Journal articles on the topic 'Corals'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Corals.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Corals.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Siringoringo, Rikoh Manogar, and Tri Aryono Hadi. "THE CONDITION OF CORAL REEFS IN WEST BANGKA WATER." Marine Research in Indonesia 39, no. 2 (November 19, 2015): 63–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.14203/mri.v39i2.86.
Full textAbstract:
Bangka Island is well known as the world’s largest tin producer. The inland and offshore tin mining has profound effects on the coastal environment, resulting in the high sedimentation in the water. Many corals suffered physiological damage due to low light intensity. The distribution of stony corals and the status of coral reefs was surveyed at 6 sites in West Bangka waters in October 2012. A total of 72 species of corals belonging to 33 genera and 12 families were found, and 4 species were distributed at all research sites. The live coral coverage was 36% on average and was categorized as being in fair condition. The coverage was 0% at Kamboja Island where the corals were the most affected by tin mining. The sediment flowed out from tin mining, blocked the light, and settled on the corals’ surface. Consequently, many corals were buried and the live corals decreased. It is obviously necessary to reduce and control the tin mining.
2
Pinzón, Jorge H., Bishoy Kamel, Colleen A. Burge, C. Drew Harvell, Mónica Medina, Ernesto Weil, and Laura D. Mydlarz. "Whole transcriptome analysis reveals changes in expression of immune-related genes during and after bleaching in a reef-building coral." Royal Society Open Science 2, no. 4 (April 2015): 140214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140214.
Full textAbstract:
Climate change is negatively affecting the stability of natural ecosystems, especially coral reefs. The dissociation of the symbiosis between reef-building corals and their algal symbiont, or coral bleaching, has been linked to increased sea surface temperatures. Coral bleaching has significant impacts on corals, including an increase in disease outbreaks that can permanently change the entire reef ecosystem. Yet, little is known about the impacts of coral bleaching on the coral immune system. In this study, whole transcriptome analysis of the coral holobiont and each of the associate components (i.e. coral host, algal symbiont and other associated microorganisms) was used to determine changes in gene expression in corals affected by a natural bleaching event as well as during the recovery phase. The main findings include evidence that the coral holobiont and the coral host have different responses to bleaching, and the host immune system appears suppressed even a year after a bleaching event. These results support the hypothesis that coral bleaching changes the expression of innate immune genes of corals, and these effects can last even after recovery of symbiont populations. Research on the role of immunity on coral's resistance to stressors can help make informed predictions on the future of corals and coral reefs.
3
LUNA ORTEGA, IVONNE, and VICENCIO DE LA CRUZ FRANCISCO. "ENSAMBLES DE MACROALGAS SOBRE SUPERFICIES MUERTAS DE CORALES ESCLERACTINIOS (ANTHOZOA: SCLERACTINIA) EN EL ARRECIFE ORO VERDE, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO." CICIMAR Oceánides 32, no. 1 (June 30, 2017): 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.37543/oceanides.v32i1.192.
Full textAbstract:
Las macroalgas son abundantes en el arrecife Oro Verde, Veracruz pero, hasta ahora, se desconocía su riqueza taxonómica, y se presume que presentan asentamientos en los corales escleractinios hermatípicos. Por ello el presente trabajo investigó qué especies de corales presentaron colonizaciones algales; además, se determinó la composición taxonómica y la similitud de los ensambles de macroalgas entre las especies de corales escleractinios. Se establecieron diez puntos de muestreo de manera sistemática en el arrecife; en cada lugar de estudio se colocó un transecto de banda de 50 x 2 m para localizar y recolectar macroalgas en superficies muertas de corales escleractinios. La frecuencia de aparición de las algas se estimó con base en el total de corales estudiados, así como para cada especie coral. Para explicar similitudes y diferencias significativas de la composición de ensamblajes macroalgales entre especies de corales se aplicaron análisis de similitud y ordenación. Los corales escleractinios con ensambles de algas fueron Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Colpophylia natans, Stephanocoenia intersepta, Porites astreoides, Orbicella annularis, Orbicella faveolata. De un total de 100 colonias coralinas revisadas se determinaron 32 especies de macroalgas, las cuales están representadas en tres divisiones, 10 órdenes y 15 familias. Las macroalgas corticadas, foliosas corticadas y filamentosas fueron las más representadas en especies. Las algas de mayor frecuencia sobre los corales masivos fueron Laurencia obtusa, Amphiroa rigida y Caulerpa chemnitzia. Los corales masivos con mayor número de registros de algas fueron S. siderea (9 especies), M. cavernosa (19) y P. strigosa (17). Los ensambles algales en los corales masivos presentaron baja similitud, sin embargo no se detectaron grupos significativamente disimiles. Solamente S. siderea y M. cavernosa son ligeramente parecidos en la composición ficológica. Los resultados sugieren que los corales masivos del arrecife Oro Verde son vulnerables a la colonización de algas, pero es necesario indagar qué condiciones preceden al asentamiento algal.Macroalgal assemblages on dead surfaces of scleractinian corals (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the Oro Verde reef, Veracruz, MexicoBenthic macroalgae are abundant in the Oro Verde reef but their taxonomic richness was hitherto unknown and it is presumed to present settlements on the massive corals. For this reason, the present work investigated which species of massive corals show algal colonization. Also, their taxonomic composition was determined, and the similarity of the algal assemblages between species of scleractinian corals was measured. Ten sampling points were systematically established in the reef, where a transect band of 50 x 2 m at each site was placed to locate and collect algae fron the dead surfaces of scleractinian corals. The frequency of occurrence of algae species was estimated based on the total number of coral species studied, as well as on each coral species. Similarity and ordination analysis were applied in order to explain similarities and significant differences of the phycological composition among the coral species. Scleractinian corals with algal assemblages were: Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Colpophylia natans, Stephanocoenia intersepta, Porites astreoides, Orbicella annularis, Orbicella faveolata. Thirty-two species of algae were identified from a total of 100 revised coral colonies which are represented in 3 divisions, 10 orders and 15 families. The corticated, foliose corticated and filamentous macroalgae were the most represented species. The most frequent algae on massive corals were Laurencia obtusa, Amphiroa rigida and Caulerpa chemnitzia. Massive corals with higher algal records were S. siderea (9 species), M. cavernosa (19 species) and P. strigosa (17 species). The algal assemblages on the massive corals presented low similarity. However, no significant dissimilar groups were detected. Only S. siderea and M. cavernosa are relatively similar in phycological composition. The results suggest that the massive corals of the Oro Verde reef are vulnerable to the colonization of algae, but it is necessary to investigate the conditions preceding algal settlement.
