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Mulla AJ, Denis V, Lin CH, Fong CL, Shiu JH, Nozawa Y. Natural coral recovery despite negative population growth. Ecology 2024; 105:e4368. [PMID: 39106878 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Demographic processes that ensure the recovery and resilience of marine populations are critical as climate change sends an increasing proportion on a trajectory of decline. Yet for some populations, recovery potential remains high. We conducted annual monitoring over 9 years (2012-2020) to assess the recovery of coral populations belonging to the genus Pocillopora. These populations experienced a catastrophic collapse following a severe typhoon in 2009. From the start of the monitoring period, high initial recruitment led to the establishment of a juvenile population that rapidly transitioned to sexually mature adults, which dominated the population within 6 years after the disturbance. As a result, coral cover increased from 1.1% to 20.2% during this time. To identify key demographic drivers of recovery and population growth rates (λ), we applied kernel-resampled integral projection models (IPMs), constructing eight successive models to examine annual change. IPMs were able to capture reproductive traits as key demographic drivers over the initial 3 years, while individual growth was a continuous key demographic driver throughout the entire monitoring period. IPMs further detected a pulse of reproductive output subsequent to two further Category 5 typhoon events during the monitoring period, exemplifying key mechanisms of resilience for coral populations impacted by disturbance. Despite rapid recovery, (i.e., increased coral cover, individual colony growth, low mortality), IPMs estimated predominantly negative values of λ, indicating a declining population. Indeed, while λ translates to a change in the number of individuals, the recovery of coral populations can also be driven by an increase in the size of surviving colonies. Our results illustrate that accumulating long-term data on historical dynamics and applying IPMs to extract demographic drivers are crucial for future predictions that are based on comprehensive and robust understandings of ecological change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz J Mulla
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University School, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Vianney Denis
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Hung Lin
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Fong
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University School, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ho Shiu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- General Research Service Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Yoko Nozawa
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University School, Taipei, Taiwan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
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2
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Mellin C, Brown S, Cantin N, Klein-Salas E, Mouillot D, Heron SF, Fordham DA. Cumulative risk of future bleaching for the world's coral reefs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn9660. [PMID: 38924396 PMCID: PMC11204209 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn9660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal patterns of future coral bleaching are uncertain, hampering global conservation efforts to protect coral reefs against climate change. Our analysis of daily projections of ocean warming establishes the severity, annual duration, and onset of severe bleaching risk for global coral reefs this century, pinpointing vital climatic refugia. We show that low-latitude coral regions are most vulnerable to thermal stress and will experience little reprieve from climate mitigation. By 2080, coral bleaching is likely to start on most reefs in spring, rather than late summer, with year-round bleaching risk anticipated to be high for some low-latitude reefs regardless of global efforts to mitigate harmful greenhouse gasses. By identifying Earth's reef regions that are at lowest risk of accelerated bleaching, our results will prioritize efforts to limit future loss of coral reef biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Mellin
- The Environment Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Stuart Brown
- The Environment Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Neal Cantin
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, IUF, Paris 75231, France
| | - Scott F. Heron
- Physics and Marine Geophysical Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Damien A. Fordham
- The Environment Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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3
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Liu C, Zhang Y, Botana MT, Fu Y, Huang L, Jiang L, Yu X, Luo Y, Huang H. The bioenergetics response of the coral Pocillopora damicornis to temperature changes during its reproduction stage. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106557. [PMID: 38823094 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106557] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction of reef-building corals is vital for coral reef ecosystem recovery. Corals allocate limited energy to growth and reproduction, when being under environmental disturbance, which ultimately shapes the community population dynamics. In the present study, energetic and physiological parameters of both parental colonies and larvae of the coral Pocillopora damicornis were measured during their reproduction stage under four temperatures; 28 °C (low-temperature acclimation, LA), 29 °C (control temperature, CT), 31 °C (high-temperature acclimation, HA), and 32 °C (heat stress, HS). The results showed temperature changes altered the larvae release timing and fecundity in P. damicornis. Parental colonies exposed to the LA treatment exhibited reduced investment in reproduction and released fewer larvae, while retaining more energy for their development. However, each larva acquired higher energy and symbiont densities enabling survival through longer planktonic periods before settlement. In