Long sediment-laden algal turf likely impairs coral recovery on Florida’s coral reefs

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(4), P. 1109 - 1120

Published: July 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Chromosome-level genome assemblies and genetic maps reveal heterochiasmy and macrosynteny in endangered Atlantic Acropora

BMC Genomics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Nov. 20, 2024

Abstract Background Over their evolutionary history, corals have adapted to sea level rise and increasing ocean temperatures, however, it is unclear how quickly they may respond rapid change. Genome structure genetic diversity contained within highlight adaptive potential. Results We present chromosome-scale genome assemblies linkage maps of the critically endangered Atlantic acroporids, Acropora palmata A. cervicornis . Both were resolved into 14 chromosomes with gene content colinearity. Repeats chromosome arrangements largely preserved between species. The family Acroporidae genus exhibited many phylogenetically significant expansions. Macrosynteny decreased phylogenetic distance. Nevertheless, scleractinians shared six 21 cnidarian ancestral groups as well numerous fission fusion events compared other distantly related cnidarians. Genetic constructed from one 16 families using a genotyping array. consensus span 1,013.42 cM 927.36 for , respectively. species high genome-wide recombination rates (3.04 3.53 cM/Mb) pronounced sex-based differences, known heterochiasmy, 2 2.5X higher estimated in female maps. Conclusions Together, we here are first detailed look at genomic landscapes acroporids. These data sets revealed that capacity acroporids not limited by rates. sister maintain macrosynteny few genes sequence divergence act reproductive barriers them. In hybridization two yields an F1 hybrid fertility despite levels colinearity genomes. these resources now enable association studies discovery quantitative trait loci, tools can aid conservation

Language: Английский

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Assisted sexual coral recruits show high thermal tolerance to the 2023 Caribbean mass bleaching event

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(9), P. e0309719 - e0309719

Published: Sept. 18, 2024

Assisted sexual coral propagation, resulting in greater genet diversity via genetic recombination, has been hypothesized to lead more adaptable and, hence, resilient restored populations compared common clonal techniques. Coral restoration efforts have resulted substantial of 'Assisted Recruits' (i.e., juvenile corals derived from assisted reproduction; AR) multiple species outplanted reefs or held situ nurseries across many locations the Caribbean. These AR provided context evaluate their relative resilience co-occurring during 2023 marine heat wave unprecedented duration and intensity that affected entire Populations six AR, most ranging age 1-4 years, were surveyed five regions mass bleaching season (Aug-Dec), alongside groups compare prevalence related mortality. Comparison included conspecific adult colonies as available, but also extant assemblages which conspecifics rare lacking, well small, propagated fragments. recruits had significantly lower impacts (overall pooled ~ 10%) than typically comprised larger (~ 60-100% depending on species). In addition, small fragmentation (rather propagation) two showed susceptibility intermediate between wild adults. Overall, exhibited high resistance under stress exposure up exceeding Degree Heating Weeks 20°C-weeks. As throughout globe are subject increasingly frequent intense heatwaves, activities include reproduction seeding can make an important contribution sustain populations.

Language: Английский

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Coral recruitment in mesophotic coral ecosystems is lower and taxonomically distinct from shallow environments at Reunion Island, southwestern Indian Ocean

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Coral larvae increase nitrogen assimilation to stabilize algal symbiosis and combat bleaching under increased temperature

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(11), P. e3002875 - e3002875