4
Rouzé, Héloïse, Gaël J. Lecellier, Denis Saulnier, Serge Planes, Yannick Gueguen, Herman H. Wirshing, and Véronique Berteaux-Lecellier. "An updated assessment ofSymbiodiniumspp. that associate with common scleractinian corals from Moorea (French Polynesia) reveals high diversity among background symbionts and a novel finding of clade B." PeerJ 5 (January 5, 2017): e2856. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2856.
Full textAbstract:
The adaptative bleaching hypothesis (ABH) states that, depending on the symbiotic flexibility of coral hosts (i.e., the ability of corals to “switch” or “shuffle” their algal symbionts), coral bleaching can lead to a change in the composition of their associatedSymbiodiniumcommunity and, thus, contribute to the coral’s overall survival. In order to determine the flexibility of corals, molecular tools are required to provide accurate species delineations and to detect low levels of coral-associatedSymbiodinium. Here, we used highly sensitive quantitative (real-time) PCR (qPCR) technology to analyse five common coral species from Moorea (French Polynesia), previously screened using only traditional molecular methods, to assess the presence of low-abundance (background)Symbiodiniumspp. Similar to other studies, each coral species exhibited a strong specificity to a particular clade, irrespective of the environment. In addition, however, each of the five species harboured at least one additionalSymbiodiniumclade, among clades A–D, at background levels. Unexpectedly, and for the first time in French Polynesia, clade B was detected as a coral symbiont. These results increase the number of known coral-Symbiodiniumassociations from corals found in French Polynesia, and likely indicate an underestimation of the ability of the corals in this region to associate with and/or “shuffle” differentSymbiodiniumclades. Altogether our data suggest that corals from French Polynesia may favor a trade-off between optimizing symbioses with a specificSymbiodiniumclade(s), maintaining associations with particular background clades that may play a role in the ability of corals to respond to environmental change.
5
Siringoringo, Rikoh Manogar, and Tri Aryono Hadi. "DIVERSITY OF STONY CORALS IN BANGGAI WATER." Marine Research in Indonesia 38, no. 1 (April 7, 2015): 9–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.14203/mri.v38i1.52.
Full textAbstract:
Banggai waters, located in Central Sulawesi Province, is part of the world’s coral triangle area which is well–known to have the highest diversity on stony corals (Scleractinia). A research on stony corals has been carried out at 9 study sites between June–July 2011, practicing line transect methods and free collection in order to determine the recent condition and diversity of the given coral group. The average of live corals coverage was recorded at 46%(ranging between 24–77%), and categorized as fair condition. The number of coral species found was 194, distributed in 54 genera. The Banggai waters condition was considered good and potential to sustain the corals’growth. Even though so, in several particular areas, there were still threats on coral reefs.
6
Sinutok, Sutinee, Ponlachart Chotikarn, Manasawan Saengsakda Pattaratumrong, Pimrak Moungkeaw, Pathompong Pramneechote, and Mathinee Yucharoen. "Synergistic Effect of Elevated Temperature and Light Stresses on Physiology of Pocillopora acuta from Different Environments." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, no. 6 (June 8, 2022): 790. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jmse10060790.
Full textAbstract:
Increasing levels of greenhouse gases lead to ocean warming, which affects a range of marine organisms. Corals live in a narrow temperature range and become stressed when the temperatures change. Bleaching occurs when the temperature exceeds the coral’s threshold, and can be severe when this is combined with other stressors such as light. In order to understand how temperature and light affect corals in their physiological responses and photosynthetic performance, Pocillopora acuta from Maiton Island (MT) and Panwa Cape (PW), representing different environments, were investigated. The results show that light and temperature had by regime different effects on Symbiodiniaceae photosynthesis and the coral growth rate. There was a synergistic effect of elevated temperature and light on photosynthesis, as observed in the photochemical efficiency and pigment contents, suggesting photo-damage. A higher growth rate in Panwa corals was observed in control, and while elevated temperature reduced coral growth. Elevated temperature affected the Panwa coral less, suggesting that corals from this regime might be able to recover when the temperature returns to normal. This information is important for predicting the coral responses to elevated temperature especially in the summer, as regards the possibility of coral bleaching.
7
Barott, Katie L., Ariana S. Huffmyer, Jennifer M. Davidson, Elizabeth A. Lenz, Shayle B. Matsuda, Joshua R. Hancock, Teegan Innis, Crawford Drury, Hollie M. Putnam, and Ruth D. Gates. "Coral bleaching response is unaltered following acclimatization to reefs with distinct environmental conditions." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, no. 22 (May 28, 2021): e2025435118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2025435118.
Full textAbstract:
Urgent action is needed to prevent the demise of coral reefs as the climate crisis leads to an increasingly warmer and more acidic ocean. Propagating climate change–resistant corals to restore degraded reefs is one promising strategy; however, empirical evidence is needed to determine whether stress resistance is affected by transplantation beyond a coral’s native reef. Here, we assessed the performance of bleaching-resistant individuals of two coral species following reciprocal transplantation between reefs with distinct pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, sedimentation, and flow dynamics to determine whether heat stress response is altered following coral exposure to novel physicochemical conditions in situ. Critically, transplantation had no influence on coral heat stress responses, indicating that this trait was relatively fixed. In contrast, growth was highly plastic, and native performance was not predictive of performance in the novel environment. Coral metabolic rates and overall fitness were higher at the reef with higher flow, salinity, sedimentation, and diel fluctuations of pH and dissolved oxygen, and did not differ between native and cross-transplanted corals, indicating acclimatization via plasticity within just 3 mo. Conversely, cross-transplants at the second reef had higher fitness than native corals, thus increasing the fitness potential of the recipient population. This experiment was conducted during a nonbleaching year, so the potential benefits to recipient population fitness are likely enhanced during bleaching years. In summary, this study demonstrates that outplanting bleaching-resistant corals is a promising tool for elevating the resistance of coral populations to ocean warming.