contrast, parental colonies exposed to the HA treatment had increased investment for reproduction and larvae output, while per larva gained less energy to mitigate the threat of higher temperature. Furthermore, the energy allocation processes restructured fatty acids concentration and composition in both parental colonies and larvae as indicated by shifts in membrane fluidity under adaptable temperature changes. Notably, parental colonies from the HS treatment expended more energy in response to heat stress, resulting in adverse effects, especially after larval release. Our study expands the current knowledge on the energy allocation strategies of P. damicornis and how it is impacted by temperature. Parental colonies employed different energy allocation strategies under distinct temperature regimes to optimize their development and offspring success, but under heat stress, both were compromised. Lipid metabolism is essential for the success of coral reproduction and further understanding their response to heat stress can improve intervention strategies for coral reef conservation in warmer future oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyue Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch (HKB) of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Marina Tonetti Botana
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Yousi Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Lintao Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch (HKB) of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaolei Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, SCSIO, Sanya, China
| | - Hui Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, SCSIO, Sanya, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China.
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Morita M, Hanahara N, Teramoto MM, Tarigan AI. Conservation of Protein Kinase A Substrates in the Cnidarian Coral Spermatozoa Among Animals and Their Molecular Evolution. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:217-257. [PMID: 38662235 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10168-x] [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: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The coral Acropora spp., known for its reef-building abilities, is a simultaneous hermaphroditic broadcast spawning species. Acropora spp. release gametes into seawater, activating sperm motility. This activation is mediated by adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA). Notably, membrane-permeable cAMP (8-bromo-cAMP) promotes sperm motility activation of Acropora florida. While the signal transduction for PKA-dependent motility activation is highly conserved among animals, the downstream signaling of PKA remains unclear. In this study, we used mass spectrometry (MS) analyses to identify sperm proteins in the coral Acropora digitifera, as well as the serine/threonine residues of potential PKA substrates, and then, we investigated the conservation of these proteins from corals to vertebrates. We identified 148 sperm proteins of A. digitifera with typical PKA recognition motifs, namely RRXT and RRXS. We subsequently used ORTHOSCOPE to screen for orthologs encoding these 148 proteins from corals to vertebrates. Among the isolated orthologs, we identified positive selection in 48 protein-encoding genes from 18 Acropora spp. Subsequently, we compared the conservation rates of the PKA phosphorylation motif residues between the orthologs under positive and purifying selections. Notably, the serine residues of the orthologs under positive selection were more conserved. Therefore, adaptive evolution might have occurred in the orthologs of PKA substrate candidates from corals to vertebrates, accompanied by phosphorylation residue conservation. Collectively, our findings suggest that while PKA signal transduction, including substrates in sperm, may have been conserved, the substrates may have evolved to adapt to diverse fertilization conditions, such as synchronous broadcast spawning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Hanahara
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
- Okinawa Churahima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0206, Japan
| | - Mariko M Teramoto
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
| | - Ariyo Imanuel Tarigan
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
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Zhou S, Chen T, Fu ES, Zhou T, Shi L, Yan H. A microfluidic microalgae detection system for cellular physiological response based on an object detection algorithm. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2762-2773. [PMID: 38682283 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00941f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The composition of species and the physiological status of microalgal cells serve as significant indicators for monitoring marine environments. Symbiotic with corals, Symbiodiniaceae are more sensitive to the environmental response. However, current methods for evaluating microalgae tend to be population-based indicators that cannot be focused on single-cell level, ignoring potentially heterogeneous cells as well as cell state transitions. In this study, we proposed a microalgal cell detection method based on computer vision and microfluidics, which combined microscopic image processing, microfluidic chip and convolutional neural network to achieve label-free, sheathless, automated and high-throughput microalgae identification and cell state assessment. By optimizing the data import, training process and model architecture, we solved the problem of identifying tiny objects at the micron scale, and the optimized model was able to perform the tasks of cell multi-classification and physiological state assessment with more than 95% mean average precision. We discovered a novel transition state and explored the thermal sensitivity of three clades of Symbiodiniaceae, and discovered the phenomenon of cellular heat shock at high temperatures. The evolution of the physiological state of Symbiodiniaceae cells is very important for directional cell evolution and early warning of coral ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizheng Zhou
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Tianhui Chen
