Assessing how metal reef restoration structures shape the functional and taxonomic profile of coral-associated bacterial communities

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: April 26, 2024

Significant threats to the long-term persistence of coral reefs have accelerated adoption propagation and out-planting approaches. However, how materials commonly used for structures could potentially affect coral-associated bacterial communities remains untested. Here, we examined impact metal on communities. Fragments species Acropora millepora were grown aluminium, sand/epoxy-coated steel (Reef Stars), uncoated (rebar) structures. After 6 months, functional taxonomic profiles propagated corals reef colonies characterised using amplicon (16S rRNA gene) shotgun metagenomic sequencing. No differences in phylogenetic structure or profile observed between colonies. specific genes pathways (e.g., lipid, nucleotide, carbohydrate metabolism) overrepresented different materials, taxa indicative materials. These findings indicate that may lead individual potential communities, but these contribute changed holobiont fitness presents a key question be addressed.

Language: Английский

The volatilome of the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis

Published: May 20, 2023

<p><b>With a rapidly changing environment, understanding the endosymbiotic relationship between cnidarians and dinoflagellates is crucial to elucidate ways in which corals may respond future conditions. At basis of this symbiosis exchange metabolites signalling molecules partners, all contribute establishment, maintenance, ultimately dissociation important relationship. A subset metabolites, biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are low molecular weight, weakly lipophilic that diffuse quickly through water air, making them potential candidates for inter-species interactions. This thesis sought characterise patterns BVOC generation cnidarian-dinoflagellate across symbiotic states thermal dysfunction model cnidarian Aiptasia (Exaiptasia diaphana). </b></p> <p>In Chapter 2, I characterised suite BVOCs (collectively, ‘volatilome’) emitted by system symbiosis, each partner isolation. Relative anemones, volatilome cultured symbionts (Breviolum minutum) was more distinct than it aposymbiotic (symbiont-free) suggesting alters physiological state dinoflagellate dramatically Aiptasia. For example, B. minutum produced dimethyl sulphide (DMS) highest abundance, while anemones halogenated methanes like bromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane, tribromomethane trichloromethane, regardless state. Alternatively, relative lack alteration host, state, suggest high degree metabolic integration partners. </p> 3, examined role symbiont identity on microbiome Microbiome analysis revealed populations bacteria with family Vibrionaceae being most abundant anemones. As prominent members bacterial pathogens, higher proportion could indicate disease susceptibility volatilomes those native minutum, non-native Durusdinium trenchii indistinct from either aposymbiosis or minutum. suggests presence known form sub-optimal potentially stressful impacts metabolome. Indeed, isoprene containing abundance aldehydes octanal, nonanal dodecanal, these as biomarkers.</p> 4, investigated impact stress its Aposymbiotic were exposed control (25 °C), sub-bleaching (30 °C) bleaching (33.5 temperatures. In both observed restructuring 25 °C 33.5 °C, at 30 exhibiting an intermediate consistent previous experiments showing microbiota can shift response environmental Anemones number significantly different BVOCs, including acetone naphthalene. contrast, temperature lower treatments, largely driven quantities sulphide, eucalyptol 1-iodododecane. Overall, exhibited decline richness progressively temperatures, perhaps revealing onset collapse; decrease not temperature, stabilising effect endosymbionts. 5, describe method assess chemotactic responses Symbiodiniaceae, defined tryptone positive Cladocopium spp., D. trenchii. assessed spp. pervasive marine metabolite dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), volatiles bromodichloromethane (BrCl2CH) diiodomethane (I2CH2). Despite their production neither BrCl2CH nor I2CH2 elicited sp. The precursor (DMS), multifunctional widespread DMSP has functions osmoregulation, antioxidant defence acts chemoattractant multiple organisms. found that, repelled DMSP, did chemotactically molecule. These differing species Symbiodiniaceae reflect chemical cues used locate establish new hosts, adds literature describing functional diversity <p>Collectively, my elucidates synthesis release stress. foundational study provides platform explore roles identified associates. Additionally, non-invasive technology volatilomics applied here serve identify biomarkers ecosystem health natural habitats. Ultimately, work contributes our altered time when coral reefs threatened extinction.</p>

Language: Английский

Carbonate Budgets Induced by Coral Restoration of a Great Barrier Reef Site Following Cyclone Damage

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Coral carbonate production is fundamental to reef accretion and, consequently, the preservation of essential ecosystem services, such as wave attenuation and sustained biodiversity. However, unprecedented loss coral reefs from anthropogenic impacts has put these valuable services at risk. To counteract this loss, active rehabilitation degraded sites accelerated globally. A variety restoration practices exist, tailored local site needs types. For where there a significant unconsolidated substrate, Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS, or “Reef Stars”) been utilised contribute toward rubble stabilisation accretion. effect Stars on budgets structural complexity not assessed. that purpose, we assess cover through census-based approach identify contribution producers eroders alongside studying skeletal properties estimate current rehabilitated compared natural unrehabilitated patches mid-Great Barrier Reef. Our research identified positive ecological processes functions increased budget, restored non-intervened patches. In general, no rigour relative were found for two key species Acropora most traits. P. damicornis hardness seemed decrease other sites, demonstrating different performances during activities should be considered maximise return-on-effort activities. Overall, our data demonstrate consideration important measuring success initiatives can relevant tool recover lost budgets.

Language: Английский