8
Fong, Jenny, Peggy P. Y. Tang, Lindsey K. Deignan, Jovena C. L. Seah, Diane McDougald, Scott A. Rice, and Peter A. Todd. "Chemically Mediated Interactions with Macroalgae Negatively Affect Coral Health but Induce Limited Changes in Coral Microbiomes." Microorganisms 11, no. 9 (September 9, 2023): 2261. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092261.
Full textAbstract:
Allelopathic chemicals facilitated by the direct contact of macroalgae with corals are potentially an important mechanism mediating coral–macroalgal interactions, but only a few studies have explored their impacts on coral health and microbiomes and the coral’s ability to recover. We conducted a field experiment on an equatorial urbanized reef to assess the allelopathic effects of four macroalgal species (Bryopsis sp., Endosiphonia horrida, Hypnea pannosa and Lobophora challengeriae) on the health and microbiomes of three coral species (Merulina ampliata, Montipora stellata and Pocillopora acuta). Following 24 h of exposure, crude extracts of all four macroalgal species caused significant coral tissue bleaching and reduction in effective quantum yield. The corals were able to recover within 72 h of the removal of extracts, except those that were exposed to L. challengeriae. While some macroalgal extracts caused an increase in the alpha diversity of coral microbiomes, there were no significant differences in the composition and variability of coral microbiomes between controls and macroalgal extracts at each sampling time point. Nevertheless, DESeq2 differential abundance analyses showed species-specific responses of coral microbiomes. Overall, our findings provide insights on the limited effect of chemically mediated interactions with macroalgae on coral microbiomes and the capacity of corals to recover quickly from the macroalgal chemicals.
9
Tran, Cawa. "Coral–microbe interactions: their importance to reef function and survival." Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 6, no. 1 (February 4, 2022): 33–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/etls20210229.
Full textAbstract:
Many different microorganisms associate with the coral host in a single entity known as the holobiont, and their interactions with the host contribute to coral health, thereby making them a fundamental part of reef function, survival, and conservation. As corals continue to be susceptible to bleaching due to environmental stress, coral-associated bacteria may have a potential role in alleviating bleaching. This review provides a synthesis of the various roles bacteria have in coral physiology and development, and explores the possibility that changes in the microbiome with environmental stress could have major implications in how corals acclimatize and survive. Recent studies on the interactions between the coral's algal and bacterial symbionts elucidate how bacteria may stabilize algal health and, therefore, mitigate bleaching. A summary of the innovative tools and experiments to examine host–microbe interactions in other cnidarians (a temperate coral, a jellyfish, two anemones, and a freshwater hydroid) is offered in this review to delineate our current knowledge of mechanisms underlying microbial establishment and maintenance in the animal host. A better understanding of these mechanisms may enhance the success of maintaining probiotics long-term in corals as a conservation strategy.
10
Wild, Christian, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Malik S. Naumann, M. Florencia Colombo-Pallotta, Mebrahtu Ateweberhan, William K. Fitt, Roberto Iglesias-Prieto, et al. "Climate change impedes scleractinian corals as primary reef ecosystem engineers." Marine and Freshwater Research 62, no. 2 (2011): 205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf10254.
Full textAbstract:
Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on our planet. Scleractinian corals function as the primary reef ecosystem engineers, constructing the framework that serves as a habitat for all other coral reef-associated organisms. However, the coral’s engineering role is particularly susceptible to global climate change. Ocean warming can cause extensive mass coral bleaching, which triggers dysfunction of major engineering processes. Sub-lethal bleaching results in the reduction of both primary productivity and coral calcification. This may lead to changes in the release of organic and inorganic products, thereby altering critical biogeochemical and recycling processes in reef ecosystems. Thermal stress-induced bleaching and subsequent coral mortality, along with ocean acidification, further lead to long-term shifts in benthic community structure, changes in topographic reef complexity, and the modification of reef functioning. Such shifts may cause negative feedback loops and further modification of coral-derived inorganic and organic products. This review emphasises the critical role of scleractinian corals as reef ecosystem engineers and highlights the control of corals over key reef ecosystem goods and services, including high biodiversity, coastal protection, fishing, and tourism. Thus, climate change by impeding coral ecosystem engineers will impair the ecosystem functioning of entire reefs.
11
Briggs, Amy A., Anya L. Brown, and Craig W. Osenberg. "Local versus site-level effects of algae on coral microbial communities." Royal Society Open Science 8, no. 9 (September 2021): 210035. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210035.
Full textAbstract:
Microbes influence ecological processes, including the dynamics and health of macro-organisms and their interactions with other species. In coral reefs, microbes mediate negative effects of algae on corals when corals are in contact with algae. However, it is unknown whether these effects extend to larger spatial scales, such as at sites with high algal densities. We investigated how local algal contact and site-level macroalgal cover influenced coral microbial communities in a field study at two islands in French Polynesia, Mo'orea and Mangareva. At 5 sites at each island, we sampled prokaryotic microbial communities (microbiomes) associated with corals, macroalgae, turf algae and water, with coral samples taken from individuals that were isolated from or in contact with turf or macroalgae. Algal contact and macroalgal cover had antagonistic effects on coral microbiome alpha and beta diversity. Additionally, coral microbiomes shifted and became more similar to macroalgal microbiomes at sites with high macroalgal cover and with algal contact, although the microbial taxa that changed varied by island. Our results indicate that coral microbiomes can be affected by algae outside of the coral's immediate vicinity, and local- and site-level effects of algae can obscure each other's effects when both scales are not considered.