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Edgar S Fu
- Graduate School of Computing and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Teng Zhou
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Liuyong Shi
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hong Yan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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6
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Qin B, Yu K, Fu Y, Zhou Y, Wu Y, Zhang W, Chen X. Responses in reef-building corals to wildfire emissions: Heterotrophic plasticity and calcification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171271. [PMID: 38428592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171271] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Extreme wildfire events are on the rise globally, and although substantial wildfire emissions may find their way into the ocean, their impact on coral reefs remains uncertain. In a five-week laboratory experiment, we observed a significant reduction in photosynthesis in coral symbionts (Porites lutea) when exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfires. At low PM2.5 level (2 mg L-1), the changes in δ13C and δ15N values in the host and symbiotic algae suggest reduced autotrophy and the utilization of wildfire particulates as a source of heterotrophic nutrients. This adaptive strategy, characterized by an increase in heterotrophy, sustained some aspects of coral growth (total biomass, proteins and lipids) under wildfire stress. Nevertheless, at high PM2.5 level (5 mg L-1), both autotrophy and heterotrophy significantly decreased, resulting in an imbalanced coral-algal nutritional relationship. These changes were related to light attenuation in seawater and particulate accumulation on the coral surface during PM2.5 deposition, ultimately rendering the coral growth unsustainable. Further, the calcification rates decreased by 1.5 to 1.85 times under both low and high levels of PM2.5, primarily affected by photosynthetic autotrophy rather than heterotrophy. Our study highlights a constrained heterotrophic plasticity of corals under wildfire stress. This limitation may restrict wildfire emissions as an alternative nutrient source to support coral growth and calcification, especially when oceanic food availability or autotrophy declines, as seen during bleaching induced by the warming ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo 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 530004, China; School of Resources, Environment and Materials, 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.
| | - Yichen Fu
- 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
| | - Yu Zhou
- 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
| | - Yanliu Wu
- 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
| | - Wenqian 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
| | - Xiaoyan 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 530004, China.
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7
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Dilworth J, Million WC, Ruggeri M, Hall ER, Dungan AM, Muller EM, Kenkel CD. Synergistic response to climate stressors in coral is associated with genotypic variation in baseline expression. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232447. [PMID: 38531406 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2447] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As environments are rapidly reshaped due to climate change, phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in the ability of organisms to persist and is considered an especially important acclimatization mechanism for long-lived sessile organisms such as reef-building corals. Often, this ability of a single genotype to display multiple phenotypes depending on the environment is modulated by changes in gene expression, which can vary in response to environmental changes via two mechanisms: baseline expression and expression plasticity. We used transcriptome-wide expression profiling of eleven genotypes of common-gardened Acropora cervicornis to explore genotypic variation in the expression response to thermal and acidification stress, both individually and in combination. We show that the combination of these two stressors elicits a synergistic gene expression response, and that both baseline expression and expression plasticity in response to stress show genotypic variation. Additionally, we demonstrate that frontloading of a large module of coexpressed genes is associated with greater retention of algal symbionts under combined stress. These results illustrate that variation in the gene expression response of individuals to climate change stressors can persist even when individuals have shared environmental histories, affecting their performance under future climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Ruggeri
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Sommer B, Hodge JM, Lachs L, Cant J, Pandolfi JM, Beger M. Decadal demographic shifts and size-dependent disturbance responses of corals in a subtropical warming hotspot. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6327. [PMID: 38491152 PMCID: PMC10943097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56890-w] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-term demographic studies at biogeographic transition zones can elucidate how body size mediates disturbance responses. Focusing on subtropical reefs in eastern Australia, we examine trends in the size-structure of corals with contrasting life-histories and zoogeographies surrounding the 2016 coral bleaching event (2010-2019) to determine their resilience and recovery capacity. We document demographic shifts, with disproportionate declines in the number of small corals and long-term persistence of larger corals. The incidence of bleaching (Pocillopora, Turbinaria) and partial mortality (Acropora, Pocillopora) increased with coral size, and bleached corals had greater risk of partial mortality. While endemic Pocillopora experienced marked declines, decadal stability of Turbinaria despite bleaching, coupled with abundance increase and bleaching resistance in Acropora indicate remarkable resilience of these taxa in the subtropics. Declines in the number of small corals and variable associations with environmental drivers indicate bottlenecks to recovery mediated by inhibitory effects of thermal extremes for Pocillopora (heat stress) and Acropora (heat and cold stress), and stimulatory effects of chlorophyll-a for Turbinaria. Although our study reveals signs of resilience, it foreshadows the vulnerability of subtropical corals to changing disturbance regimes that include marine heatwaves. Disparity in population dynamics suggest that subtropical reefs are ecologically distinct from tropical coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Sommer
