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Yu XL, Liu CY, Jiang L, Huang LT, Luo Y, Zhang P, Zhang YY, Liu S, Huang H. Local adaptation of trophic strategy determined the tolerance of coral Galaxea fascicularis to environmental fluctuations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173694. [PMID: 38852868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173694] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The escalation of global change has resulted in heightened frequencies and intensities of environmental fluctuations within coral reef ecosystems. Corals originating from marginal reefs have potentially enhanced their adaptive capabilities in response to these environmental variations through processes of local adaptation. However, the intricate mechanisms driving this phenomenon remain a subject of limited investigation. This study aimed to investigate how corals in Luhuitou reef, a representative relatively high-latitude reef in China, adapt to seasonal fluctuations in seawater temperature and light availability. We conducted a 190-day plantation experiment with the widespread species, Galaxea fascicularis, in Luhuitou local, and from Meiji reef, a typical offshore tropical reef, to Luhuitou as comparison. Drawing upon insights from physiological adaptations, we focused on fatty acid (FA) profiles to unravel the trophic strategies of G. fascicularis to cope with environmental fluctuations from two origins. Our main findings are threefold: 1) Native corals exhibited a stronger physiological resilience compared to those transplanted from Meiji. 2) Corals from both origins consumed large quantities of energy reserves in winter, during which FA profiles of local corals altered, while the change of FA profiles of corals from Meiji was probably due to the excessive consumption of saturated fatty acid (SFA). 3) The better resilience of native corals is related to high levels of functional polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), while insufficient nutrient reserves, possibly due to weak heterotrophic ability, result in the obstruction of the synthesis pathway of PUFA for corals from Meiji, leading to their intolerance to environmental changes. Consequently, we suggest that the tolerance of G. fascicularis to environmental fluctuations is determined by their local adapted trophic strategies. Furthermore, our findings underscore the notion that the rapid adaptation of relatively high-latitude corals to seasonal environmental fluctuations might not be readily attainable for their tropical counterparts within a brief timeframe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lei 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Cheng-Yue 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Lin-Tao 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Pan 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu-Yang 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Sheng 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, 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 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
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2
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Williams A. Multiomics data integration, limitations, and prospects to reveal the metabolic activity of the coral holobiont. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae058. [PMID: 38653719 PMCID: PMC11067971 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since their radiation in the Middle Triassic period ∼240 million years ago, stony corals have survived past climate fluctuations and five mass extinctions. Their long-term survival underscores the inherent resilience of corals, particularly when considering the nutrient-poor marine environments in which they have thrived. However, coral bleaching has emerged as a global threat to coral survival, requiring rapid advancements in coral research to understand holobiont stress responses and allow for interventions before extensive bleaching occurs. This review encompasses the potential, as well as the limits, of multiomics data applications when applied to the coral holobiont. Synopses for how different omics tools have been applied to date and their current restrictions are discussed, in addition to ways these restrictions may be overcome, such as recruiting new technology to studies, utilizing novel bioinformatics approaches, and generally integrating omics data. Lastly, this review presents considerations for the design of holobiont multiomics studies to support lab-to-field advancements of coral stress marker monitoring systems. Although much of the bleaching mechanism has eluded investigation to date, multiomic studies have already produced key findings regarding the holobiont's stress response, and have the potential to advance the field further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Williams
- Microbial Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, 76 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 76 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
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3
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Hackerott S, Virdis F, Flood PJ, Souto DG, Paez W, Eirin-Lopez JM. Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic variation in two Caribbean Acropora corals. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4814-4828. [PMID: 37454286 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The plastic ability for a range of phenotypes to be exhibited by the same genotype allows organisms to respond to environmental variation and may modulate fitness in novel environments. Differing capacities for phenotypic plasticity within a population, apparent as genotype by environment interactions (GxE), can therefore have both ecological and evolutionary implications. Epigenetic gene regulation alters gene function in response to environmental cues without changes to the underlying genetic sequence and likely mediates phenotypic variation. DNA methylation is currently the most well described epigenetic mechanism and is related to transcriptional homeostasis in invertebrates. However, evidence quantitatively linking variation in DNA methylation with that of phenotype is lacking in some taxa, including reef-building corals. In this study, spatial and seasonal environmental variation in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands was utilized to assess relationships between physiology and DNA methylation profiles within genetic clones across different genotypes of Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata corals. The physiology of both species was highly influenced by environmental variation compared to the effect of genotype. GxE effects on phenotype were only apparent in A. cervicornis. DNA methylation in both species differed between genotypes and seasons and epigenetic variation was significantly related to coral physiological metrics. Furthermore, plastic shifts in physiology across seasons were significantly positively correlated with shifts in DNA methylation profiles in both species. These results highlight the dynamic influence of environmental conditions and genetic constraints on the physiology of two important Caribbean coral species. Additionally, this study provides quantitative support for the role of epigenetic DNA methylation in mediating phenotypic plasticity in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Hackerott
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Francesca Virdis
- Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands
| | - Peter J Flood
- Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Garcia Souto
- Genomes and Disease, Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Wendy Paez
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jose M Eirin-Lopez
