Natural thermal stress-hardening of corals through cold temperature pulses in the Thai Andaman Sea

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

Published: June 12, 2023

Abstract Thermal variability can render corals stress resistant through a phenomenon coined as “stress-hardening induced by environmental priming”. Fluctuations that involve high temperature peaks have been commonly investigated, however, the effects of stress-hardening stimulus generated cold-water pulses has rarely studied. Offshore island reefs in Andaman Sea offer an ideal natural setting to study these effects, cooling water internal waves induce strong with peak intensity January June and absence August November. While western shores are exposed this stimulus, eastern remain sheltered. This examined (1) whether from were more heat compared stimulus-sheltered conspecifics (2) trait last stimulus. We quantified thermal resistance two ecologically important coral species, Pocillopora sp. Porites sp., shores, during seasons. Coral bleaching photosynthetic efficiency algal symbionts measured response variables after short-term assay (24-48 h, 34 °C) assess resistance. Stress responses all stimulus-exposed either undetectable (during season presence) or very weak absence), while shore responded strongly irrespective season. Hence, was overall greater originating shore, but it slightly diminished absence, emphasizing relevance recurrence maintaining trait. exemplify fluctuating low successfully corals. suggests priming stimuli do not necessarily need transgress certain upper thresholds, also touch on lower thresholds be effective. Even more, we argue might represent safer regime, since warming-stress accumulation avoided. More research is required obtain better understanding priming, current findings should encourage development artificial approaches enhance reef restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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Genet identity and season drive gene expression in outplanted Acropora palmata at different reef sites.

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

Published: May 13, 2024

Coral reefs are experiencing decreases in coral cover due to anthropogenic influences. restoration is addressing this decline by outplanting large volumes of corals onto reef systems. Understanding how outplanted react at a transcriptomic level different outplant locations over time important, as it will highlight habitat affects the host and influences physiological measures. In study, dynamics four genets Acropora palmatawere assessed year three sites Florida Keys. Genet identity was more important than sampling or site, with differing levels baseline immune protein production key drivers. Once accounting for genet, enriched growth processes were identified winter, increased survival expression found summer. The effect site small, hypothesized differences autotrophic versus heterotrophic dependent on depth. We hypothesize that genotype an consideration restoration, gene could play role survivorship growth. Additionally, during cooler winter months may be beneficial higher processes, allowing establishment outplants system.

Language: Английский

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Thermal preconditioning modulates coral physiology and heat tolerance: A multi-species perspective

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

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Global warming threatens reef-building corals by challenging their natural adaptive capacity. Therefore, interventions such as stress hardening thermal preconditioning could become crucial for survival. Stress-hardening approaches recognize that organisms living in thermally variable environments are better able to withstand marine heat waves. However, a systematic assessment of effects on the baseline physiology and tolerance across coral species is lacking. We assessed changes six stony ( Galaxea fascicularis, Porites rus, Acropora muricata, Montipora digitata , Stylophora pistillata ) three treatments stable-high 29 °C variable-high with daily oscillation ± 1.5 °C, compared stable-ambient 26 °C. quantified photosynthetic efficiency bleaching intensity before after short-term assay up 30 days later. success was observed nearly all preconditioned corals, but increases were species-specific. The greatest increase recorded G. fascicularis A. muricata responses reduced over 80 %. In contrast, regimes had minor S. making it least receptive this intervention. After days, most stress-hardened demonstrated higher survival recovery rates than conspecifics from regime. Notably, both affected physiology, especially branching species, indicated tissue paling decreased efficiency. conclude implementing protocols will require careful consideration species-specific receptiveness evaluation potential trade-offs can be inflicted post-conditioning shifts physiological baselines.

Language: Английский

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Consistent Monthly Reproduction and Completion of a Brooding Coral Life Cycle through Ex Situ Culture

Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 218 - 218

Published: Feb. 2, 2023

The continuing impact of local and global stressors on coral reefs worldwide is prompting the exploration novel approaches aimed at mitigating improving bleak future projections for corals. Ex situ aquaculture has potential to provide a standardized supply source corals support active intervention-based research endeavours as well complementary reef restoration initiatives. To effectively achieve this coral, however, ex systems need be able efficiently maintain reproducing colonies, have capacity each life stage. We monitored monthly reproduction brooding Pocillopora acuta, one year in two distinct systems: natural seawater-supplied flow-through system (FTS) an artificial recirculating (RAS). colonies both showed relatively consistent over time (on average > 70% all month) maintained diel patterns even after 1 culture. Coral colony reproductive output timing (i.e., lunar day release) differed between some, but not all, seasons. Planulae released from settled grew size ~16 months culture, resulting production F2 generation within systems. This demonstrated that use could directly applied research, restoration, conservation decline marred by climate change impacts.