- School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Jessica M Hodge
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Maldives Underwater Initiative, Six Senses Laamu, Olhuveli Island, Laamu Atoll, Republic of Maldives
| | - Liam Lachs
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James Cant
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, Scotland, UK
| | - John M Pandolfi
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Maria Beger
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Sparagon WJ, Arts MGI, Quinlan ZA, Wegley Kelly L, Koester I, Comstock J, Bullington JA, Carlson CA, Dorrestein PC, Aluwihare LI, Haas AF, Nelson CE. Coral thermal stress and bleaching enrich and restructure reef microbial communities via altered organic matter exudation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:160. [PMID: 38351328 PMCID: PMC10864316 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05730-0] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Coral bleaching is a well-documented and increasingly widespread phenomenon in reefs across the globe, yet there has been relatively little research on the implications for reef water column microbiology and biogeochemistry. A mesocosm heating experiment and bottle incubation compared how unbleached and bleached corals alter dissolved organic matter (DOM) exudation in response to thermal stress and subsequent effects on microbial growth and community structure in the water column. Thermal stress of healthy corals tripled DOM flux relative to ambient corals. DOM exudates from stressed corals (heated and/or previously bleached) were compositionally distinct from healthy corals and significantly increased growth of bacterioplankton, enriching copiotrophs and putative pathogens. Together these results demonstrate how the impacts of both short-term thermal stress and long-term bleaching may extend into the water column, with altered coral DOM exudation driving microbial feedbacks that influence how coral reefs respond to and recover from mass bleaching events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley J Sparagon
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| | - Milou G I Arts
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Zachary A Quinlan
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
- San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
| | - Linda Wegley Kelly
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
- San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
| | - Irina Koester
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Jacqueline Comstock
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, The Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, USA
| | - Jessica A Bullington
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Craig A Carlson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, The Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, USA
| | | | - Lihini I Aluwihare
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Andreas F Haas
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Texel, The Netherlands
- San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
| | - Craig E Nelson
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
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10
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Sayco SLG, Alabort Pomares A, Cabaitan PC, Kurihara H. Reproductive consequences of thermal stress-induced bleaching in the giant clam Tridacna crocea. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 193:106280. [PMID: 38043168 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106280] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is a fundamental process necessary for maintaining a population. However, reproductive processes are sensitive to thermal stress which can cause bleaching in reef organisms such as corals and giant clams. Here we examined the phototrophic and physiological performances, particularly the reproductive processes, in Tridacna crocea during bleaching and recovery periods. Giant clam individuals were induced to bleach at heated treatment (32-33 °C) for 16 days and allowed to recover at 28-29 °C for 35 days. The control giant clams were kept at 28-29 °C. Heated giant clams showed lower phototrophic performances (Fv/Fm and photosynthesis), but their respiration and survival were similar to control giant clams. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was lower, and the proportion of regressive eggs (i.e., eggs that are no longer viable) was higher in heated than in control giant clams. However, heated giant clams were able to maintain their egg size. In addition, T. crocea showed recovery of phototrophic potential and color of mantle but not of their reproductive output after a month of recovery. Our results indicate that bleaching reduces the reproductive output in giant clams by disrupting their gametogenesis, such as through egg resorption, but giant clams showed potential reproductive strategy, through maintenance of their egg size, to ensure the quality of their offspring. Furthermore, one month of recovery is not sufficient to restore the normal reproductive processes in T. crocea, which may delay their population recovery after a bleaching disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry Lyn G Sayco
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Ana Alabort Pomares
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan; Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patrick C Cabaitan
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
| | - Haruko Kurihara
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan.