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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de Souza MR, Caruso C, Ruiz-Jones L, Drury C, Gates RD, Toonen RJ. Importance of depth and temperature variability as drivers of coral symbiont composition despite a mass bleaching event. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8957. [PMID: 37268692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35425-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are iconic examples of climate change impacts because climate-induced heat stress causes the breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis leading to a spectacular loss of color, termed 'coral bleaching'. To examine the fine-scale dynamics of this process, we re-sampled 600 individually marked Montipora capitata colonies from across Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i and compared the algal symbiont composition before and after the 2019 bleaching event. The relative proportion of the heat-tolerant symbiont Durusdinium in corals increased in most parts of the bay following the bleaching event. Despite this widespread increase in abundance of Durusdinium, the overall algal symbiont community composition was largely unchanged, and hydrodynamically defined regions of the bay retained their distinct pre-bleaching compositions. We explain ~ 21% of the total variation, of which depth and temperature variability were the most significant environmental drivers of Symbiodiniaceae community composition by site regardless of bleaching intensity or change in relative proportion of Durusdinium. We hypothesize that the plasticity of symbiont composition in corals may be constrained to adaptively match the long-term environmental conditions surrounding the holobiont, despite an individual coral's stress and bleaching response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rocha de Souza
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA.
| | - Carlo Caruso
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Lupita Ruiz-Jones
- Chaminade University of Honolulu, 3140 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI, 96816, USA
| | - Crawford Drury
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Ruth D Gates
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Robert J Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
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5
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Hidden heatwaves and severe coral bleaching linked to mesoscale eddies and thermocline dynamics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:25. [PMID: 36609386 PMCID: PMC9822911 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35550-5] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) that are increasingly impacting ocean ecosystems, including vulnerable coral reefs, has primarily been assessed using remotely sensed sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), without information relevant to heating across ecosystem depths. Here, using a rare combination of SST, high-resolution in-situ temperatures, and sea level anomalies observed over 15 years near Moorea, French Polynesia, we document subsurface MHWs that have been paradoxical in comparison to SST metrics and associated with unexpected coral bleaching across depths. Variations in the depth range and severity of MHWs was driven by mesoscale (10s to 100s of km) eddies that altered sea levels and thermocline depths and decreased (2007, 2017 and 2019) or increased (2012, 2015, 2016) internal-wave cooling. Pronounced eddy-induced reductions in internal waves during early 2019 contributed to a prolonged subsurface MHW and unexpectedly severe coral bleaching, with subsequent mortality offsetting almost a decade of coral recovery. Variability in mesoscale eddy fields, and thus thermocline depths, is expected to increase with climate change, which, along with strengthening and deepening stratification, could increase the occurrence of subsurface MHWs over ecosystems historically insulated from surface ocean heating by the cooling effects of internal waves.
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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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7
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Keshavmurthy S, Chen TR, Liu PJ, Wang JT, Chen CA. Learning from the past is not enough to survive present and future bleaching threshold temperatures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158379. [PMID: 36055494 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, the frequency of mass coral bleaching events has increased due to seawater temperature anomalies persisting for longer periods. Coral survival from temperature anomalies has been based on how each species in each location responds to stress, which is unique to individual species and may be due to the way stressful experiences accumulate through time in the form of ecological and physiological memory. A deeper understanding of ecological and physiological memory in corals is necessary to understand their survival strategies into the future. Laboratory experiments can help us simulate seawater temperatures experienced by corals in the past and compare their responses to those of the present and future. In this study, we sampled corals with different life history traits from one location perturbed by seawater temperature incursions (variable site) and from a second, relatively undisturbed location (stable site). We sampled across two seasons to observe the responses to bleaching threshold temperatures in the past (1998-29 °C), present (2018-31 °C), and future (2050-33 °C). Corals were healthy at 29 °C and 31 °C, but a fast-growing, temperature-susceptible coral species experienced high mortality at 33 °C compared to a slow-growing, temperature-resistant coral species. Moreover, corals from the variable site and during the spring season fared better under temperature stress. The results of this study provide insight into the possible role of life-history traits on coral's response to seasons and locations in terms of memory to long-term and short-term thermal anomalies and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting-Ru Chen
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jen Liu
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Terng Wang
- Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Chaolun Allen Chen
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
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8
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Evidence for adaptive morphological plasticity in the Caribbean coral, Acropora cervicornis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203925119. [PMID: 36442118 PMCID: PMC9894258 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203925119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) indicate that variation in organismal traits cannot be explained by fixed effects of genetics or site-specific plastic responses alone. For tropical coral reefs experiencing dramatic environmental change, identifying the contributions of genotype, environment, and GxE on coral performance will be vital for both predicting persistence and developing restoration strategies. We quantified the impacts of G, E, and GxE on the morphology and survival of the endangered coral, Acropora cervicornis, through an in situ transplant experiment exposing common garden (nursery)-raised clones of ten genotypes to nine reef sites in the Florida Keys. By fate-tracking outplants over one year with colony-level 3D photogrammetry, we uncovered significant GxE on coral size, shape, and survivorship, indicating that no universal winner exists in terms of colony performance. Rather than differences in mean trait values, we found that individual-level morphological plasticity is adaptive in that the most plastic individuals also exhibited the fastest growth and highest survival. This indicates that adaptive morphological plasticity may continue to evolve, influencing the success of A. cervicornis and resulting reef communities in a changing climate. As focal reefs are active restoration sites, the knowledge that variation in phenotype is an important predictor of performance can be directly applied to restoration planning. Taken together, these results establish A. cervicornis as a system for studying the ecoevolutionary dynamics of phenotypic plasticity that also can inform genetic- and environment-based strategies for coral restoration.