12
van Oppen, Madeleine J. H., and Mónica Medina. "Coral evolutionary responses to microbial symbioses." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 375, no. 1808 (August 10, 2020): 20190591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0591.
Full textAbstract:
This review explores how microbial symbioses may have influenced and continue to influence the evolution of reef-building corals (Cnidaria; Scleractinia). The coral holobiont comprises a diverse microbiome including dinoflagellate algae (Dinophyceae; Symbiodiniaceae), bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses, but here we focus on the Symbiodiniaceae as knowledge of the impact of other microbial symbionts on coral evolution is scant. Symbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae has extended the coral's metabolic capacity through metabolic handoffs and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and has contributed to the ecological success of these iconic organisms. It necessitated the prior existence or the evolution of a series of adaptations of the host to attract and select the right symbionts, to provide them with a suitable environment and to remove disfunctional symbionts. Signatures of microbial symbiosis in the coral genome include HGT from Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria, gene family expansions, and a broad repertoire of oxidative stress response and innate immunity genes. Symbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae has permitted corals to occupy oligotrophic waters as the algae provide most corals with the majority of their nutrition. However, the coral–Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis is sensitive to climate warming, which disrupts this intimate relationship, causing coral bleaching, mortality and a worldwide decline of coral reefs. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of the microbiome in host evolution’.
13
Wooldridge, S. A. "A new conceptual model of coral biomineralisation: hypoxia as the physiological driver of skeletal extension." Biogeosciences Discussions 9, no. 9 (September 18, 2012): 12627–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bgd-9-12627-2012.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. That corals skeletons are built of aragonite crystals with taxonomy-linked ultrastructure has been well understood since the 19th century. Yet, the way by which corals control this crystallization process remains an unsolved question. Here, I outline a new conceptual model of coral biominerationsation that endeavours to relate known skeletal features with homeostatic functions beyond traditional growth (structural) determinants. In particular, I propose that the dominant physiological driver of skeletal extension is night-time hypoxia, which is exacerbated by the respiratory oxygen demands of the coral's algal symbionts (= zooxanthellae). The model thus provides a new narrative to explain the high growth rate of symbiotic corals, by equating skeletal deposition with the "work-rate" of the coral host needed to maintain a stable and beneficial symbiosis. In this way, coral skeletons are interpreted as a continuous (long-run) recording unit of the stability and functioning of the coral-algae endosymbiosis. After providing supportive evidence for the model across multiple scales of observation, I use coral core data from the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) to highlight the disturbed nature of the symbiosis in recent decades, but suggest that its onset is consistent with a trajectory that has been followed since at least the start of the 1900's. In concluding, I explain how the evolved capacity of the cnidarians (which now includes modern reef corals) to overcome the metabolic limitation of hypoxia via skeletogenesis, may underpin the sudden appearance in the fossil record of calcified skeletons at the Precambrian-Cambrian transition – and the ensuing rapid appearance of most major animal phyla.
14
Wooldridge, S. "A new conceptual model of coral biomineralisation: hypoxia as the physiological driver of skeletal extension." Biogeosciences 10, no. 5 (May 2, 2013): 2867–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-2867-2013.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. That corals skeletons are built of aragonite crystals with taxonomy-linked ultrastructure has been well understood since the 19th century. Yet, the way by which corals control this crystallization process remains an unsolved question. Here, I outline a new conceptual model of coral biomineralisation that endeavours to relate known skeletal features with homeostatic functions beyond traditional growth (structural) determinants. In particular, I propose that the dominant physiological driver of skeletal extension is night-time hypoxia, which is exacerbated by the respiratory oxygen demands of the coral's algal symbionts (= zooxanthellae). The model thus provides a new narrative to explain the high growth rate of symbiotic corals, by equating skeletal deposition with the "work-rate" of the coral host needed to maintain a stable and beneficial symbiosis. In this way, coral skeletons are interpreted as a continuous (long-run) recording unit of the stability and functioning of the coral–algae endosymbiosis. After providing supportive evidence for the model across multiple scales of observation, I use coral core data from the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) to highlight the disturbed nature of the symbiosis in recent decades, but suggest that its onset is consistent with a trajectory that has been followed since at least the start of the 1900s. In concluding, I outline how the proposed capacity of cnidarians (which includes modern reef corals) to overcome the metabolic limitation of hypoxia via skeletogenesis also provides a new hypothesis to explain the sudden appearance in the fossil record of calcified skeletons at the Precambrian–Cambrian transition – and the ensuing rapid appearance of most major animal phyla.
15
Edmunds, P. J., R. Steneck, R. Albright, R. C. Carpenter, A. P. Y. Chui, T. Y. Fan, S. Harii, et al. "Geographic variation in long-term trajectories of change in coral recruitment: a global-to-local perspective." Marine and Freshwater Research 66, no. 7 (2015): 609. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf14139.
Full textAbstract:
Compiled abundances of juvenile corals revealed no change over time in the Pacific, but a decline in the Caribbean. Using these analyses as a rationale, we explored recruitment and post-settlement success in determining coral cover using studies in the Caribbean (St John, Bonaire) and Pacific (Moorea, Okinawa). Juvenile corals, coral recruits, and coral cover have been censused in these locations for years, and the ratio of juvenile (J) to recruiting (R) corals was used to measure post-settlement success. In St John and Bonaire, coral cover was stable but different between studies, with the ratio of the density of juveniles to density of recruits (J:R) ~0.10; in Moorea, declines in coral cover were followed by recovery that was related to the density of juvenile corals 3 years before, with J:R ~0.40; and in Okinawa, a decline in coral cover in 1998 was followed by a slow recovery with J/R ~0.01. Coral cover was associated positively with juvenile corals in St John, and in Okinawa, the density of juvenile corals was associated positively with recruits the year before. J:R varied among studies, and standardised densities of juvenile corals declined in the Caribbean, but increased in the Pacific. These results suggest that differences in the post-settlement success may drive variation in coral community structure.