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11
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Zhang Y, Gantt SE, Keister EF, Elder H, Kolodziej G, Aguilar C, Studivan MS, Williams DE, Kemp DW, Manzello DP, Enochs IC, Kenkel CD. Performance of Orbicella faveolata larval cohorts does not align with previously observed thermal tolerance of adult source populations. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:6591-6605. [PMID: 37846617 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16977] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Orbicella faveolata, commonly known as the mountainous star coral, is a dominant reef-building species in the Caribbean, but populations have suffered sharp declines since the 1980s due to repeated bleaching and disease-driven mortality. Prior research has shown that inshore adult O. faveolata populations in the Florida Keys are able to maintain high coral cover and recover from bleaching faster than their offshore counterparts. However, whether this origin-specific variation in thermal resistance is heritable remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we produced purebred and hybrid larval crosses from O. faveolata gametes collected at two distinct reefs in the Upper Florida Keys, a nearshore site (Cheeca Rocks, CR) and an offshore site (Horseshoe Reef, HR), in two different years (2019, 2021). We then subjected these aposymbiotic larvae to severe (36°C) and moderate (32°C) heat challenges to quantify their thermal tolerance. Contrary to our expectation based on patterns of adult thermal tolerance, HR purebred larvae survived better and exhibited gene expression profiles that were less driven by stress response under elevated temperature compared to purebred CR and hybrid larvae. One potential explanation could be the compromised reproductive output of CR adult colonies due to repeated summer bleaching events in 2018 and 2019, as gametes originating from CR in 2019 contained less storage lipids than those from HR. These findings provide an important counter-example to the current selective breeding paradigm, that more tolerant parents will yield more tolerant offspring, and highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach when evaluating larval quality for conservation and restoration purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shelby E Gantt
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Elise F Keister
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Holland Elder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Graham Kolodziej
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, Florida, USA
- Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Catalina Aguilar
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, Florida, USA
- Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Michael S Studivan
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, Florida, USA
- Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dana E Williams
- Population and Ecosystem Monitoring Division, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dustin W Kemp
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Derek P Manzello
- Coral Reef Watch, Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ian C Enochs
- Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Carly D Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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12
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Monfared MA, Sheridan K, Dixon SP, Gledhill M, Le Berre T. Coral spawning patterns of Acropora across two Maldivian reef ecosystems. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16315. [PMID: 37927798 PMCID: PMC10621594 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16315] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns in coral reproductive biology at local and regional scales is crucial to elucidate our knowledge of characteristics that regulate populations and communities. The lack of published data on coral spawning patterns in the Maldives hinders our understanding of coral reproductive biology and limits our ability to assess shifts in reproductive phenology over time. Here we document baseline environmental cues, spawning patterns, exact timings and oocyte development of restored and wild Acropora, inhabiting shallow water reefs, across two Maldivian atolls. A total of 1,200 colonies were recorded spawning across the two sites between October 2021 and April 2023. These colonies represent 22 species of Acropora, with coral spawning observed over an extended period of eight months. This research details exact spawning times of multi-specific spawning, asynchronous spawning and 'split spawning' of Acropora, across multiple lunar phases; and highlights the need to consider restored colonies when discussing the sexual reproductive patterns of Maldivian Acropora in the future. Overall, corals spawned earlier in North Male Atoll compared with Baa Atoll. Earlier spawning events were significantly correlated with lower tide depths, wind speeds, daily precipitation and higher sea surface temperatures which helped explain inter-atoll, inter-annual, and intra-annual variations in spawning day. This study contributes to understanding sexual reproductive cycles of Acropora in the Maldives; knowledge that is vital for effective management of a critically endangered ecosystem in a changing climate.
