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Beck KK, Schmidt-Grieb GM, Kayser AS, Wendels J, Kler Lago A, Meyer S, Laudien J, Häussermann V, Richter C, Wall M. Cold-water coral energy reserves and calcification in contrasting fjord environments. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5649. [PMID: 38454106 PMCID: PMC10920780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56280-2] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between energy reserves of cold-water corals (CWCs) and their physiological performance remains largely unknown. In addition, it is poorly understood how the energy allocation to different metabolic processes might change with projected decreasing food supply to the deep sea in the future. This study explores the temporal and spatial variations of total energy reserves (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) of the CWC Desmophyllum dianthus and their correlation with its calcification rate. We took advantage of distinct horizontal and vertical physico-chemical gradients in Comau Fjord (Chile) and examined the changes in energy reserves over one year in an in situ reciprocal transplantation experiment (20 m vs. 300 m and fjord head vs. mouth). Total energy reserves correlated positively with calcification rates. The fast-growing deep corals had higher and less variable energy reserves, while the slower-growing shallow corals showed pronounced seasonal changes in energy reserves. Novel deep corals (transplanted from shallow) were able to quickly increase both their calcification rates and energy reserves to similar levels as native deep corals. Our study shows the importance of energy reserves in sustaining CWC growth in spite of aragonite undersaturated conditions (deep corals) in the present, and potentially also future ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina K Beck
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany.
- University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | | | - Antonia S Kayser
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Janine Wendels
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kler Lago
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
- University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Meyer
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jürgen Laudien
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Vreni Häussermann
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Fundación San Ignacio del Huinay, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Claudio Richter
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
- University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Marlene Wall
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
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2
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Fähse M, Orejas C, Titschack J, Försterra G, Richter C, Laudien J. Ecophysiological and behavioural response of juveniles of the Chilean cold-water coral Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) huinayensis to increasing sediment loads. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21538. [PMID: 38057359 PMCID: PMC10700329 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47116-6] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chilean Patagonia is a hotspot of biodiversity, harbouring cold-water corals (CWCs) that populate steep walls and overhangs of fjords and channels. Through anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, roadworks, aquafarming and increased landslide frequency, sediment input increases in the fjord region. While the absence of CWCs on moderately steep slopes has been suggested to reflect high vulnerability to sedimentation, experimental evidence has been lacking. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of CWCs to sediment stress, using juvenile Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) huinayensis as a model. A 12-week aquarium experiment was conducted with three sediment loads: the average natural sediment concentration in Comau Fjord, 100- and 1000-fold higher sediment levels, expected from gravel road use and coastal erosion. Changes in coral mass and calyx dimensions, polyp expansion, tissue retraction and respiration were measured. For CWCs exposed to two and three order of magnitude higher sediment concentrations, 32% and 80% of the animals experienced a decrease in tissue cover, respectively, along with a decrease in respiration rate of 34% and 66%. Under the highest concentration corals showed reduced polyp expansion and a significantly reduced growth of ~ 95% compared to corals at natural concentration. The results show that C. huinayensis is affected by high sediment loads. As human activities that increase sedimentation steadily intensify, coastal planners need to consider detrimental effects on CWCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Fähse
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Covadonga Orejas
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón (IEO, CSIC), Avenida Príncipe de Asturias 70 Bis, 33212, Gijón, Spain
- Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg - Institute for Advanced Study (HWK), Lehmkuhlenbusch 4, 27753, Delmenhorst, Germany
| | - Jürgen Titschack
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Senckenberg Am Meer, Marine Research Department, Südstrand 40, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Günter Försterra
- Huinay Scientific Field Station, Casilla 462, Puerto Montt, Chile
- Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudio Richter
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Universität Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Laudien
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany.