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9
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McWilliam M, Madin JS, Chase TJ, Hoogenboom MO, Bridge TCL. Intraspecific variation reshapes coral assemblages under elevated temperature and acidity. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2513-2524. [PMID: 36209480 PMCID: PMC9828647 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14114] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Insights into assemblages that can persist in extreme environments are still emerging. Ocean warming and acidification select against species with low physiological tolerance (trait-based 'filtering'). However, intraspecific trait variation can promote species adaptation and persistence, with potentially large effects on assemblage structure. By sampling nine coral traits (four morphological, four tissue and one skeletal) along an offshore-inshore gradient in temperature and pH, we show that distantly related coral species undergo consistent intraspecific changes as they cross into warm, acidic environments. Intraspecific variation and species turnover each favoured colonies with greater tissue biomass, higher symbiont densities and reduced skeletal investments, indicating strong filtering on colony physiology within and across species. Physiological tissue traits were highly variable within species and were independent of morphology, enabling morphologically diverse species to cross into sites of elevated temperature and acidity. Widespread intraspecific change can therefore counter the loss of biodiversity and morphological structure across a steep environmental gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike McWilliam
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaKāne'oheHawaiiUSA,Centre for Biological Diversity, Scottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Joshua S. Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawaiʻi at MānoaKāne'oheHawaiiUSA
| | - Tory J. Chase
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia,College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia,Department of Geography and the EnvironmentVillanova UniversityVillanovaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mia O. Hoogenboom
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia,College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Tom C. L. Bridge
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia,Biodiversity and Geosciences ProgramMuseum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland MuseumTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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10
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Jiang L, Sun YF, Zhou GW, Tong HY, Huang LT, Yu XL, Liu CY, Zhang YY, Yuan XC, Qian PY, Huang H. Ocean acidification elicits differential bleaching and gene expression patterns in larval reef coral Pocillopora damicornis under heat stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156851. [PMID: 35750167 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The successful dispersal of coral larvae is vital to the population replenishment and reef recovery and resilience. Despite that this critical early stage is susceptible to ocean warming and acidification, little is known about the responses of coral larvae to warming and acidification across different biological scales. This study explored the influences of elevated temperature (29 °C versus 33 °C) and pCO2 (500 μatm versus 1000 μatm) on brooded larvae of Pocillopora damicornis at the organismal, cellular and gene expression levels. Heat stress caused bleaching, depressed light-enhanced dark respiration, photosynthesis and autotrophy, whereas high pCO2 stimulated photosynthesis. Although survival was unaffected, larvae at 33 °C were ten-times more likely to settle than those at 29 °C, suggesting reduced capacity to disperse and differentiate suitable substrate. Remarkably, heat stress induced greater symbiont loss at ambient pCO2 than at high pCO2, while cell-specific pigment concentrations of symbionts at 33 °C increased twofold under ambient pCO2 relative to high pCO2, suggesting pCO2-dependent bleaching patterns. Considerable increases in activities of host antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) at 33 °C indicated oxidative stress, whereas lipid peroxidation and caspase activities were contained, thereby restraining larval mortality at 33 °C. Furthermore, the coral host mounted stronger transcriptional responses than symbionts. High pCO2 stimulated host metabolic pathways, possibly because of the boosted algal productivity. In contrast, host metabolic processes and symbiont photosystem genes were downregulated at 33 °C. Interestingly, the upregulation of extracellular matrix genes and glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway at 33 °C was more evident under ambient pCO2 than high pCO2, suggesting compromised host tissue integrity that could have facilitated symbiont expulsion and bleaching. Our results provide insights into how coral larvae respond to warming and acidification at different levels of biological organization, and demonstrate that ocean acidification can mediate thermal bleaching and gene expression in coral larvae under heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - You-Fang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Hao-Ya Tong
- Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Lin-Tao 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Xiao-Lei 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Cheng-Yue 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Yu-Yang 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Xiang-Cheng Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, 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 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
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11