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13
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Zhou Z, Tang J, Cao X, Wu C, Cai W, Lin S. High Heterotrophic Plasticity of Massive Coral Porites pukoensis Contributes to Its Tolerance to Bioaccumulated Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3391-3401. [PMID: 36800204 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Scleractinian corals have been observed to be capable of accumulating microplastics from reef environments; however, the tolerant mechanism is poorly known. Here, we examined the response of Porites pukoensis to microplastic pollution by analyzing algal symbiont density, energetic metabolism, and caspase3 activities (representing the apoptosis level) in the coral-Symbiodiniaceae association. The environments of three fringing reef regions along the south coast of Sanya City, Hainan Province of China, were polluted by microplastics (for example, microplastic concentrations in the seawater ranged from 3.3 to 46.6 particles L-1), resulting in microplastic accumulation in P. pukoensis (0.4-2.4 particles cm-2). The accumulation of microplastics was negatively correlated to algal symbiont density in the corals but not to caspase3 activities in the two symbiotic partners, demonstrating that P. pukoensis could tolerate accumulated microplastics despite the decrease of algal symbiont density. Furthermore, results from the carbon stable isotope and cellular energy allocation assay indicated that P. pukoensis obtained energy availability (mainly as lipid reserves) using the switch between heterotrophy and autotrophy to maintain energy balance and cope with accumulated microplastics. Collectively, P. pukoensis achieved tolerance to microplastic pollution by maintaining energy availability, which was largely attributed to its high heterotrophic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jia Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xiaocong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chuanliang Wu
- Sanya Institute of Coral Reef Ecosystem, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Wenqi Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Senjie Lin
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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14
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Symbiotic dinoflagellates divert energy away from mutualism during coral bleaching recovery. Symbiosis 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-023-00901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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15
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Singh T, Sakai K, Ishida-Castañeda J, Iguchi A. Short-term improvement of heat tolerance in naturally growing Acropora corals in Okinawa. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14629. [PMID: 36627918 PMCID: PMC9826613 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14629] [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: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass bleaching and subsequent mortality of reef corals by heat stress has increased globally since the late 20th century, due to global warming. Some experimental studies have reported that corals may increase heat tolerance for short periods, but only a few such studies have monitored naturally-growing colonies. Therefore, we monitored the survival, growth, and bleaching status of Acropora corals in fixed plots by distinguishing individual colonies on a heat-sensitive reef flat in Okinawa, Japan. The level of heat stress, assessed by the modified version of degree heating week duration in July and August, when the seawater temperature was the highest, was minimally but significantly higher in 2017 than in 2016; however, the same colonies exhibited less bleaching and mortality in 2017 than in 2016. Another study conducted at the same site showed that the dominant unicellular endosymbiotic algal species did not change before and after the 2016 bleaching, indicating that shifting and switching of the Symbiodiniaceae community did not contribute to improved heat tolerance. Colonies that suffered from partial mortality in 2016 were completely bleached at higher rates in 2017 than those without partial mortality in 2016. The present results suggest that either genetic or epigenetic changes in coral hosts and/or algal symbionts, or the shifting or switching of microbes other than endosymbionts, may have improved coral holobiont heat tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Singh
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Sakai
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jun Ishida-Castañeda
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Akira Iguchi
- Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan,Research Laboratory on Environmentally-Conscious Developments and Technologies [E-code], National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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16
