Toward bio‐optical phenotyping of reef‐forming corals using Light‐Induced Fluorescence Transient‐Fast Repetition Rate fluorometry

Limnology and Oceanography Methods, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. 172 - 191

Published: Jan. 27, 2022

Abstract Active chlorophyll a fluorometry is well‐established tool for noninvasively diagnosing coral functional state, but has not yet been developed as rapid phenotyping (functional screening) platform agriculture and forestry. Here, we present proof‐of‐concept using Light‐Induced Fluorescence Transient‐Fast Repetition Rate (LIFT‐FRRf) to identify photobiological‐based phenotypes in the context of rapidly scaling propagation practices on northern Great Barrier Reef. For example, resolving light niche plasticity inform transplantation, identifying functionally diverse colonies maximize stock selection. We first used optically laboratory‐reared corals endosymbiont (Symbiodiniaceae) isolates develop approach integrating FRRf instantaneous kinetic parameters (light harvesting, electron turnover rates) light‐dependent (dynamic “quenching” terms, saturating intensity [ E K ]). Subsequent field‐based LIFT‐FRRf from selective (2‐4 m depth) reef habitat revealed that widely topographically dispersed plating Acropora taxa exhibited broad ( variance) underpinned by multiple were predominantly differentiated minimum capacity; fluorometer configurations cannot resolve will thus likely have more limited capacity phenotypes. As such, potential terms variants across environments (growth, transplantation). In contrast, Pocillopora verrucosa , Echinopora lamellosa ) with relatively restricted topographic dispersion less only single phenotypes, thereby imposing constraints propagation. discuss core technical, operational, conceptual steps required sophisticated platforms.

Language: Английский

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The role and risks of selective adaptation in extreme coral habitats

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: July 28, 2023

Abstract The alarming rate of climate change demands new management strategies to protect coral reefs. Environments such as mangrove lagoons, characterized by extreme variations in multiple abiotic factors, are viewed potential sources stress-tolerant corals for assisted evolution and propagation. However, biological trade-offs adaptation extremes poorly known. Here, we investigate the reef-building Porites lutea thriving both reef sites show that stress-tolerance comes with compromises genetic energetic mechanisms skeletal characteristics. We observe reduced diversity gene expression variability corals, a disadvantage under future harsher selective pressure. find density, thickness higher porosity skeletons from mangroves, symptoms metabolic energy redirection stress response functions. These findings demonstrate need caution when utilizing human interventions, current survival may compromise competitive fitness.

Language: Английский

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Contrasting the thermal performance of cultured coral endosymbiont photo-physiology

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 561, P. 151865 - 151865

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Rapid Shifts in Bacterial Communities and Homogeneity of Symbiodiniaceae in Colonies of Pocillopora acuta Transplanted Between Reef and Mangrove Environments

Frontiers in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Oct. 25, 2021

It has been proposed that an effective approach for predicting whether and how reef-forming corals persist under future climate change is to examine populations thriving in present day extreme environments, such as mangrove lagoons, where water temperatures can exceed those of reef environments by more than 3°C, pH levels are acidic (pH < 7.9, often below 7.6) O2 concentrations regularly considered hypoxic (<2 mg/L). Defining the physiological features these "extreme" corals, well their relationships with the, symbiotic, organisms within microbiome, could increase our understanding will into future. To better understand coral-microbe potentially underpin coral persistence we therefore conducted a 9-month reciprocal transplant experiment, whereby specimens Pocillopora acuta were transplanted between adjacent sites on northern Great Barrier Reef. Bacterial communities associated P. native environment dominated Endozoicomonas, while Symbiodiniaceae members Cladocopium genus. In contrast, colonies site exhibited highly diverse bacterial no dominating members, Durusdinium. All survived 9 months after being from reef-to-mangrove, mangrove-to-reef (as control transplants), during this time there significant changes communities, but not or photo-physiological functioning. reef-to-mangrove varied, sometimes rapid shifts including loss "core" began resemble corals. also changed original composition, remained different Our data demonstrates strongly influenced environmental conditions, whereas remain stable.

Language: Английский

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Heat‐evolved algal symbionts enhance bleaching tolerance of adult corals without trade‐off against growth

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(24), P. 6945 - 6968

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

Ocean warming has caused coral mass bleaching and mortality worldwide the persistence of symbiotic reef-building corals requires rapid acclimation or adaptation. Experimental evolution coral's microalgal symbionts followed by their introduction into is one potential method to enhance thermotolerance. Heat-evolved generalist species, Cladocopium proliferum (strain SS8), were exposed elevated temperature (31°C) for ~10 years, introduced four genotypes chemically bleached adult fragments scleractinian coral, Galaxea fascicularis. Two acquired SS8. The new persisted 5 months experiment enhanced thermotolerance, compared with that inoculated wild-type C. strain. Thermotolerance SS8-corals was similar from same colony hosting homologous symbiont, Durusdinium sp., which naturally heat tolerant. However, SS8-coral exhibited faster growth recovered cell density photochemical efficiency more quickly following chemical inoculation under ambient relative Durusdinium-corals. Mass spectrometry imaging suggests algal pigments involved in photobiology oxidative stress greatest contributors thermotolerance differences between heat-evolved versus proliferum. These may have increased photoprotection symbionts. This first laboratory study show (G. fascicularis) can be via uptake exogenously supplied, symbionts, without a trade-off against temperature. Importantly, remained moderate abundance 2 years after inoculation, suggesting long-term stability this novel symbiosis benefits

Language: Английский

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