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Caruso C, Rocha de Souza M, Ruiz‐Jones L, Conetta D, Hancock J, Hobbs C, Hobbs C, Kahkejian V, Kitchen R, Marin C, Monismith S, Madin J, Gates R, Drury C. Genetic patterns in Montipora capitata across an environmental mosaic in Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5201-5213. [PMID: 35962751 PMCID: PMC9825948 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Spatial genetic structure (SGS) is important to a population's ability to adapt to environmental change. For species that reproduce both sexually and asexually, the relative contribution of each reproductive mode has important ecological and evolutionary implications because asexual reproduction can have a strong effect on SGS. Reef-building corals reproduce sexually, but many species also propagate asexually under certain conditions. To understand SGS and the relative importance of reproductive mode across environmental gradients, we evaluated genetic relatedness in almost 600 colonies of Montipora capitata across 30 environmentally characterized sites in Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawaii, using low-depth restriction digest-associated sequencing. Clonal colonies were relatively rare overall but influenced SGS. Clones were located significantly closer to one another spatially than average colonies and were more frequent on sites where wave energy was relatively high, suggesting a strong role of mechanical breakage in their formation. Excluding clones, we found no evidence of isolation by distance within sites or across the bay. Several environmental characteristics were significant predictors of the underlying genetic variation (including degree heating weeks, time spent above 30°C, depth, sedimentation rate and wave height); however, they only explained 5% of this genetic variation. Our results show that asexual fragmentation contributes to the ecology of branching corals at local scales and that genetic diversity is maintained despite strong environmental gradients in a highly impacted ecosystem, suggesting potential for broad adaptation or acclimatization in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Caruso
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | | | | | | | - Joshua Hancock
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | | | | | - Valerie Kahkejian
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | - Rebecca Kitchen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | - Christian Marin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | | | - Joshua Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | - Ruth Gates
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
| | - Crawford Drury
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHawai'iUSA
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12
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Humanes A, Lachs L, Beauchamp EA, Bythell JC, Edwards AJ, Golbuu Y, Martinez HM, Palmowski P, Treumann A, van der Steeg E, van Hooidonk R, Guest JR. Within-population variability in coral heat tolerance indicates climate adaptation potential. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220872. [PMID: 36043280 PMCID: PMC9428547 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented mass bleaching and mortality events due to marine heatwaves and climate change. To avoid extirpation, corals must adapt. Individual variation in heat tolerance and its heritability underpin the potential for coral adaptation. However, the magnitude of heat tolerance variability within coral populations is largely unresolved. We address this knowledge gap by exposing corals from a single reef to an experimental marine heatwave. We found that double the heat stress dosage was required to induce bleaching in the most-tolerant 10%, compared to the least-tolerant 10% of the population. By the end of the heat stress exposure, all of the least-tolerant corals were dead, whereas the most-tolerant remained alive. To contextualize the scale of this result over the coming century, we show that under an ambitious future emissions scenario, such differences in coral heat tolerance thresholds equate to up to 17 years delay until the onset of annual bleaching and mortality conditions. However, this delay is limited to only 10 years under a high emissions scenario. Our results show substantial variability in coral heat tolerance which suggests scope for natural or assisted evolution to limit the impacts of climate change in the short-term. For coral reefs to persist through the coming century, coral adaptation must keep pace with ocean warming, and ambitious emissions reductions must be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Humanes
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Liam Lachs
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Beauchamp
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John C Bythell
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alasdair J Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Helios M Martinez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paweł Palmowski
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Achim Treumann
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eveline van der Steeg
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ruben van Hooidonk
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA.,Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - James R Guest
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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13
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Drury C, Dilworth J, Majerová E, Caruso C, Greer JB. Expression plasticity regulates intraspecific variation in the acclimatization potential of a reef-building coral. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4790. [PMID: 35970904 PMCID: PMC9378650 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32452-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is an important ecological and evolutionary response for organisms experiencing environmental change, but the ubiquity of this capacity within coral species and across symbiont communities is unknown. We exposed ten genotypes of the reef-building coral Montipora capitata with divergent symbiont communities to four thermal pre-exposure profiles and quantified gene expression before stress testing 4 months later. Here we show two pre-exposure profiles significantly enhance thermal tolerance despite broadly different expression patterns and substantial variation in acclimatization potential based on coral genotype. There was no relationship between a genotype's basal thermal sensitivity and ability to acquire heat tolerance, including in corals harboring naturally tolerant symbionts, which illustrates the potential for additive improvements in coral response to climate change. These results represent durable improvements from short-term stress hardening of reef-building corals and substantial cryptic complexity in the capacity for plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenna Dilworth
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eva Majerová
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
| | - Carlo Caruso
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
| | - Justin B Greer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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14
