A hybrid-capture approach to reconstruct the phylogeny of Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia)

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 107867 - 107867

Published: June 20, 2023

A well-supported evolutionary tree representing most major lineages of scleractinian corals is in sight with the development and application phylogenomic approaches. Specifically, hybrid-capture techniques are shedding light on evolution systematics corals. Here, we reconstructed a broad phylogeny Scleractinia to test previous phylogenetic hypotheses inferred from few molecular markers, particular, relationships among families genera, identify clades that require further research. We analysed 449 nuclear loci 422 corals, comprising 266 species spanning 26 families, combining data across whole genomes, transcriptomes, hybrid capture low-coverage sequencing reconstruct largest scleractinians date. Due large number completeness (less than 38% missing data), node supports were high shallow deep nodes incongruences observed only nodes. The "Robust" "Complex" recovered unequivocally, our analyses confirmed Micrabaciidae Vaughan, 1905 sister clade, transforming understanding "Basal" clade. Several remain polyphyletic phylogeny, including Deltocyathiidae Kitahara, Cairns, Stolarski & Miller, 2012, Caryophylliidae Dana, 1846, Coscinaraeidae Benzoni, Arrigoni, Stefani Stolarski, hereby formally proposed family name Pachyseridae Benzoni Hoeksema accommodate Pachyseris Milne Edwards Haime, 1849, which phylogenetically distinct Agariciidae Gray, 1847. Results also revealed misidentifications inconsistencies within morphologically complex clades, such as Acropora Oken, 1815 Platygyra Ehrenberg, 1834, underscoring need for reference skeletal material topotypes, well importance detailed taxonomic work. approach findings here provide much promise stabilising topology life advancing coral evolution.

Language: Английский

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Integrating biogeography and behavioral ecology to rapidly address biodiversity loss

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(15)

Published: April 5, 2023

Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss will be the defining ecological, political, humanitarian challenge of our time. Alarmingly, policymakers face a narrowing window opportunity to prevent worst impacts, necessitating complex decisions about which land set aside for preservation. Yet, ability make these is hindered by limited capacity predict how species respond synergistic drivers extinction risk. We argue that rapid integration biogeography behavioral ecology can meet challenges because distinct, yet complementary levels biological organization they address, scaling from individuals populations, communities continental biotas. This union disciplines advance efforts biodiversity’s responses habitat through deeper understanding biotic interactions other behaviors modulate risk, populations impact in are embedded. Fostering mobilization expertise across critical step toward slowing loss.

Language: Английский

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Exposure to global change and microplastics elicits an immune response in an endangered coral

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Jan. 13, 2023

Global change is increasing seawater temperatures and decreasing oceanic pH, driving declines of coral reefs globally. Coral ecosystems are also impacted by local stressors, including microplastics, which ubiquitous on reefs. While the independent effects these global stressors well-documented, their interactions remain less explored. Here, we examine combined (ocean warming acidification) microplastics exposures gene expression (GE) microbial community composition in endangered Acropora cervicornis . Nine genotypes were fragmented maintained one four experimental treatments: 1) ambient conditions (ambient seawater, no microplastics; AMB); 2) treatment MP); 3) (warm acidic conditions, OAW); 4) multistressor with OAW+MP) for 22 days, after corals sampled genome-wide GE profiling ITS2 16S metabarcoding. Overall A. responses to all treatments subtle; however, exhibited strongest responses, genes associated innate immunity overrepresented this treatment. analyses confirmed that Symbiodinium ‘fitti’ revealed similar microbiomes dominated bacterial associate Aquarickettsia , suggesting fragments remarkably low variability algal compositions. Future work should focus functional differences across microbiomes, especially viruses, responses. Overall, results suggest when coupled change, interacting present unique challenges species.

Language: Английский

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Synergistic response to climate stressors in coral is associated with genotypic variation in baseline expression

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2019)

Published: March 27, 2024

As environments are rapidly reshaped due to climate change, phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in the ability of organisms persist and is considered especially acclimatization mechanism for long-lived sessile such as reef-building corals. Often, this a single genotype display multiple phenotypes depending on environment modulated by changes gene expression, which can vary response environmental via two mechanisms: baseline expression plasticity. We used transcriptome-wide profiling eleven genotypes common-gardened Acropora cervicornis explore genotypic variation thermal acidification stress, both individually combination. show that combination these stressors elicits synergistic response, stress variation. Additionally, we demonstrate frontloading large module coexpressed genes associated with greater retention algal symbionts under combined stress. These results illustrate individuals change even when have shared histories, affecting their performance future scenarios.