16
Traylor-Knowles, Nikki. "Heat stress compromises epithelial integrity in the coral, Acropora hyacinthus." PeerJ 7 (February 26, 2019): e6510. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6510.
Full textAbstract:
It is well understood that heat stress causes bleaching in corals. Much work has focused on the way heat stress disrupts corals’ symbiotic relationship with endosymbiotic algal dinoflagellate, Symbiodiniaceae, a process called bleaching. However, the damage to the coral tissue that occurs during the bleaching process and, importantly, the factors that contribute to subsequent recovery, are not well understood. I hypothesize that the host tissue damage created by heat stress initiates cascades of wound healing factors that maintain epithelial integrity. These factors may be found to contribute to the coral’s potential capacity to recover. In this study, I present evidence that heat stress causes damage to the coral host tissue and that collagen is present in the gastrodermis of heat-stressed corals. I found that, during the early stages of bleaching, an important transcription factor for wound healing, Grainyhead, is expressed throughout the gastrodermis, where the cellular and tissue rearrangements occur. Lastly, using phylogenetics, I found that cnidarian Grainyhead proteins evolved three distinct groups and that evolution of this protein family likely happened within each taxonomic group. These findings have important implications for our study of coral resiliency in the face of climate change.
17
Patten, Nicole L., Justin R. Seymour, and James G. Mitchell. "Flow cytometric analysis of virus-like particles and heterotrophic bacteria within coral-associated reef water." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 86, no. 3 (April 10, 2006): 563–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315406013476.
Full textAbstract:
Using flow cytometry, two distinct populations of virus-like particles (VLP) and heterotrophic bacteria were defined within the 12 cm water layer immediately overlying healthy, diseased and dead acroporid corals. Bacterial abundances were similar in overlying water for all coral types, however, VLP were 30% higher above diseased corals than healthy or dead corals. Mean virus to bacteria ratios (VBR) were up to 30% higher above diseased corals than above healthy or dead coral or in distant water. Concomitant with increasing VLP concentrations within 5 cm of coral surfaces, VBR distributions were generally highest above healthy and diseased coral and depressed above dead coral. These results suggest fundamental shifts in the VLP and bacterial community in water associated with diseased corals.
18
Griffith, J. K. "Occurrence of aggressive mechanisms during interactions between soft corals (Octocorallia : Alcyoniidae) and other corals on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia." Marine and Freshwater Research 48, no. 2 (1997): 129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf96086.
Full textAbstract:
This study found that on two reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, most coral colonies within 10 cm of a soft coral colony were interacting to the detriment of one or both colonies. Soft corals were more likely to interact with neighbouring hard corals than with other soft corals. The relative infrequency of ties indicated that two coral colonies were rarely equal competitively. Allelopathy and simple overgrowth were the major aggressive mechanisms of alcyoniids. Soft corals tended to simply overgrow neighbouring hard corals but used allelochemicals more frequently when the neighbour was another soft coral. Other factors influencing the type of aggressive mechanism used included the size of the neighbouring colony. The importance of this to a coral reef community after events such as Acanthaster planci infestations is discussed.
19
Runtuwene, Stevania M., Indri S. Manembu, Noldy G. F. Mamangkey, Antonius P. Rumengan, Darus Paransa, and Hariyani Sambali. "LAJU PERTUMBUHAN KARANG Acropora formosa YANG DITRANPLANTASI PADA MEDIA TEMPEL DAN MEDIA GANTUNG." JURNAL PESISIR DAN LAUT TROPIS 8, no. 1 (January 15, 2020): 98. http://dx.doi.org/10.35800/jplt.8.1.2020.27553.
Full textAbstract:
Corals are associations of millions polyps that live in symbiotic way with zooxanthellae algae. Most of the polyps live in colonies and form a reef. Coral reefs are rich ecosystems that contain diverse organisms living in it. However, the threat of damage increases with the pressure that enters the waters. Coral transplantation is one way of restorations that can be done to restore damaged corals by cutting live corals and then planting them in places where the corals have been damaged. This study aims to determine the growth rate of Acropora formosa corals that were transplanted on fixed and hanging media. Data was collected in Malalayang Coast Waters, Manado City, North Sulawesi. The research took place for seven months. Beginning with the coral transplant activity of Acropora formosa on fixed and hanging media, then continued with monitoring every month for six months. Transplanted corals were measured using a ruler to determine the length of the coral from the beginning to the end of the study and then the data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The results obtained for the average growth rate of Acropora formosa corals transplanted on fixed media were 0.8 cm and on hanging media 1.8 cm. Overall growth rate averaged 1.3 cm.Keywords: Coral, Coral Reef, Transplant, Acropora formosa.
20
Young, Benjamin D., Stephanie M. Rosales, Ian C. Enochs, Graham Kolodziej, Nathan Formel, Amelia Moura, Gabrielle L. D’Alonso, and Nikki Traylor-Knowles. "Different disease inoculations cause common responses of the host immune system and prokaryotic component of the microbiome in Acropora palmata." PLOS ONE 18, no. 5 (May 25, 2023): e0286293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286293.
Full textAbstract:
Reef-building corals contain a complex consortium of organisms, a holobiont, which responds dynamically to disease, making pathogen identification difficult. While coral transcriptomics and microbiome communities have previously been characterized, similarities and differences in their responses to different pathogenic sources has not yet been assessed. In this study, we inoculated four genets of the Caribbean branching coral Acropora palmata with a known coral pathogen (Serratia marcescens) and white band disease. We then characterized the coral’s transcriptomic and prokaryotic microbiomes’ (prokaryiome) responses to the disease inoculations, as well as how these responses were affected by a short-term heat stress prior to disease inoculation. We found strong commonality in both the transcriptomic and prokaryiomes responses, regardless of disease inoculation. Differences, however, were observed between inoculated corals that either remained healthy or developed active disease signs. Transcriptomic co-expression analysis identified that corals inoculated with disease increased gene expression of immune, wound healing, and fatty acid metabolic processes. Co-abundance analysis of the prokaryiome identified sets of both healthy-and-disease-state bacteria, while co-expression analysis of the prokaryiomes’ inferred metagenomic function revealed infected corals’ prokaryiomes shifted from free-living to biofilm states, as well as increasing metabolic processes. The short-term heat stress did not increase disease susceptibility for any of the four genets with any of the disease inoculations, and there was only a weak effect captured in the coral hosts’ transcriptomic and prokaryiomes response. Genet identity, however, was a major driver of the transcriptomic variance, primarily due to differences in baseline immune gene expression. Despite genotypic differences in baseline gene expression, we have identified a common response for components of the coral holobiont to different disease inoculations. This work has identified genes and prokaryiome members that can be focused on for future coral disease work, specifically, putative disease diagnostic tools.