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Shaver EC, McLeod E, Hein MY, Palumbi SR, Quigley K, Vardi T, Mumby PJ, Smith D, Montoya‐Maya P, Muller EM, Banaszak AT, McLeod IM, Wachenfeld D. A roadmap to integrating resilience into the practice of coral reef restoration. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:4751-4764. [PMID: 35451154 PMCID: PMC9545251 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent warm temperatures driven by climate change have caused mass coral bleaching and mortality across the world, prompting managers, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to embrace restoration as a strategy to sustain coral reefs. Despite a proliferation of new coral reef restoration efforts globally and increasing scientific recognition and research on interventions aimed at supporting reef resilience to climate impacts, few restoration programs are currently incorporating climate change and resilience in project design. As climate change will continue to degrade coral reefs for decades to come, guidance is needed to support managers and restoration practitioners to conduct restoration that promotes resilience through enhanced coral reef recovery, resistance, and adaptation. Here, we address this critical implementation gap by providing recommendations that integrate resilience principles into restoration design and practice, including for project planning and design, coral selection, site selection, and broader ecosystem context. We also discuss future opportunities to improve restoration methods to support enhanced outcomes for coral reefs in response to climate change. As coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change, interventions that enhance reef resilience will help to ensure restoration efforts have a greater chance of success in a warming world. They are also more likely to provide essential contributions to global targets to protect natural biodiversity and the human communities that rely on reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Margaux Y. Hein
- Marine Ecosystem Restoration Research and ConsultingMonacoMonaco
| | | | - Kate Quigley
- Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Tali Vardi
- ECS for NOAA Fisheries Office of Science & TechnologySilver SpringMarylandUSA
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - David Smith
- Coral Reef Research UnitSchool of Life SciencesEssexUK
- Mars IncorporatedLondonUK
| | | | | | | | - Ian M. McLeod
- TropWATER, The Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - David Wachenfeld
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park AuthorityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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15
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Knapp IS, Forsman ZH, Greene A, Johnston EC, Bardin CE, Chan N, Wolke C, Gulko D, Toonen RJ. Coral micro-fragmentation assays for optimizing active reef restoration efforts. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13653. [PMID: 35873907 PMCID: PMC9302430 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The global decline of coral reefs has driven considerable interest in active coral restoration. Despite their importance and dominance on mature reefs, relatively few coral restoration projects use slower growth forms like massive and encrusting coral species. Micro-fragmentation can increase coral cover by orders of magnitude faster than natural growth, which now allows cultivation of slow growing massive forms and shows promise and flexibility for active reef restoration. However, the major causes of variation in growth and survival of outplanted colonies remain poorly understood. Here, we report simple outplanting assays to aid in active reef restoration of slower growing species and increase the likelihood of restoration success. We used two different micro-fragmentation assays. Pyramid assays were used to examine variation associated with fragment size (ranging from ≈1-9 cm2), nursery residence time (for both in-situ and ex-situ nurseries), and 2D vs. 3D measurements of growth. Block assays were used to examine spatial variation among individual performance at outplanting sites in the field. We found 2D and 3D measurements correlated well, so measured survivorship and growth using top-down planar images for two of the main Hawaiian reef building corals, the plating Montipora capitata and the massive Porites compressa. Pyramid assays housed and outplanted from the in-situ nursery showed no effect of residence time or size on overall survivorship or growth for either species. Results from the ex-situ nursery, however, varied by species, with P. compressa again showing no effect of nursery residence time or size on survivorship or growth. In contrast, nursery culture resulted in improved survivorship of small M. capitata fragments, but net growth showed a weak positive effect of nursery time for medium fragments. Small fragments still suffered higher mortality than either medium or large fragments. Due to their lower mortality, medium fragments (≈3 cm2) appear to be the best compromise between growth and survivorship for outplanting. Likewise, given weak positive gains relative to the investment, our results suggest that it could be more cost-effective to simply outplant medium fragments as soon as possible, without intermediate culture in a nursery. Furthermore, the block assay revealed significant differences in survivorship and growth among sites for individuals of both species, emphasizing the importance of considering spatial variation in coral survival and growth following outplanting. These results highlight the value of using short-term micro-fragmentation assays prior to outplanting to assess size, and location specific performance, optimizing the efficiency of active reef restoration activities and maximizing the probability of success for active coral restoration projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid S.S. Knapp
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Zac H. Forsman
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
- Environmental Science and Monitoring, The Red Sea Development Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Austin Greene
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Erika C. Johnston
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States
| | - Claire E. Bardin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Norton Chan
- Hawai'i Coral Restoration Nursery, Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Chelsea Wolke
- Hawai'i Coral Restoration Nursery, Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - David Gulko
- Hawai'i Coral Restoration Nursery, Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Robert J. Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences & Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Moku o Lóe, Kānéohe, Hawai'i, USA
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16