Language: Английский

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Long-term preconditioning of the coral Pocillopora acuta does not restore performance in future ocean conditions

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 42(5), P. 1079 - 1096

Published: Aug. 22, 2023

Abstract There is overwhelming evidence that tropical coral reefs are severely impacted by human induced climate change. Assessing the capability of reef-building corals to expand their tolerance limits survive projected trajectories critical for protection and management. Acclimation mechanisms such as developmental plasticity may provide one means which could cope with ocean warming acidification. To assess potential preconditioning enhance thermal in Pocillopora acuta , colonies were kept under three different scenarios from settlement 17 months old: present day (0.9 °C-weeks (Degree Heating Weeks), + 0.75 °C annual, 400 ppm pCO 2 ) mid-century (2.5 °C-weeks, 1.5 685 end century (5 900 conditions. Colonies present-day scenario subsequently introduced conditions six weeks during summer maxima examine if preconditioned (reared these elevated conditions) had a higher physiological performance compared naive individuals. Symbiodiniaceae density chlorophyll concentrations significantly lower groups, declines symbiont observed over six-week accumulated heat stress all treatments. Maximum photosynthetic rate was suppressed while minimum saturating irradiances highest 2050 pre-exposed individuals parents originating specific populations. The results this study indicate temperature did not P. . However, variations trait responses effects on found among treatment groups provides differential capacity phenotypic populations have valuable applications future restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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Trade-offs in a reef-building coral after six years of thermal acclimation

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

Published: July 23, 2023

Abstract Evidence is growing that reef-building corals have the capacity to acclimate new and challenging thermal conditions by increasing their resistance. This raises hopes for future persistence in a warming world. However, potential trade-offs accompany such resistance gains, remained largely unexplored. We provide first report on physiological globally abundant ecologically relevant coral species ( Pocillopora acuta) , after long-term exposure an elevated temperature of 31 °C comparison conspecifics cultivated under cooler ‘control’ regime. At both temperatures, consistently appeared be visually healthy throughout six-year period. °C, had increased metabolic rates (both respiration photosynthesis) resulted higher biomass accumulation total energy reserves compared from ambient Further, composition host tissues shifted favor lipid build-up, suggesting altered mechanism storage. The increase growth came at cost declining skeletal formation density skeletons. In long-term, this trade-off will result lower extension can entail major ramifications reef building processes community composition. Moreover, symbionts were physiologically more compromised with overall reserves, possibly indicating stronger exploitation potentially stress resilience. Our study provides insights into successful acclimation involved prioritization storage over growth, entailing demands symbionts. observation 6-year does not align observations short-term studies, where temperatures caused depletion tissue lipids corals, which highlights importance studying organisms biological scales. Further investigations biologically scales how they unfold acute heat help comprehensive picture trajectory. Importantly, these also improve interventions aimed resilience anticipate use preconditioning treatments stress-hardening. Graphical abstract

Language: Английский

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Long-term coral microbial community acclimatization is associated with coral survival in a changing climate

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(9), P. e0291503 - e0291503

Published: Sept. 22, 2023

The plasticity of some coral-associated microbial communities under stressors like warming and ocean acidification suggests the microbiome has a role in acclimatization corals to future conditions. Here, we evaluated potential four Hawaiian coral species ( Porites compressa , lobata Montipora capitata Pocillopora acuta ) over 22-month mesocosm experiment. were exposed one treatments: control, acidification, warming, or combined Over study, 33–67% died experienced loss most live tissue coverage treatments while only 0–10% control. Among survivors, responded chronic treatment two ways: (1) differed between control treatment, suggesting capacity for acclimatization, (2) did not significantly differ treatment. first strategy was observed both associated with higher survivorship compared M . P which exhibited second strategy. Interestingly, community responses independent physiology. These findings indicate may confer resilience climate change. However, genets that survived hosted different from those died, survivors conferred resilience. Thus, even among inflexible communities, individuals already be tolerant suggest could play an important persistence underlie change-driven shifts composition.