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Brown KT, Barott KL. The Costs and Benefits of Environmental Memory for Reef-Building Corals Coping with Recurring Marine Heatwaves. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1748-1755. [PMID: 35661887 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves are occurring more frequently as climate change intensifies, resulting in global mass coral bleaching events several times per decade. Despite the time between marine heatwaves decreasing, there is evidence that reef-building corals can develop increased bleaching resistance across repetitive marine heatwaves. This phenomenon of acclimatization via environmental memory may be an important strategy to ensure coral persistence; however, we still understand very little about the apparent acclimatization or, conversely, sensitization (i.e., stress accumulation or weakening) of reef-building corals to consecutive heatwaves and its implications for the trajectory and resilience of coral reefs. Here, we highlight that not only will some corals become stress hardened via marine heatwaves, but many other individuals will suffer sensitization during repeat heatwaves that further exacerbates their stress response during repeat events and depresses fitness. Under current and predicted climate change, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the acclimatization vs. sensitization trajectories of different species and individuals on the reef, as well as identify whether changes in bleaching susceptibility relates to physiological acclimatization, trade-offs with other biological processes, and ultimately coral persistence in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen T Brown
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia , QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Katie L Barott
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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17
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Walker NS, Cornwell BH, Nestor V, Armstrong KC, Golbuu Y, Palumbi SR. Persistence of phenotypic responses to short-term heat stress in the tabletop coral Acropora hyacinthus. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269206. [PMID: 36084033 PMCID: PMC9462741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Widespread mapping of coral thermal resilience is essential for developing effective management strategies and requires replicable and rapid multi-location assays of heat resistance and recovery. One- or two-day short-term heat stress experiments have been previously employed to assess heat resistance, followed by single assays of bleaching condition. We tested the reliability of short-term heat stress resistance, and linked resistance and recovery assays, by monitoring the phenotypic response of fragments from 101 Acropora hyacinthus colonies located in Palau (Micronesia) to short-term heat stress. Following short-term heat stress, bleaching and mortality were recorded after 16 hours, daily for seven days, and after one and two months of recovery. To follow corals over time, we utilized a qualitative, non-destructive visual bleaching score metric that correlated with standard symbiont retention assays. The bleaching state of coral fragments 16 hours post-heat stress was highly indicative of their state over the next 7 days, suggesting that symbiont population sizes within corals may quickly stabilize post-heat stress. Bleaching 16 hours post-heat stress predicted likelihood of mortality over the subsequent 3–5 days, after which there was little additional mortality. Together, bleaching and mortality suggested that rapid assays of the phenotypic response following short-term heat stress were good metrics of the total heat treatment effect. Additionally, our data confirm geographic patterns of intraspecific variation in Palau and show that bleaching severity among colonies was highly correlated with mortality over the first week post-stress. We found high survival (98%) and visible recovery (100%) two months after heat stress among coral fragments that survived the first week post-stress. These findings help simplify rapid, widespread surveys of heat sensitivity in Acropora hyacinthus by showing that standardized short-term experiments can be confidently assayed after 16 hours, and that bleaching sensitivity may be linked to subsequent survival using experimental assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nia S. Walker
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brendan H. Cornwell
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
| | | | - Katrina C. Armstrong
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
| | | | - Stephen R. Palumbi
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California, United States of America
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18
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Bollati E, Lyndby NH, D'Angelo C, Kühl M, Wiedenmann J, Wangpraseurt D. Green fluorescent protein-like pigments optimize the internal light environment in symbiotic reef building corals. eLife 2022; 11:73521. [PMID: 35801683 PMCID: PMC9342951 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigments homologous to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) have been proposed to fine-tune the internal light microclimate of corals, facilitating photoacclimation of photosynthetic coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) to life in different reef habitats and environmental conditions. However, direct measurements of the in vivo light conditions inside the coral tissue supporting this conclusion are lacking. Here, we quantified the intra-tissue spectral light environment of corals expressing GFP-like proteins from widely different light regimes. We focus on: (1) photoconvertible red fluorescent proteins (pcRFPs), thought to enhance photosynthesis