Language: Английский

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Corals that survive repeated thermal stress show signs of selection and acclimatization

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(7), P. e0303779 - e0303779

Published: July 31, 2024

Climate change is transforming coral reefs by increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, often leading to bleaching mortality. Coral communities have demonstrated modest increases in thermal tolerance following repeated exposure moderate heat stress, but it unclear whether these shifts represent acclimatization individual colonies or mortality thermally susceptible individuals. For corals that survive events, important understand how past responses impact future growth potential. Here, we track 1,832 leeward Maui through multiple heatwaves document patterns survivorship over a seven-year period. While find limited evidence at population scales, reduced time specific individuals indicative acclimatization, primarily stress-tolerant taxa Porites lobata . survived both no relationship between response three four studied. This decoupling suggests better indicator than coral’s history. Based on results, recommend restoration practitioners Hawaiʻi focus Montipora with proven track-record survivorship, rather devote resources toward identifying cultivating bleaching-resistant phenotypes lab. Survivorship followed latitudinal stress gradient, because this gradient was small, likely local environmental factors also drove differences performance sites. Efforts reduce human impacts low performing sites would improve future.

Language: Английский

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Genomic signatures of disease resistance in endangered staghorn corals

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6665), P. 1451 - 1454

Published: Sept. 28, 2023

White band disease (WBD) has caused unprecedented declines in the Caribbean Acropora corals, which are now listed as critically endangered species. Highly disease-resistant cervicornis genotypes exist, but genetic underpinnings of resistance not understood. Using transmission experiments, a newly assembled genome, and whole-genome resequencing 76 A. from Florida Panama, we identified 10 genomic regions 73 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that associated with include functional protein-coding changes four genes involved coral immunity pathogen detection. Polygenic scores calculated loci indicate screens can detect wild nursery stocks across Caribbean.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying coral-algal interactions in an acidified ocean: Sargassum spp. exposure mitigates low pH effects on Acropora cervicornis health

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Increasingly frequent large-scale pelagic Sargassum algae blooms in the Atlantic have become a problem for coastal ecosystems. The mass decay of these reduces water quality flora and fauna. However, effects living on seawater consequently coral reef ecosystems that rely delicately balanced carbonate chemistry are more ambiguous. Future oceans predicted to be acidic as additional anthropogenic CO 2 emissions absorbed, potentially tipping balance favor algal at cost survival. This study aimed simulate indirect interaction between S argassum spp. Acropora cervicornis fragments from Florida Reef current-day future ocean pH conditions over course 70 days mesocosm experimental system. Measurements growth health via buoyant weight Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorescence measurements reveal an unexpected coral-algal interaction. After 1 month, was significantly reduced under acidification exposure ; same time quantum yield maximum electron transport rate photosynthesis were increased relative control counterparts ambient scenarios by up 14% 18% respectively. These improvements photosynthetic efficiency did not translate significant differences final measurement point. In addition, presence raise system, raising questions about how it benefited exposed corals. Heterotrophy detrital matter is suspected compensate impaired stressed Therefore, despite their current negative reputation, could provide short term localized benefits corals present conditions.

Language: Английский

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On the interaction of buoyant plastic debris and sea-surface layer organisms

Anthropocene Coasts, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: April 29, 2025

Language: Английский

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Physiological and symbiotic flexibility of reef‐building corals to new habitats: Insights from clonal colony transplants

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 15, 2024

Abstract Global decline of coral reefs shows varied responses to environmental stress, highlighting the need understand these differences. The physiological plasticity hosts and their microalgal symbionts can allow holobiont thrive in diverse marine environments, suggesting new strategies for effective restoration. To investigate local influence on physiology two Caribbean species ( Acropora palmata Orbicella faveolata ), clonal colonies from a land‐based nursery were transferred nearshore offshore one year. After transfer reef habitats, both shifted photopigmentation host energy reserves. also dominant altered growth. Stable isotopes identified higher autotrophic proportions metabolic carbon photosynthesis rates transplanted compared those nursery. Synthesis applications . These findings improve our understanding acclimatization plasticity, potential side effects domestication. As restoration accelerates globally, this knowledge is crucial guiding efforts conserving endangered ecosystems by supplying considerations improving coral‐rearing systems providing information genera‐specific transplant sites.

Language: Английский

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Ex Situ Thermal Preconditioning Modulates Coral Physiology and Enhances Heat Tolerance: A Multispecies Perspective for Active Restoration

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 25, 2025

Global warming threatens reef-building corals by challenging their adaptive capacity. Therefore, interventions such as stress-hardening thermal preconditioning could become crucial for survival. This study aimed to systematically assess the effects of distinct regimes (stable-high at 29 °C, variable-high ± 1.5 and stable-ambient control 26 °C) on baseline physiology tolerance six stony coral species (Galaxea fascicularis, Porites rus, Acropora muricata, Montipora digitata, Pocillopora verrucosa, Stylophora pistillata) determine commonalities in responses that transcend species-specific signatures. For this, we quantified changes photosynthetic efficiency bleaching intensity before after a short-term heat stress assay up 30 days later. Stress-hardening was successful all preconditioned corals, with regime slightly outperforming stable-high regime. Preconditioning reduced response 90%, yet differed receptiveness. It also improved resilience (survival recovery), high inherent recovered better than susceptible species. Notably, both affected physiology, exclusively branching species, causing tissue paling decreased efficiency. We conclude implementing protocols requires consideration receptiveness potential physiological trade-offs.

Language: Английский

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