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

Rising sea surface temperatures are increasingly causing breakdown in the nutritional relationship between corals and algal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae), threatening basis of coral reef ecosystems highlighting critical role reproduction maintenance. The effects thermal stress on metabolic exchange (i.e., transfer fixed carbon photosynthates from symbiont to host) during sensitive early life stages, however, remains understudied. We exposed symbiotic Montipora capitata larvae Hawaiʻi high temperature (+2.5°C for 3 days), assessed rates photosynthesis respiration, used stable isotope tracing (4 mM 13 C sodium bicarbonate; 4.5 h) quantify metabolite exchange. While did not show any signs bleaching experience declines survival settlement, depression was significant under temperature, indicated by a 19% reduction respiration rates, but with no change photosynthesis. Larvae showed evidence maintained translocation major photosynthate, glucose, symbiont, there reduced metabolism glucose through central glycolysis). larval host invested nitrogen cycling increasing ammonium assimilation, urea metabolism, sequestration into dipeptides, mechanism that may support maintenance stress. Host assimilation via dipeptide synthesis appears be limitation Symbiodiniaceae, we hypothesize contributes retention favoring photosynthate host. Collectively, our findings indicate although these susceptible diverting energy maintain population density, photosynthesis, allow avoid highlights potential stage specific responses

Language: Английский

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Genome assemblies and genetic maps highlight chromosome-scale macrosynteny in Atlantic acroporids

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 23, 2023

Abstract Background Corals belong to the Cnidaria, an early branching phylum of metazoans. Over course their long evolutionary history, they have adapted changing environments, such as rising sea levels and increasing ocean temperatures. While history speaks capacity, it is less clear how quickly may respond rapid changes. A critical aspect adaptive capacity structure genome genetic diversity contained within. Findings Here, we present chromosome-scale assemblies linkage maps two critically endangered coral species, Acropora palmata A. cervicornis, extant Atlantic acroporid corals. Genomes both species were resolved into 14 chromosomes with comparable assembly sizes ( , 287Mb; cervicornis 305Mb). Gene content, repeat gene collinearity macrosynteny largely preserved between acroporids but a 2.5 Mb inversion 1.4 translocation detected chromosome pairs. Macrosynteny decreased when comparing Pacific acroporids. Paracentric inversions whole arms characterized hyacinthus specifically. In larger context cnidarian evolution, four another scleractinian chromosome-resolved retained six 21 ancestral groups, while also privately sharing numerous ALG fission fusion events compared other distantly related cnidarians. Genetic built using 30K genotyping array 105 offspring in one family for 154 across 16 families . The consensus map spans 1,013.42 cM includes 2,114 informative markers. 927.36 4,859 exhibited similarly high sex-averaged genome-wide recombination rates (3.53 cM/Mb 3.04 cM/Mb, respectively) relative animals. our gamete-specific maps, found pronounced sex-based differences recombination, known heterochiasmy, this simultaneous hermaphrodite, showing 2-2.5X higher eggs sperm. Conclusions genomic resources presented here are first kind available species. These data sets revealed that corals not limited by rates, exhibiting heterochiasmy. Nevertheless, sister maintain them. few large-scale rearrangements deserve further study potential cause fertilization barriers Together, now enable association studies discovery quantitative trait loci; tools can aid conservation these

Language: Английский

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Coral recruitment in the Toliara region of southwest Madagascar: Spatio‐temporal variability and implications for reef conservation

Marine Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 45(2)

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Abstract Investigating coral recruitment is critical to better understand replenishment and resilience capacities of reef ecosystems improve their conservation. Here, we examined the spatio‐temporal patterns influence confamilial adult cover in region Toliara, southwest Madagascar. Terracotta tiles were immersed from October late January over a 3‐year period (2018–2021) at 10 stations located on major habitats. Overall rates relatively high compared those other reefs Southwestern Indian Ocean, ranging 219.20 recruits.m −2 2018–2019 156.30 2020–2021. Recruit assemblages dominated by Acroporidae (45.5%) Pocilloporidae (45.0%), whereas Poritidae (1.9%) “other” recruits (3.6%) rarely recorded. Recruitment varied among habitats, with higher patch (187.06 ) outer slope (156.99 inner (108.04 ). With exception recruits, decreased between 2018 2019 2020, followed an increase 2020–2021 that reached or even exceeded initial values some stations. The abundance was positively correlated corals, highlighting potential stock–recruitment recruitment–limitation relationships, aggregative settlement young stages near established colonies, no such relationships recorded for family categories. This study identified sites consider prioritizing protection as hotspots, well degraded could benefit restoration, important caveat any measures should be accompanied alternative income‐generating activities through local involvement suits Malagasy context, locally marine managed areas.