in mesophotic habitats via wavelength conversion, and (2) chromoproteins (CPs), which provide photoprotection to the symbionts in shallow water via light absorption. Optical microsensor measurements indicated that both pigment groups strongly alter the coral intra-tissue light environment. Estimates derived from light spectra measured in pcRFP-containing corals showed that fluorescence emission can contribute to >50% of orange-red light available to the photosynthetic symbionts at mesophotic depths. We further show that upregulation of pink CPs in shallow-water corals during bleaching leads to a reduction of orange light by 10–20% compared to low-CP tissue. Thus, screening by CPs has an important role in mitigating the light-enhancing effect of coral tissue scattering and skeletal reflection during bleaching. Our results provide the first experimental quantification of the importance of GFP-like proteins in fine-tuning the light microclimate of corals during photoacclimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bollati
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Niclas H Lyndby
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cecilia D'Angelo
- Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Kühl
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Jörg Wiedenmann
- Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Wangpraseurt
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
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19
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van Woesik R, Shlesinger T, Grottoli AG, Toonen RJ, Vega Thurber R, Warner ME, Marie Hulver A, Chapron L, McLachlan RH, Albright R, Crandall E, DeCarlo TM, Donovan MK, Eirin‐Lopez J, Harrison HB, Heron SF, Huang D, Humanes A, Krueger T, Madin JS, Manzello D, McManus LC, Matz M, Muller EM, Rodriguez‐Lanetty M, Vega‐Rodriguez M, Voolstra CR, Zaneveld J. Coral-bleaching responses to climate change across biological scales. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:4229-4250. [PMID: 35475552 PMCID: PMC9545801 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem. On coral reefs, mass coral bleaching and mortality have emerged as ubiquitous responses to ocean warming, yet one of the greatest challenges of this epiphenomenon is linking information across scientific disciplines and spatial and temporal scales. Here we review some of the seminal and recent coral-bleaching discoveries from an ecological, physiological, and molecular perspective. We also evaluate which data and processes can improve predictive models and provide a conceptual framework that integrates measurements across biological scales. Taking an integrative approach across biological and spatial scales, using for example hierarchical models to estimate major coral-reef processes, will not only rapidly advance coral-reef science but will also provide necessary information to guide decision-making and conservation efforts. To conserve reefs, we encourage implementing mesoscale sanctuaries (thousands of km2 ) that transcend national boundaries. Such networks of protected reefs will provide reef connectivity, through larval dispersal that transverse thermal environments, and genotypic repositories that may become essential units of selection for environmentally diverse locations. Together, multinational networks may be the best chance corals have to persist through climate change, while humanity struggles to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert van Woesik
- Institute for Global EcologyFlorida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneFloridaUSA
| | - Tom Shlesinger
- Institute for Global EcologyFlorida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneFloridaUSA
| | | | - Rob J. Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | | | - Mark E. Warner
- School of Marine Science and PolicyUniversity of DelawareLewesDelawareUSA
| | - Ann Marie Hulver
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Leila Chapron
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Rowan H. McLachlan
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of MicrobiologyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | - Eric Crandall
- Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Mary K. Donovan
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science and School of Geographical Sciences and Urban PlanningArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Jose Eirin‐Lopez
- Institute of EnvironmentFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Hugo B. Harrison
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Scott F. Heron
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Physics and Marine Geophysical LaboratoryJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Adriana Humanes
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas Krueger
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Joshua S. Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Derek Manzello
- Center for Satellite Applications and ResearchSatellite Oceanography & Climate DivisionNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Lisa C. McManus
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, KāneʻoheUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Mikhail Matz
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jesse Zaneveld
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of WashingtonBothellWashingtonUSA
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