The Microbiome After Bail-out: Testing Individual Polyps from Pocillopora verrucosa as Models for Coral Microbiology Studies

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Micro-scale in vitro models are essential for the study of model organisms highly reproducible and controlled environments. Coral research grapples with a substantial knowledge gap on micro-scale processes underlying symbiotic interactions holobiont health, which could be addressed through use adapted to microscopic studies. Individual coral polyps separated from their colonies an acute stress-induced bail-out process have been suggested past as miniaturized holobiont. However, changes microbiome associated these after still not completely understood. An aquarium experiment was therefore performed monitor diversity composition microbes bailed-out Pocillopora verrucosa alongside parental fragments over time. Our findings revealed no significant differences immediately following bail-out, 80% microbial members persisting up two weeks, decreasing slightly 60% third week. Notably, despite reduction shared Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), dominant bacterial taxa's relative abundance stayed consistent across both source three weeks. This consistency underscores potential using micropropagates valuable tools microbiological corals. Further enhancements polyp settlement techniques may refine models, bolstering our capacity comprehensive

Language: Английский

---

Microscale sampling of the coral gastric cavity reveals a gut-like microbial community

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

Published: May 20, 2024

Abstract Animal guts contain numerous microbes, which are critical for nutrient assimilation and pathogen defence. While corals other Cnidaria lack a true differentiated gut, they possess gastrovascular cavities (GVCs), semi-enclosed compartments where vital processes such as digestion, reproduction symbiotic exchanges take place. The microbiome harboured in GVCs is therefore likely key to holobiont fitness, but remains severely understudied due challenges of working these small compartments. Here, we developed minimally invasive methodologies sample the GVC coral polyps characterise microbial communities within. We used glass capillaries, low dead volume microneedles, or nylon microswabs gastric individual from six species corals, then applied low-input DNA extraction microliter samples. Microsensor measurements revealed anoxic hypoxic micro-niches, persist even under prolonged illumination with saturating irradiance. These niches enriched putatively microaerophilic facultatively anaerobic taxa, Epsilonproteobacteria. Some core taxa found Lobophyllia hemprichii Great Barrier Reef were also detected conspecific colonies held aquaria, indicating that associations unlikely be transient. Our findings suggest chemically microbiologically similar gut higher Metazoa. Given importance microbiomes mediating animal health, harnessing “gut microbiome” may foster novel active interventions aimed at increasing resilience reefs climate crisis.

Language: Английский

---

Bacterial inoculation manipulates the coral epigenome

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

Published: Oct. 27, 2024

Summary Environmental shifts can elicit epigenetic modifications in corals, which regulate gene expression and physiology, though it remains unclear if associated bacteria also induce such changes. Here, we inoculated nubbins of the coral Pocillopora verrucosa with an opportunistic pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus , and/or a probiotic, Cobetia sp., subjected to heat stress. We discovered that epigenomes responded already after 19 days stress 28 bacterial inoculation. Pathogen led DNA methylation changes not seen other treatments. Notably, probiotic was able mitigate specific glutamate receptor pathway, this correlated increased resilience higher survival rates corals. Importantly, marks persisted even temperature removed, suggesting epigenome acclimation. Thus, bacterial-induced may instigate long-term host resilience.

Language: Английский

---