21
Ben, Hoang Xuan, Vo Si Tuan, and Phan Kim Hoang. "Assessment of effective coral rehabilitated in Marine Protected Areas of south Vietnam." Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ biển 20, no. 4A (April 11, 2021): 61–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.15625/1859-3097/15647.
Full textAbstract:
More than 20,300 fragment corals belonging to 24 species, eight genera and six families were rehabilitated in marine protected areas of south Vietnam. Mean survival rates of coral fragments ranged from 60–97.7%, the average growth rate of the branched corals was 4.8 mm/month meanwhile the foliose coral was 1.9 mm/month. The survival and growth rate of corals are different among areas because each coral species has different biological characteristics, structure colonies and due to differences in natural conditions each area. The results showed that the growth rate of corals will return to normal after 4 months rehabilitation. The factors affected the effective coral rehabilitation including: Coral reef predators, spatial competition among species, environmental conditions change due to human’s activities; and other factors such as hydrodynamic regimes, cutting fragment corals cause its injury damage. The rehabilitation and protection activities of coral reefs in marine protected areas should be continued and expanded, contributing to the protection of biodivesity, marine resource and sustainable coral reefs ecosystem development.
22
Blackall, Linda L., Ashley M. Dungan, Leon M. Hartman, and Madeleine JH van Oppen. "Probiotics for corals." Microbiology Australia 41, no. 2 (2020): 100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ma20025.
Full textAbstract:
Coral reefs are found in warm, oligotrophic, euphotic marine waters and occupy <0.1% of the sea floor, yet support ~25% of earth’s marine species. They provide critical ecosystem services to human populations including coastal protection, food (e.g. fish) and personal income by way of fishing and tourism. However, recent pan-tropical coral ‘bleaching’ (the paling of corals due to the separation of corals and their algal endosymbionts following exposure to environmental stress) has led to coral mortality, thus jeopardising the persistence of reef ecosystems. Consequently, it has been recognised that direct interventions may be needed for coral survival, and ‘manipulation of the community composition of microbial organisms associated with the coral holobiont’ has been proposed as one solution. Such probiotic strategies would allow corals to adapt rapidly (days to weeks) to changing environmental conditions, relative to mutation and selection taking many years. This review describes corals, and research that has demonstrated the potential of probiotic approaches to protect them from environmental stressors.
23
Hanh, Nguyen Kim, Pham Thi Mien, and Doan Nhu Hai. "Life cycles of coral-associated-viruses related to diffrent health states collected in Hang Rai - Ninh Thuan, Vietnam." TAP CHI SINH HOC 40, no. 2 (November 6, 2018): 223–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.15625/0866-7160/v40n2.8819.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years, coral associated viruses could play primal role in protecting coral health, yet their ecological traits are poorly investigated. In this study, the abundance and life cycles (lysogeny and lytic) of viruses associated with contrasted coral health states (healthy and bleached) were studied and compared. In addition, the density of bacteria and Symbiodium were also be determined by epifluorescence microscopy. The results showed that viral abundance increased 1.2 times and bacterial abundance decreased 0.6 times in healthy corals compared to bleached ones. The number of Symbiodinium significantly reduced 5.6 times in bleached corals compared to healthy corals. One of the most important results in this study was the coexistence of the both lysogenic and lytic viruses in healthy coral. The fraction of lysogenic bacteria was 2 times higher in healthy corals than in bleached ones. Healthy corals carried 3.5-fold more viral production than the diseased ones. Overall, the results showed that, in healthy state, corals might be a favorable environment for viral infection, promoting the development of both temperate and virulent phages. This coexistence might be crucial for coral viability through the complex links with their coral-associated bacterial hosts.
24
Nanami, Atsushi. "Spatial distribution and feeding substrate of butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) on an Okinawan coral reef." PeerJ 8 (August 4, 2020): e9666. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9666.
Full textAbstract:
Coral reefs support diverse communities, and relationships among organisms within these communities are quite complex. Among the relationships, clarifying the habitat association and foraging substrate selection relative to habitat characteristics is of central importance to ecology since these two aspects are the fundamentals for survival and growth of organisms. The aims of the present study were to investigate the spatial distribution and feeding substrate selection of 14 species of butterflyfishes on an Okinawan coral reef in Japan. Species-specific spatial distributions varied with habitat characteristics (e.g., encrusting corals, massive corals, branching Acropora and rock). For feeding substrates, seven species of obligate coral polyp feeders exhibited significant positive selectivity for tabular Acropora, corymbose Acropora, encrusting corals and massive corals but significant negative selectivity for dead corals, coral rubble and rock. Among six species of facultative coral polyp feeders, two species exhibited significant positive selectivity for encrusting corals and massive corals, and one species showed significant positive selectivity for dead corals as feeding substrates. In contrast, three species exhibited no significant positive selectivity for any feeding substrates. A similar result was observed for one non-coralline invertebrate feeder. Among the 14 species, 12 species showed a relatively close relationship between spatial distribution and feeding substrates but the remaining two species did not. The present study is the first study to elucidate species-specific spatial distributions and feeding substrate selection of butterflyfishes on an Okinawan coral reef. The results of the present study suggest that diverse substrates, including various types of living corals (especially encrusting corals, massive corals, tabular Acropora, corymbose Acropora and branching Acropora) and non-coralline substrates (rock) are the primary determinants of spatial distributions and feeding sites. Thus, diverse substrates are important for maintaining high species diversity of butterflyfishes and changes of the substrates would likely change the spatial patterns and foraging behavior, although species-specific responses may be found, depending on their species-specific dependence on vulnerable substrates.