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Environmental stability and phenotypic plasticity benefit the cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus in an acidified fjord. Commun Biol 2022; 5:683. [PMID: 35810196 PMCID: PMC9271058 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03622-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The stratified Chilean Comau Fjord sustains a dense population of the cold-water coral (CWC) Desmophyllum dianthus in aragonite supersaturated shallow and aragonite undersaturated deep water. This provides a rare opportunity to evaluate CWC fitness trade-offs in response to physico-chemical drivers and their variability. Here, we combined year-long reciprocal transplantation experiments along natural oceanographic gradients with an in situ assessment of CWC fitness. Following transplantation, corals acclimated fast to the novel environment with no discernible difference between native and novel (i.e. cross-transplanted) corals, demonstrating high phenotypic plasticity. Surprisingly, corals exposed to lowest aragonite saturation (Ωarag < 1) and temperature (T < 12.0 °C), but stable environmental conditions, at the deep station grew fastest and expressed the fittest phenotype. We found an inverse relationship between CWC fitness and environmental variability and propose to consider the high frequency fluctuations of abiotic and biotic factors to better predict the future of CWCs in a changing ocean. The cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus benefits from stable environmental conditions in deep waters of Comau Fjord (Chile) and is able to acclimatise quickly to new environmental conditions after transplantation.
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17
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Jury CP, Boeing BM, Trapido-Rosenthal H, Gates RD, Toonen RJ. Nitric oxide production rather than oxidative stress and cell death is associated with the onset of coral bleaching in Pocillopora acuta. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13321. [PMID: 35669951 PMCID: PMC9166681 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated seawater temperatures associated with climate change lead to coral bleaching. While the ultimate causes of bleaching are well understood, the proximate physiological mechanisms underlying the bleaching response are not as well defined. Here we measured nitric oxide synthase activity, oxidative stress, and cell death in algal symbionts (Symbiodinaceae) freshly isolated from the reef-building coral Pocillopora acuta collected in the field under natural non-bleaching conditions and from corals experimentally exposed to elevated temperatures. Nitric oxide synthase activity in the algal symbionts was >3 orders of magnitude higher than that of the host and increased dramatically with increasing temperature and time of exposure (up to 72 h), consistent with the onset of bleaching for these corals. Oxidative stress and cell death among the algal symbionts were highest in coral holobionts exposed to intermediate as opposed to maximal temperatures, suggesting that these mechanisms are not proximal triggers for bleaching in this species. Our results point to nitric oxide production by the algal symbionts, rather than symbiont dysfunction, as a more important driver of coral bleaching under acute thermal stress in this coral.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian M. Boeing
- Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, Kāneʻohe, HI, United States
| | | | - Ruth D. Gates
- Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, Kāneʻohe, HI, United States
| | - Robert J. Toonen
- Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, Kāneʻohe, HI, United States
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18
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Henley EM, Bouwmeester J, Jury CP, Toonen RJ, Quinn M, Lager CV, Hagedorn M. Growth and survival among Hawaiian corals outplanted from tanks to an ocean nursery are driven by individual genotype and species differences rather than preconditioning to thermal stress. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13112. [PMID: 35345587 PMCID: PMC8957268 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The drastic decline in coral coverage has stimulated an interest in reef restoration, and various iterations of coral nurseries have been used to augment restoration strategies. Here we examine the growth of two species of Hawaiian Montipora that were maintained in mesocosms under either ambient or warmed annual bleaching conditions for two consecutive years prior to outplanting to determine whether preconditioning aided coral restoration efforts. Using coral trees to create a nearby ocean nursery, we examined whether: (1) previous ex situ mesocosm growth would mirror in situ coral tree nursery growth; and (2) thermal ex situ stress-hardening would predict future success during natural warming events in situ for corals moved from tanks to trees. For Montipora capitata, we found that variation in growth was explained primarily by genotype; growth rates in the mesocosms were similar to those in situ, irrespective of preconditioning. Variation in M. flabellata growth, however, was explained by both genotype and culture method such that an individual M. flabellata colony that grew well in the tanks did not necessarily perform as well on the coral trees. For both species, previous exposure to elevated temperatures in the mesocosms provided no benefit to either growth or survival during a warming event in the coral tree nursery compared to those grown in ambient temperatures. Overall, M. capitata performed better in the tree nursery with higher net growth, lower mortality, and was subject to less predation than M. flabellata. Our results show little benefit of the additional cost and time of stress-hardening these corals prior to outplanting because it is unlikely to aid resilience to future warming events. These results also suggest that selecting corals for restoration based on long-term genotype growth performance may be more effective for optimal outcomes but should be weighed against other factors, such as coral morphology, in situ nursery method, location, and other characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Michael Henley
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Jessica Bouwmeester
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Christopher P. Jury
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Robert J. Toonen
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Mariko Quinn
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Claire V.A. Lager
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
| | - Mary Hagedorn
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, United States,Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i, United States
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19
