Insights into the Coral Microbiome: Underpinning the Health and Resilience of Reef Ecosystems

Annual Review of Microbiology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 70(1), P. 317 - 340

Published: Aug. 2, 2016

Corals are fundamental ecosystem engineers, creating large, intricate reefs that support diverse and abundant marine life. At the core of a healthy coral animal is dynamic relationship with microorganisms, including mutually beneficial symbiosis photosynthetic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium spp.) enduring partnerships an array bacterial, archaeal, fungal, protistan, viral associates, collectively termed holobiont. The combined genomes this holobiont form hologenome, genomic interactions within hologenome ultimately define phenotype. Here we integrate contemporary scientific knowledge regarding ecological, host-specific, environmental forces shaping diversity, specificity, distribution microbial symbionts holobiont, explore physiological pathways contribute to fitness, describe potential mechanisms for homeostasis. Understanding role microbiome in resilience, acclimation, adaptation new frontier reef science will require large-scale collaborative research efforts.

Language: Английский

---

Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMC): Proposed Mechanisms for Coral Health and Resilience

Frontiers in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: March 7, 2017

The symbiotic association between the coral animal and its endosymbiotic dinoflagellate partner Symbiodinium is central to success of corals. However, an array other microorganisms associated with (i.e., Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi viruses) have a complex intricate role in maintaining homeostasis corals Symbiodinium. Corals are sensitive shifts surrounding environmental conditions. One most widely reported responses stressful conditions bleaching. During this event, expel cells from their gastrodermal tissues upon experiencing extended seawater temperatures above thermal threshold. An stressors can also destabilize microbiome, resulting compromised health host, which may include disease mortality worst scenario. exact mechanisms by microbiome supports increases resilience poorly understood. Earlier studies microbiology proposed probiotic hypothesis, wherein dynamic relationship exists microorganisms, selecting for holobiont that best suited prevailing Here, we discuss microbial-host relationships within holobiont, along potential roles health. We propose term BMC (Beneficial Microorganisms Corals) define (specific) symbionts promote This concept analogous Plant Growth Promoting Rhizosphere (PGPR), has been explored manipulated agricultural industry inhabit rhizosphere directly or indirectly plant growth development through production regulatory signals, antibiotics nutrients. Additionally, effects on corals, suggesting strategies use knowledge manipulate reversing dysbiosis restore protect reefs. developing using consortia as "probiotics" improve resistance after bleaching events and/or such human-assisted acclimation/adaption shifting

Language: Английский

---

Defining the Core Microbiome in Corals’ Microbial Soup

Trends in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 125 - 140

Published: Dec. 3, 2016

Language: Английский

---

Responses of Coral-Associated Bacterial Communities to Local and Global Stressors

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Aug. 15, 2017

The microbial contribution to ecological resilience is still largely overlooked in coral reef ecology. Coral-associated bacteria serve a wide variety of functional roles with reference the host, and thus, composition overall microbiome community can strongly influence health survival. Here, we synthesize findings recent studies (n=45) that evaluated impacts top three stressors facing reefs, climate change, water pollution overfishing, on structure diversity. Contrary species losses are typical many communities under stress, here show richness tends be higher rather than lower for stressed corals (i.e. ~60% cases), regardless stressor. Microbial responses stress were taxonomically consistent across stressors, specific taxa typically increasing abundance (e.g. Vibrionales, Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacterales, Altermonadales, Rhizobiales, Rhodospirillales Desulfovibrionales) others declining Oceanosprillales). Emerging evidence also suggests may increase beta diversity amongst colonies, potentially reflecting reduced ability host regulate its microbiome. Moving forward, will need discern implications stress-induced shifts hosts able use identify resilient corals. present supports hypothesis play important resilience, encourage focus contributions future research.

Language: Английский

---

Deep reefs are not universal refuges: Reseeding potential varies among coral species

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 3(2)

Published: Feb. 3, 2017

Deep coral reefs (that is, mesophotic ecosystems) can act as refuges against major disturbances affecting shallow reefs. It has been proposed that, through the provision of propagules, such deep may aid in reef recovery; however, this "reseeding" hypothesis remains largely untested. We conducted a genome-wide assessment two scleractinian species with contrasting reproductive modes, to assess potential for connectivity between (40 m) and (12 depths on an isolated system Western Atlantic (Bermuda). To overcome pervasive issue endosymbiont contamination associated de novo sequencing corals, we used novel subtraction reference approach. have demonstrated that strong depth-associated selection led divergence brooding Agaricia fragilis (with by depth exceeding location). Despite introgression from into populations, lack first-generation migrants indicates effective over ecological time scales is extremely limited thus precludes reseeding refuges. In contrast, no genetic structuring (or locations) was observed broadcasting Stephanocoenia intersepta, indicating substantial vertical connectivity. Our findings demonstrate within same differ greatly Bermuda apply only small number species. Overall, argue "deep refuge hypothesis" holds individual during episodic but should not be assumed broader ecosystem-wide phenomenon.