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3
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Beck KK, Nierste J, Schmidt-Grieb GM, Lüdtke E, Naab C, Held C, Nehrke G, Steinhoefel G, Laudien J, Richter C, Wall M. Ontogenetic differences in the response of the cold-water coral Caryophyllia huinayensis to ocean acidification, warming and food availability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165565. [PMID: 37495133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Cold-water corals (CWCs) are considered vulnerable to environmental changes. However, previous studies have focused on adult CWCs and mainly investigated the short-term effects of single stressors. So far, the effects of environmental changes on different CWC life stages are unknown, both for single and multiple stressors and over long time periods. Therefore, we conducted a six-month aquarium experiment with three life stages of Caryophyllia huinayensis to study their physiological response (survival, somatic growth, calcification and respiration) to the interactive effects of aragonite saturation (0.8 and 2.5), temperature (11 and 15 °C) and food availability (8 and 87 μg C L-1). The response clearly differed between life stages and measured traits. Elevated temperature and reduced feeding had the greatest effects, pushing the corals to their physiological limits. Highest mortality was observed in adult corals, while calcification rates decreased the most in juveniles. We observed a three-month delay in response, presumably because energy reserves declined, suggesting that short-term experiments overestimate coral resilience. Elevated summer temperatures and reduced food supply are likely to have the greatest impact on live CWCs in the future, leading to reduced coral growth and population shifts due to delayed juvenile maturation and high adult mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina K Beck
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Jan Nierste
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Esther Lüdtke
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Christoph Naab
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Held
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Gernot Nehrke
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Grit Steinhoefel
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jürgen Laudien
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Claudio Richter
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Marlene Wall
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
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Bilan M, Gori A, Grinyó J, Biel-Cabanelas M, Puigcerver-Segarra X, Santín A, Piraino S, Rossi S, Puig P. Vulnerability of six cold-water corals to sediment resuspension from bottom trawling fishing. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115423. [PMID: 37862847 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115423] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Bottom trawling can significantly affect benthic communities, directly through immediate removal of sessile organisms and indirectly through sediment resuspension. Submarine canyons, often surrounded by fishing grounds, are important habitats for cold-water corals (CWC). Vulnerability of CWCs to increased suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is key to understanding the severity of bottom trawling effects on those communities. Here we show survival, growth, and physiological response of six CWCs from a Mediterranean submarine canyon (Dendrophyllia cornigera, Desmophyllum dianthus, Desmophyllum pertusum, Madrepora oculata, Leiopathes glaberrima and Muriceides lepida), exposed to a long-term, aquarium-based sedimentary disturbance experiment. Compared to cup coral and octocoral, which did not exhibit symptoms of distress, our data indicate that colonial scleractinian corals and black coral, which experienced substantial polyp mortality in enhanced SSC treatments, are more vulnerable. Indirect impact of bottom trawling could thus contribute to structural simplification of CWC communities posing an additional stressor alongside with global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Bilan
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Andrea Gori
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Grinyó
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 53, 1790, AB, Den Burg, the Netherlands
| | - Marina Biel-Cabanelas
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xènia Puigcerver-Segarra
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreu Santín
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma 00196, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma 00196, Italy; Instituto de Ciências do Mar, LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Pere Puig
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Heran T, Laudien J, Waller RG, Häussermann V, Försterra G, González HE, Richter C. Life cycle of the cold-water coral Caryophyllia huinayensis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2593. [PMID: 36788320 PMCID: PMC9929098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29620-x] [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: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the biology of cold-water corals (CWCs), let alone the reproduction and early life stages of these important deep-sea foundation species. Through a three-year aquarium experiment, we described the reproductive mode, larval release periodicity, planktonic stage, larval histology, metamorphosis and post-larval development of the solitary scleractinian CWC Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) huinayensis collected in Comau Fjord, Chilean Patagonia. We found that C. huinayensis is a brooder releasing 78.4 ± 65.9 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) planula larvae throughout the year, a possible adaptation to low seasonality. Planulae had a length of 905 ± 114 µm and showed a well-developed gastrovascular system. After 8 ± 9.3 days (d), the larvae settled, underwent metamorphosis and developed the first set of tentacles after 2 ± 1.5 d. Skeletogenesis, zooplankton feeding and initiation of the fourth set of tentacles started 5 ± 2.1 d later, 21 ± 12.9 d, and 895 ± 45.9 d after settlement, respectively. Our study shows that the ontogenetic timing of C. huinayensis is comparable to that of some tropical corals, despite lacking zooxanthellae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Heran
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany.
- University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
- Fundación San Ignacio del Huinay, Casilla 462, Puerto Montt, Chile.
| | - Jürgen Laudien
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Rhian G Waller
- Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, 452 96, Strömstad, Sweden
| | - Verena Häussermann
- Fundación San Ignacio del Huinay, Casilla 462, Puerto Montt, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la naturaleza, Escuela de Ingeniería en Gestión de Expediciones y Ecoturismo, Universidad San Sebastián, Lago Panguipulli, 1390, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Günter Försterra
- Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Avda. Brasil, 2950, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Humberto E González
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Research Center: Dynamics of High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (FONDAP-IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile
| | - Claudio Richter
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
- University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
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