Direct observation and quantitative characterization of chemotactic behaviors in Caribbean coral larvae exposed to organic and inorganic settlement cues

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 24, 2025

Upon their arrival in the water column, coral larvae use physical and chemical cues to navigate toward a suitable habitat begin settlement process. To engineer substrates that influence settlement, it is important have quantitative data about types concentrations of chemicals elicit desired behavioral responses before after contact with substrate. Here, we quantified morphological (Colpophyllia natans Orbicella faveolata) crustose coralline algae exudates (CCA) ions found skeletons using chemotactic assays microfluidic channels. Multiple each channel were tracked over 30 min quantify overall attraction or repulsion presence various dissolved cues. Larvae showed $${\text{MgC}}{\text{l}}_{2}$$ , both $${\text{CaC}}{\text{l}}_{2}$$ CCA exudates, $${\text{SrC}}{\text{l}}_{2}$$ depending on concentration. The changes exhibited by individual investigated as well. Using particle tracking methods larval behavior, typically straight swimming C. increased turning behavior regions high associated local searching, while they decreased near . We also shrink length when exposed 50× seawater concentration calcium, potential stress escape response, these elongated response benthic crawling. These results highlight value direct observation understanding interplay between environment. Incorporating such calcium into artificial can specific larvae, thereby enhancing contributing reef restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

Mitigating Algal Competition with Fouling-Prevention Coatings for Coral Restoration and Reef Engineering

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 5808 - 5817

Published: April 15, 2025

Coral reefs are undergoing unprecedented degradation due to rising ocean temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and coastal pollution. Despite conservation efforts, including marine protected areas sustainable fishing practices, the magnitude of these challenges calls for innovative approaches repair restore coral reefs. In this study, we explore application bioinspired materials address challenge algal competition, a key bottleneck effective restoration approaches. We develop optimize slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS), as fouling-prevention coating tailored reef engineering. Through aquarium experiments in situ trials on O'ahu, Hawai'i, assess effectiveness coatings mitigating competition facilitating growth. Our results demonstrate that PDMS-based SLIPS significantly reduce coverage compared commercial aragonite-based surfaces, with up 70% reduction observed over 12-week deployment period situ. also coral-guards, which substrates customized fragment outplanting. Coral-guards facilitate tissue growth Stylophora pistillata fragments, without competitive turf These hold promise advancing engineering hybrid targeted gardening

Language: Английский

Saving coral reefs: significance and biotechnological approaches for coral conservation

Advanced Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(4)

Published: Nov. 22, 2024

Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems that provide valuable services to coastal communities worldwide. However, both local and global anthropogenic stressors, threaten the coral-algal symbiosis enables reef formation. This breakdown of symbiotic relationship, known as bleaching, is often triggered by cumulative cell damage. UV heat stress commonly implicated in but other factors may also play a role. To address coral loss, active restoration already underway many critical regions. Additionally, researchers exploring assisted evolution methods for greater resilience projected climate change. review provides an overview mechanisms underlying bleaching response strategies being pursued loss. Despite necessity ongoing research all aspects this field, action on change remains crucial long-term survival reefs.

Language: Английский