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Contingency planning for coral reefs in the Anthropocene; The potential of reef safe havens. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:107-124. [PMID: 35225326 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reducing the global reliance on fossil fuels is essential to ensure the long-term survival of coral reefs, but until this happens, alternative tools are required to safeguard their future. One emerging tool is to locate areas where corals are surviving well despite the changing climate. Such locations include refuges, refugia, hotspots of resilience, bright spots, contemporary near-pristine reefs, and hope spots that are collectively named reef 'safe havens' in this mini-review. Safe havens have intrinsic value for reefs through services such as environmental buffering, maintaining near-pristine reef conditions, or housing corals naturally adapted to future environmental conditions. Spatial and temporal variance in physicochemical conditions and exposure to stress however preclude certainty over the ubiquitous long-term capacity of reef safe havens to maintain protective service provision. To effectively integrate reef safe havens into proactive reef management and contingency planning for climate change scenarios, thus requires an understanding of their differences, potential values, and predispositions to stress. To this purpose, I provide a high-level review on the defining characteristics of different coral reef safe havens, how they are being utilised in proactive reef management and what risk and susceptibilities they inherently have. The mini-review concludes with an outline of the potential for reef safe haven habitats to support contingency planning of coral reefs under an uncertain future from intensifying climate change.
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20
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Horizon scan of rapidly advancing coral restoration approaches for 21st century reef management. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:125-136. [PMID: 35119476 PMCID: PMC9023016 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef restoration activity is accelerating worldwide in efforts to offset the rate of reef health declines. Many advances have already been made in restoration practices centred on coral biology (coral restoration), and particularly those that look to employ the high adaptive state and capacity of corals in order to ensure that efforts rebuilding coral biomass also equip reefs with enhanced resilience to future stress. We horizon scan the state-of-play for the many coral restoration innovations already underway across the complex life cycle for corals that spans both asexual and sexual reproduction — assisted evolution (manipulations targeted to the coral host and host-associated microbes), biobanking, as well as scalable coral propagation and planting — and how these innovations are in different stages of maturity to support new 21st century reef management frameworks. Realising the potential for coral restoration tools as management aids undoubtedly rests on validating different approaches as their application continues to scale. Whilst the ecosystem service responses to increased scaling still largely remain to be seen, coral restoration has already delivered immense new understanding of coral and coral-associated microbial biology that has long lagged behind advances in other reef sciences.
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Wang JT, Chu CW, Soong K. Comparison of the bleaching susceptibility of coral species by using minimal samples of live corals. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12840. [PMID: 35127294 PMCID: PMC8800388 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12840] [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: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In massive bleaching events (losing symbiotic algae from corals), more sensitive corals are bleached earlier than other corals. To perform a comparison of bleaching susceptibility within and across coral species, a simple quantitative method is required. Accordingly, we present a laboratory-based method for comparing the bleaching susceptibility of various coral species by using a standardized image analysis protocol. Coral fragments were sampled from the colonies of five species selected from Kenting, southern Taiwan, and maintained in the same aquarium tank with circulating seawater; 2 seawater temperature regimes were used (i.e., fast-heating program (FHP), with a heating rate of 1 °C per day; and slow-heating program (SHP), with a heating rate of 1 °C per 3 days). Each coral fragment was photographed periodically, and the colored images were subsequently converted to grayscale images and then digitally analyzed to determine the standardized grayscale values (G0) by comparing with that of standard color strip. The G0 of a sample at each time of photographing during bleaching was divided by the difference of G0 between the acclimating and the same but completely bleached fragment to derive the relative grayscale (RG%) at a particular stage of bleaching; this is done for each coral fragment of a colony. The smaller the RG% of a coral fragment the closer it is approaching completely bleached condition. The level of decrease in RG% within a time series of images in each heating regime was used to establish a bleaching time index (BTI). The lower the BTI, the sooner to reach a defined bleaching level (e.g., 30%), this indicates the coral is more sensitive to thermal bleaching. In the experiment, we compared the bleaching susceptibility of the five species. Based on the proposed BTI, the five species were ranked in terms of bleaching susceptibility, and the rankings were identical between the two temperature regimes; three species in Pocilloporidae had lower BTI, whereas the hydrocoral Millepora species had the highest BTI. Within each heating regime, the BTI of different species were ranked and used to indicate susceptibility. In the FHP, the three Pocilloporidae species could be divided into two groups in terms of bleaching susceptibility. FHP not only displayed a higher differentiating capability on coal bleaching susceptibility than SHP, but also had a faster completion time, thus reducing the likelihood of unforeseen complications during the tank experiments. Our color-based method is easier and less effort-intensive than methods involving the assessment of zooxanthellae densities. Moreover, it requires much fewer replicates and all samples in one large tank (e.g., 300 L) for the studies considering multiple species comparisons. This method opens opportunities for studying the effects of species types, acclimatization (e.g., seasons), and environmental factors other than temperature on coral bleaching.