Language: Английский

---

Exploring the Symbiodinium rare biosphere provides evidence for symbiont switching in reef-building corals

The ISME Journal, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 10(11), P. 2693 - 2701

Published: April 19, 2016

Abstract Reef-building corals possess a range of acclimatisation and adaptation mechanisms to respond seawater temperature increases. In some corals, thermal tolerance increases through community composition changes their dinoflagellate endosymbionts (Symbiodinium spp.), but this mechanism is believed be limited the Symbiodinium types already present in coral tissue acquired during early life stages. Compelling evidence for symbiont switching, that is, acquisition novel from environment, by adult colonies, currently lacking. Using deep sequencing analysis rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) PCR amplicons two pocilloporid species, we show consistent with de novo environment following consecutive bleaching events. Most these newly detected symbionts remained rare biosphere (background occurring below 1% relative abundance), one type reached abundance ~33%. Two belong thermally resistant clade D, suggesting switching may have been driven Our results are particularly important given maternal mode transmission study which generally high specificity. These findings will cause paradigm shift our understanding coral-Symbiodinium symbiosis flexibility environmental corals.

Language: Английский

---

Sexual production of corals for reef restoration in the Anthropocene

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 635, P. 203 - 232

Published: Nov. 29, 2019

Coral-reef ecosystems are experiencing frequent and severe disturbance events that reducing global coral abundance potentially overwhelming the natural capacity for reefs to recover. While mitigation strategies climate warming other anthropogenic disturbances implemented, restoration programmes being established worldwide as an additional conservation measure minimise loss enhance recovery. Current efforts predominantly rely on asexually produced fragments—a process with inherent practical constraints genetic diversity conserved spatial scale achieved. Because resilience of communities has hitherto relied regular renewal recruits, scaling-up would benefit from greater use sexually corals, which is approach gaining momentum. Here we review present state knowledge scleractinian sexual reproduction in context reef restoration, a focus broadcast-spawning corals. We identify key gaps bottlenecks currently constrain production corals consider feasibility using reef- reef-system scales.

Language: Английский

---

The Essentials of Marine Biotechnology

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: March 16, 2021

Coastal countries have traditionally relied on the existing marine resources (e.g., fishing, food, transport, recreation, and tourism) as well tried to support new economic endeavors (ocean energy, desalination for water supply, seabed mining). Modern societies lifestyle resulted in an increased demand dietary diversity, better health well-being, biomedicines, natural cosmeceuticals, environmental conservation, sustainable energy sources. These societal needs stimulated interest of researchers diverse underexplored environments promising sources biomolecules biomass, they are addressed by emerging field (blue) biotechnology. Blue biotechnology provides opportunities a wide range initiatives commercial pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, feed, agricultural, related industries. This article synthesizes essence, opportunities, responsibilities, challenges encountered outlines attainment valorization directly derived or bio-inspired products from organisms. First, concept bioeconomy is introduced. Then, diversity bioresources including overview most prominent organisms their potential biotechnological uses described. followed introducing methodologies exploration these main use case scenarios food agronomy, bioremediation climate change, materials, healthcare, well-being sectors. The key aspects fields legislation funding provided, with emphasis importance communication stakeholder engagement at all levels development. Finally, vital overarching concepts, such quadruple helix Responsible Research Innovation principle highlighted important follow within field. authors this review collaborating under European Commission-funded Cooperation Science Technology (COST) Action Ocean4Biotech – transdisciplinary networking platform focus study state affairs.

Language: Английский

---

The coral microbiome: towards an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of coral–microbiota interactions

FEMS Microbiology Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 47(2)

Published: March 1, 2023

Corals live in a complex, multipartite symbiosis with diverse microbes across kingdoms, some of which are implicated vital functions, such as those related to resilience against climate change. However, knowledge gaps and technical challenges limit our understanding the nature functional significance complex symbiotic relationships within corals. Here, we provide an overview complexity coral microbiome focusing on taxonomic diversity functions well-studied cryptic microbes. Mining literature indicate that while corals collectively harbour third all marine bacterial phyla, known symbionts antagonists represent minute fraction this these taxa cluster into select genera, suggesting selective evolutionary mechanisms enabled bacteria gain niche holobiont. Recent advances research aimed at leveraging manipulation increase coral's fitness help mitigate heat stress-related mortality discussed. Then, insights potential through microbiota can communicate modify host responses examined by describing recognition patterns, microbially derived epigenome effector proteins gene regulation. Finally, power omics tools used study highlighted emphasis integrated host-microbiota multiomics framework understand underlying during change-driven dysbiosis.

Language: Английский

---

Applying coral breeding to reef restoration: best practices, knowledge gaps, and priority actions in a rapidly evolving field

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 31(7)

Published: April 3, 2023

Reversing coral reef decline requires reducing environmental threats while actively restoring ecological structure and function. A promising restoration approach uses breeding to boost natural recruitment repopulate reefs with genetically diverse communities. Recent advances in predicting spawning, capturing spawn, culturing larvae, rearing settlers have enabled the successful propagation, settlement, outplanting of offspring all world's major regions. Nevertheless, efforts frequently yield low survival, reflecting type III survivorship curve corals poor condition most targeted for restoration. Furthermore, programs are still limited spatial scale species diversity. Here, we highlight four priority areas research cooperative innovation increase effectiveness restoration: (1) expanding number sites species, (2) improving broodstock selection maximize genetic diversity adaptive capacity restored populations, (3) enhancing culture conditions improve health before after outplanting, (4) scaling up infrastructure technologies large‐scale Prioritizing these will enable practitioners address at relevant scales, re‐establish self‐sustaining ensure long‐term success interventions. Overall, aim guide community toward actions opportunities that can rapid technical larval breeding, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, ultimately achieve reefs.

Language: Английский

---