25
Subhan, Beginer, Didit Aditya Saputra, Dondy Arafat, Hawis Madduppa, Inna Puspa Ayu, Ayu Ervinia, Nebuchadnezzar Akbar, et al. "In situ transplantation of soft coral Sarcophyton sp in concrete pool." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1033, no. 1 (June 1, 2022): 012033. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1033/1/012033.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Coral habitats; however, this is not easy. Strong currents, temperature fluctuations, competition with other organisms, predators, and food availability are problems in coral transplantation. The obstacles are eliminated by transplanting coral under controlled environmental conditions. This study was aimed to determine the growth of transplanted soft corals Sarcophyton sp in a concrete pool. The increase in length, width, and area of coral fragments only occurs at certain times. The growth rate of length, width, and soft corals fluctuates every week and tends to decline. The growth rate reached the highest at week-6, 0.388 cm for the coral without additional feeding and 0.744 cm for corals with supplementary feed. However, after that, the rate of growth fluctuated again. Despite the decline in development, all soft corals transplanted had a 100% survival rate until the end of life care. In addition, all the soft corals were in healthy condition.
26
Lafratta, A., J. Fromont, P. Speare, and C. H. L. Schönberg. "Coral bleaching in turbid waters of north-western Australia." Marine and Freshwater Research 68, no. 1 (2017): 65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf15314.
Full textAbstract:
We report severe bleaching in a turbid water coral community in north-western Australia. Towed still imagery was used for a benthic survey near Onslow in March 2013 to assess thermal stress in hard and soft corals, finding 51–68% of all corals fully bleached in 10–15-m water depth. Tabulate or foliaceous Turbinaria was the locally most abundant hard coral (46%), followed by massives such as faviids and poritids (25%) and encrusting coral (12%), thus over 80% of the local corals could be considered to be bleaching resistant. All coral groups were bleached in similar proportions (massive hard corals 51%<soft corals 60%<encrusting hard corals 62%<Turbinaria 62%<‘others’ 68%). NOAA data and environmental assessments suggest previous recurrent thermal stress throughout the last 10 years in the study area. On the basis of these records this stress apparently changed the community structure from bleaching vulnerable species such as Acropora, leaving more tolerant species, and reduced coral cover. We could see no evidence for adaptation or acclimation of corals in this area. Towed still imagery was found to be a suitable means for rapid and large-scale bleaching studies in shallow, turbid areas where diving can be difficult or impossible.
27
ADI INTYAS, Candra, Djoko KOESTIONO, Agus TJAHJONO, Suhartini SUHARTINI, and Fitria DINA RIANA. "MANAGEMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF ORNAMENTAL CORAL WILDLIFE ON PULAU KAUNG VILLAGE AS HOBBYIST TOURISM." GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites 47, no. 2 (June 30, 2023): 523–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.30892/gtg.47220-1052.
Full textAbstract:
The coral reef ecosystem is one of the biodiversity that the most significant component of coral reefs, namely corals, has been traded in various sizes. Not only beneficial for marine ecotourism, but the current trend is that ornamental coral has become a legal hobby. These hobbyists make coral one of the main components that decorate their aquariums because of their attractive shapes and colors. However, several types of hard corals are included in CITES Appendix II, so their permits and trading activities are stringent. Indonesia has more than 14% of the World's reefs and is known as the coral triangle area, where one of the centers for ornamental coral production is the Bali Strait. One of the suppliers established in 2015 is PT Lombok Samudera Abadi (PT LSA). PT LSA is a supplier of wildlife ornamental coral products in West Nusa Tenggara that fulfills orders from exporters who are members of the Indonesian Ornamental Coral Farmers Association (KPKHN) for exporters in Bali and Banyuwangi and the Association of Indonesian Ornamental Coral and Fish Association (AKKII) for exporters in Jakarta. The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of corals utilization at PT. LSA and its impact on sustainability. The study's results showed the level of utilization of corals by PT. LSA in Pulau Kaung Village delivered an average actual production of 1,862 individuals /month, which means it does not exceed the maximum production value (CMSY = 3,743 individuals/month) and JTB (2,995 individuals/month). The actual corals harvesting average of 133 trips is still below the optimum harvesting effort (EMSY = 211 trips), so this condition still shows that over-exploited has not occurred in the area with a utilization rate of 0.48 which is still in the moderate status, which means that utilization efforts can be increased. There are 36 hard corals and 9 soft corals taken from nature. Besides corals utilization, PT. LSA also engages in CSR activities by offering restocking from corals transplants in particular areas and training for academics or coastal communities. However, not all restocking is successful, primarily because of seasonal factors that can impact the corals' health. In light of this, more investigation is required.
28
Moynihan, Molly A., Shahrouz Amini, Nathalie F. Goodkin, Jani T. I. Tanzil, J. Q. Isaiah Chua, Gareth N. Fabbro, Tung-Yung Fan, Daniela N. Schmidt, and Ali Miserez. "Environmental impact on the mechanical properties of Porites spp. corals." Coral Reefs 40, no. 3 (March 8, 2021): 701–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-021-02064-3.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractDespite the economic and ecological importance of corals’ skeletal structure, as well as their predicted vulnerability to future climate change, few studies have examined the skeletal mechanical properties at the nanoscale. As climate change is predicted to alter coral growth and physiology, as well as increase mechanical stress events (e.g., bioerosion, storm frequency), it is crucial to understand how skeletal mechanical properties change with environmental conditions. Moreover, while material properties are intimately linked to the chemical composition of the skeleton, no previous study has examined mechanical properties alongside carbonate geochemical composition. Using Porites coral cores from a wide range of reef environments (Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan), we correlated coral’s micro-mechanical properties with chemical composition. In contrast to previous mechanical measurements of reef-building corals, we document unprecedented variability in the hardness, stiffness, and micro-cracking stress of Porites corals across reef environments, which may significantly decrease the structural integrity of reef substrate. Corals from environments with low salinity and high sedimentation had higher organic content and fractured at lower loads, suggesting that skeletal organic content caused enhanced embrittlement. Within individual coral cores, we observed seasonal variability in skeletal stiffness, and a relationship between high sea surface temperature, increased stiffness, and high-density. Regionally, lower Sr/Ca and higher Mg/Ca coincided with decreased stiffness and hardness, which is likely driven by increased amorphous calcium carbonate and skeletal organic content. If the coral is significantly embrittled, as measured here in samples from Singapore, faster erosion is expected. A decrease in skeletal stiffness will decrease the quality of reef substrate, enhance the rate of bioerosion by predators and borers, and increase colony dislodgement, resulting in widespread loss of structural complexity.