Language: Английский

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Restoration success limited by poor long‐term survival after 9 years of Acropora cervicornis outplanting in the upper Florida Keys, United States

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(4)

Published: March 21, 2024

The degradation of coral reefs has resulted in the expansion reef restoration projects worldwide. In tropical western Atlantic, most efforts focus on outplanting Acropora cervicornis , once a dominant reef‐building branching coral, now found predominantly spatially isolated populations. Hundreds thousands A. colonies are outplanted onto degraded every year; however, long‐term growth and survival data corals is limited. this study, we assessed by determining relationship between surviving outplant populations effort. We surveyed at 11 sites upper Florida Keys that represented gradient effort, defined total number outplants, years, time since last outplanting. negative amount live tissue outplanting, suggesting outplants not longer than 2 years. addition to investigated how past present benthic community metrics such as density diversity may influence survival. positive pre‐restoration density, areas previously supported dense facilitate success. Ultimately, study finds restored decline over time, continued effort needed for persistence species certain areas. This also highlights need more monitoring inform adaptive management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Spatial differences in recruit density, survival, and size structure prevent population growth of stony coral assemblages in southeast Florida

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

Published: May 24, 2024

The size structure of stony coral populations can reveal underlying demographic barriers to population growth or recovery. Recent declines in cover from acute disturbances are well documented, but few studies have assessed and the processes that determine growth. Vital rates, such as recruitment survival, vary spatially temporally response environmental conditions, turn influencing assemblage composition. Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA) is a high-latitude reef system offshore heavily urbanized coastline. Consecutive heat stress events, tissue loss disease (SCTLD), Hurricane Irma caused significant density 2014 2018. recovery potential assemblages influenced by their composition, remnant populations, during inter-disturbance periods. To assess viability remaining ECA, we quantified variation recruit density, abundance, structure, composition across depth latitude at permanent sites over 3 years (2019–2022) when no occurred. We found spatial decoupling adult colony maintains preponderance small colonies skewed structure. At close shore where was higher, there limited evidence survival recruits, while large were sampled relatively high, recruitment. majority (>75%) recruits Siderastrea siderea , frequency distributions positively coefficient suggesting high recruit/juvenile mortality little into larger classes. Porites astreoides generally lognormal mesokurtic, particularly closer shore, transition between Skewness decreased moving Montastraea cavernosa S. Recruit diversity also increased offshore, most species uncommon throughout study area. suggest low mortality, inshore, even periods, limit southeast Florida.

Language: Английский

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Coral larvae employ nitrogen sequestration mechanisms to stabilize carbon provisioning from algal symbionts under increased temperature

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 8, 2024

Abstract Rising sea surface temperatures are increasingly causing breakdown in the nutritional relationship between corals and algal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae), threatening basis of coral reef ecosystems highlighting critical role reproduction maintenance. The effects thermal stress on metabolic exchange (i.e., transfer fixed carbon photosynthates from symbiont to host) during sensitive early life stages, however, remains understudied. We exposed symbiotic Montipora capitata larvae Hawaiʻi high temperature (+2.5°C for 3 days), assessed rates photosynthesis respiration, used stable isotope tracing (4mM 13 C sodium bicarbonate; 4.5 h) quantify metabolite exchange. While did not show any signs bleaching experience declines survival settlement, depression was significant under temperature, indicated by a 19% reduction respiration rates, but with no change photosynthesis. Larvae showed evidence maintained translocation major photosynthate, glucose, symbiont, there reduced metabolism glucose through central glycolysis). larval host invested nitrogen cycling increasing ammonium assimilation, urea metabolism, sequestration into dipeptides, mechanism that may support maintenance stress. Host assimilation via dipeptide synthesis appears be limitation Symbiodiniaceae, outcome population growth retention carbon, effectively simulating photosynthate host. Collectively, our findings indicate although these susceptible they can combat diverting energy maintain density, photosynthesis, translocation.

Language: Английский

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