Language: Английский

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Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals deep molecular landscapes in stony coral Montipora clade

Frontiers in Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Introduction: Coral reefs, among the most invaluable ecosystems in world, face escalating threats from climate change and anthropogenic activities. To decipher genetic underpinnings of coral adaptation resilience, we undertook comprehensive transcriptome profiling two emblematic species, Montipora foliosa capricornis, leveraging PacBio Iso-Seq technology. These species were strategically selected for their ecological significance taxonomic proximity within Anthozoa class. Methods: Our study encompassed generation pristine transcriptomes, followed by thorough functional annotation via diverse databases. Subsequently, quantified transcript abundance scrutinized gene expression patterns, revealing notable distinctions between species. Results: Intriguingly, shared orthologous genes identified across a spectrum highlighting substantial conservation scleractinian corals. Importantly, subset genes, integral to biomineralization processes, emerged as exclusive corals, shedding light on intricate evolutionary history. Furthermore, discerned pronounced upregulation linked immunity, stress response, oxidative-reduction processes M. relative capricornis. findings hint at presence more robust mechanisms maintaining internal equilibrium effectively navigating external challenges, underpinning its potential advantage. Beyond elucidating our research underscores urgency preserving diversity populations. Discussion: insights hold promise informed strategies aimed safeguarding these imperiled ecosystems, bearing economic significance. In synthesis, seamlessly integrates genomic inquiry with relevance, bridging gap molecular imperative conserve reefs mounting threats.

Language: Английский

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Resilience in a time of stress: revealing the molecular underpinnings of coral survival following thermal bleaching events

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

Published: July 3, 2024

Coral bleaching events from thermal stress are increasing globally in duration, frequency, and intensity. Bleaching occurs when a coral’s algal symbionts expelled, resulting loss of color. While can result mortality, some corals survive, reacquire their symbionts, recover. In this study, we experimentally bleached Montipora capitata to examine molecular physiological signatures intrinsic differences between that recover (resilient) compared those die (susceptible). All were collected the same bay monitored for eight months post-bleaching identify genets exhibiting long-term resilience survival. Using an integrated systems-biology approach included quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics, 16S rRNA microbiome, total lipids, symbiont community composition density, explored molecular-level mechanisms tolerance experimental pre- identified predictive biomarkers distinguish resilient susceptible before thermal-induced events. Prior stress, characterized by more diverse microbiome increased abundances proteins essential carbon nitrogen acquisition strategies, retention acquisition, pathogen resistance. Susceptible had early signs rejection resorted using urea uptake pathways nitrogen. Further, prior amplified after bleaching, suggesting these may be deterministic fate thermally bleached. Our results have important implications future reefs, revealing factors necessary surviving thermally-induced identifying promising diagnostic biomarker candidates coral reef management restoration applications.

Language: Английский

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Ex situ spawning, larval development, and settlement in the massive reef-building coral Porites lobata in Palau

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

Published: Aug. 19, 2024

Abstract Reproduction, embryological development, and settlement of corals are critical for survival coral reefs through larval propagation. Yet, many species corals, a basic understanding the early life-history stages is lacking. In this study, we report our observations ex situ reproduction in massive reef-building Porites lobata across two years. Spawning occurred April May, on first day after full moon with at least hours darkness between sunset moonrise, rising tide. Only small proportion observed had mature gametes or spawned (17 – 35%). Eggs were 185 311 μm diameter, spherical, homogenous, provisioned 95 155 Symbiodiniaceae algae. Males before females, fertilization rates high 2 egg release. P. larvae elliptical, approximately 300 long, symbiotic. Just days fertilization, swam near bottom culture dishes competent to settle. Settlers began calcification metamorphosis, tentacles developed 10 attachment. Our contrast previous studies by suggesting an abbreviated pelagic period , which could lead isolation some populations. The thermal tolerance broad geographic range suggest locally adapt wide environmental conditions, especially if retained. results study can inform future work reproduction, biology, dispersal, recruitment have ecological advantage over less resilient under climate change.

Language: Английский

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