short term stress experiments with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) have been carried out on the staghorn coral Acropora intermedia, collected from Heron Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef, at low and elevated seawater temperatures. Zooxanthellae, chlorophyll a, intracellular and tissue dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and extracellular DMSP production were measured to assess the level of stress on A. intermedia at different winter and summer seasons from 2001 to 2003. Whilst no significant changes were measured in these stress indicators in 2001 and 2003, significant changes occurred in winter 2002, reflecting natural stresses on A. intermedia in the field, and stress from added DIP and TPP at high seawater temperatures. These stresses caused corals to bleach, whilst extracellular DMSP, intracellular and tissue DMSP concentrations increased, reflecting the antioxidant role of DMSP in the coral zooxanthellae and coral host to combat stress. These results have important implications for future research in the GBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Fischer
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Gruental, 8820 Wadenswil, Switzerland
| | - Graham Jones
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4814, Australia.
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López-Márquez V, Lozano-Martín C, Hadjioannou L, Acevedo I, Templado J, Jimenez C, Taviani M, Machordom A. Asexual reproduction in bad times? The case of Cladocora caespitosa in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. CORAL REEFS (ONLINE) 2021; 40:663-677. [PMID: 33437112 PMCID: PMC7791332 DOI: 10.1007/s00338-020-02040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We analysed the patterns of genetic variability of eastern Mediterranean populations of the scleractinian coral Cladocora caespitosa, from the Aegean and Levantine seas, using 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci, 11 of which were newly characterized. The observed genetic pattern reflects a scenario of isolation by environment: F ST comparisons showed a higher degree of genetic differentiation between the two Cypriot populations that are separated by only 11 km than between these two Levantine populations and the Aegean population in Greece, which are separated by 1300 km. We hypothesize that local-scale oceanographic factors influenced the dispersal of planulae between the geographically close populations, playing a crucial role in the genetic structure of this coastal coral. Yet, despite being characterized as a species with limited dispersal and high self-recruitment, large-scale migration does eventually occur as first-generation migrants were identified between the most distant populations. In line with previous findings of reproductive plasticity in C. caespitosa, we also found localized differences in reproduction mode (sexual vs. asexual) within a geographically limited context. Several individuals were identified as clones, indicating the predominance of asexual reproduction in one of the Cypriot populations. We interpret this predominance either as a direct response to or as an indirect consequence of perturbations suffered by this C. caespitosa population. These perturbations are caused by unfavourable environmental conditions that threatened local survival, in particular water temperature changes and windstorm swells. Asexual reproduction may be a mechanism used by C. caespitosa to counteract mortality events and recolonize devastated areas, and likely accounts for the occasional high levels of clonality and low levels of genetic diversity. Local adaptations such as these should therefore be considered in conservation and management strategies to maintain and preserve the gene pool of this endangered species. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s00338-020-02040-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta López-Márquez
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Lozano-Martín
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Louis Hadjioannou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Iván Acevedo
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Templado
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Jimenez
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marco Taviani
- ISMAR-CNR, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
| | - Annie Machordom
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Becker DM, Silbiger NJ. Nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple facets of functionality in a tropical branching coral. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb225045. [PMID: 32943577 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.225045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, face increasing pressures from global and local anthropogenic stressors. Therefore, a better understanding of the ecological ramifications of warming and land-based inputs (e.g. sedimentation and nutrient loading) on coral reef ecosystems is necessary. In this study, we measured how a natural nutrient and sedimentation gradient affected multiple facets of coral functionality, including endosymbiont and coral host response variables, holobiont metabolic responses and percent cover of Pocillopora acuta colonies in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. We used thermal performance curves to quantify the relationship between metabolic rates and temperature along the environmental gradient. We found that algal endosymbiont percent nitrogen content, endosymbiont densities and total chlorophyll a content increased with nutrient input, while endosymbiont nitrogen content per cell decreased, likely representing competition among the algal endosymbionts. Nutrient and sediment loading decreased coral metabolic responses to thermal stress in terms of their thermal performance and metabolic rate processes. The acute thermal optimum for dark respiration decreased, along with the maximal performance for gross photosynthetic and calcification rates. Gross photosynthetic and calcification rates normalized to a reference temperature (26.8°C) decreased along the gradient. Lastly, percent cover of P. acuta colonies decreased by nearly two orders of magnitude along the nutrient gradient. These findings illustrate that nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple levels of coral functionality. Understanding how local-scale anthropogenic stressors influence the responses of corals to temperature can inform coral reef management, particularly in relation to the mediation of land-based inputs into coastal coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Becker
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA
| | - Nyssa J Silbiger
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA
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