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22
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Decreased Photosynthetic Efficiency in Response to Site Translocation and Elevated Temperature Is Mitigated with LPS Exposure in Porites astreoides Symbionts. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs have been detrimentally impacted causing health issues due to elevated ocean temperatures as a result of increased greenhouse gases. Extreme temperatures have also exacerbated coral diseases in tropical reef environments. Numerous studies have outlined the impacts of thermal stress and disease on coral organisms, as well as understanding the influence of site-based characteristics on coral physiology. However, few have discussed the interaction of all three. Laboratory out-planting restoration projects have been of importance throughout impacted areas such as the Caribbean and southern Florida in order to increase coral cover in these areas. This study analyzes photosynthetic efficiency of Porites astreoides from the lower Florida Keys after a two-year reciprocal transplant study at inshore (Birthday reef) and offshore (Acer24 reef) sites to understand acclimation capacity of this species. Laboratory experiments subjected these colonies to one of three treatments: control conditions, increases in temperature, and increases in temperature plus exposure to an immune stimulant (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) to determine their influence on photosynthetic efficiency and how stress events impact these measurements. In addition, this study is a continuation of previous studies from this group. Here, we aim to understand if these results are static or if an acclimation capacity could be found. Overall, we observed site-specific influences from the Acer24 reef site, which had significant decreases in photosynthetic efficiencies in 32 °C treatments compared to Birthday reef colonies. We suggest that high irradiance and lack of an annual recovery period from the Acer24 site exposes these colonies to significant photoinhibition. In addition, we observed significant increases in photosynthetic efficiencies from LPS exposure. We suggest host-derived antioxidants can mitigate the negative impacts of increased thermal stress. Further research is required to understand the full complexity of host immunity and symbiont photosynthetic interactions.
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Cunning R, Parker KE, Johnson-Sapp K, Karp RF, Wen AD, Williamson OM, Bartels E, D'Alessandro M, Gilliam DS, Hanson G, Levy J, Lirman D, Maxwell K, Million WC, Moulding AL, Moura A, Muller EM, Nedimyer K, Reckenbeil B, van Hooidonk R, Dahlgren C, Kenkel C, Parkinson JE, Baker AC. Census of heat tolerance among Florida's threatened staghorn corals finds resilient individuals throughout existing nursery populations. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211613. [PMID: 34666521 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid loss of reef-building corals owing to ocean warming is driving the development of interventions such as coral propagation and restoration, selective breeding and assisted gene flow. Many of these interventions target naturally heat-tolerant individuals to boost climate resilience, but the challenges of quickly and reliably quantifying heat tolerance and identifying thermotolerant individuals have hampered implementation. Here, we used coral bleaching automated stress systems to perform rapid, standardized heat tolerance assays on 229 colonies of Acropora cervicornis across six coral nurseries spanning Florida's Coral Reef, USA. Analysis of heat stress dose-response curves for each colony revealed a broad range in thermal tolerance among individuals (approx. 2.5°C range in Fv/Fm ED50), with highly reproducible rankings across independent tests (r = 0.76). Most phenotypic variation occurred within nurseries rather than between them, pointing to a potentially dominant role of fixed genetic effects in setting thermal tolerance and widespread distribution of tolerant individuals throughout the population. The identification of tolerant individuals provides immediately actionable information to optimize nursery and restoration programmes for Florida's threatened staghorn corals. This work further provides a blueprint for future efforts to identify and source thermally tolerant corals for conservation interventions worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Cunning
- Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Katherine E Parker
- Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kelsey Johnson-Sapp
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Richard F Karp
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alexandra D Wen
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Olivia M Williamson
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Erich Bartels
- Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Mote Marine Laboratory, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | | | - David S Gilliam
- Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Grace Hanson
- Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Jessica Levy
- Coral Restoration Foundation, Key Largo, FL, USA
| | - Diego Lirman
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kerry Maxwell
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Marathon, FL, USA
| | - Wyatt C Million
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alison L Moulding
- Protected Resources Division, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, St Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Amelia Moura
- Coral Restoration Foundation, Key Largo, FL, USA
| | - Erinn M Muller
- Coral Health and Disease Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Ruben van Hooidonk
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.,Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Carly Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John E Parkinson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrew C Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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