29
Nava, Héctor, Carlos Alberto Emmanuel García-Madrigal, and José Luis Carballo. "Relationships between boring sponge assemblages and the availability of dead coral substrate on Mexican Pacific coral reefs." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 99, no. 4 (October 26, 2018): 795–805. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315418000899.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractBoring sponges are an important component of bioeroder assemblages in tropical coral reefs. They are considered as a potential threat for coral reef health, and the increase of dead corals is expected to promote their abundance. The relationship between the availability of dead coral substrata and the development of boring sponge assemblages was evaluated during El Niño 2015–16 at five reefs from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. Environment and substrate quality were assessed. Overall, environment conditions remained normal in relation to previous studies in the area. Only water temperature showed unusually high records at all sites and coincided with bleaching and mortality of corals, possibly caused by the effects of the El Niño event. Abundance of boring sponges in dead corals and coral rubble was lower than during previous studies. Although sponge abundance was not directly related to cover of both dead corals and coral rubble, cover of dead corals showed a high correlation with the variation in the structure of sponge assemblages across sites.Cliona vermiferadominated sponge assemblages at all sites, and its abundance was high under conditions of high cover of live corals and low cover of bleached corals. Since overall sponge abundance responded in a similar way, these results suggest that boring sponge assemblages dominated byC. vermiferaare enhanced by conditions favourable for corals. Our results imply that El Niño events in the Mexican Pacific are not likely to cause immediate population outbreaks of boring sponges.
30
Liao, Zhiheng, Kefu Yu, Yinghui Wang, Xueyong Huang, and Lijia Xu. "Coral-algal interactions at Weizhou Island in the northern South China Sea: variations by taxa and the exacerbating impact of sediments trapped in turf algae." PeerJ 7 (March 13, 2019): e6590. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6590.
Full textAbstract:
Competitive interactions between corals and benthic algae are increasingly frequent on degrading coral reefs, but the processes and mechanisms surrounding the interactions, as well as the exacerbating effects of sediments trapped in turf algae, are poorly described. We surveyed the frequency, proportion, and outcomes of interactions between benthic algae (turf algae and macroalgae) and 631 corals (genera: Porites, Favites, Favia, Platygyra, and Pavona) on a degenerating reef in the northern South China Sea, with a specific focus on the negative effects of algal contact on corals. Our data indicated that turf algae were the main algal competitors for each surveyed coral genus and the proportion of algal contact along the coral edges varied significantly among the coral genera and the algal types. The proportions of algal wins between corals and turf algae or macroalgae differed significantly among coral genera. Compared to macroalgae, turf algae consistently yielded more algal wins and fewer coral wins on all coral genera. Amongst the coral genera, Porites was the most easily damaged by algal competition. The proportions of turf algal wins on the coral genera increased 1.1–1.9 times in the presence of sediments. Furthermore, the proportions of algal wins on massive and encrusting corals significantly increased with the combination of sediments and turf algae as the algal type. However, the variation in proportions of algal wins between massive and encrusting corals disappeared as sediments became trapped in turf algae. Sediments bound within turf algae further induced damage to corals and reduced the competitive advantage of the different coral growth forms in their competitive interactions with adjacent turf algae.
31
Halperin, Ariel A., Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, and David S. Gilliam. "Effects of excavating-sponge removal on coral growth." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 96, no. 2 (August 11, 2015): 473–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315415001228.
Full textAbstract:
Some excavating sponges are strong competitors for space on coral reefs, able to kill live coral tissue and to overgrow entire coral colonies. Stony corals with excavating sponges can die or become dislodged. To date no restoration efforts to eliminate excavating sponges from live corals have been considered. In this study we examined the effect and remedial potential of removal of the excavating sponge, Cliona delitrix, by monitoring tissue loss of the stony coral Montastrea cavernosa. Thirty-three corals colonized by the sponge were used: 11 as controls, and 22 as treatments in which sponges were removed using hammer and chisel. After sponge removal, resultant cavities in the coral skeletons were filled with common cement or epoxy. Standardized photos of each coral were taken immediately after sponge removal, and at 6 and 12 months afterwards. Results were similar between fill materials and showed a reduction in coral tissue loss in colonies where the sponge was removed. This study demonstrates that eliminating the bioeroding sponge enables potential recovery in affected stony corals after a year. However, 36% of experimental corals showed renewed presence of C. delitrix on the colony surface within a year after removal, demonstrating the extraordinary ability of this sponge to colonize corals. Although the technique used in this study is applicable to enhance modern coral restoration practices by slowing tissue loss, this method is costly, elaborate, and not suitable at a reef-wide scale. Further restoration alternatives and long-term measures to prevent over-colonization of corals by excavating sponges are encouraged.
32
Atmaja, Satya Pratama, Prakas Santoso, Muhamad Gilang Arindra Putra, Fadel Muhammad, Wiwid Andriyani Lestariningsih, Beginer Subhan, and Hawis Madduppa. "What Lies Inside a Dead Coral: Diversity of Reef-Associated Cryptic Crustacean (Crabs: Anomura and Brachyura) from Different Habitat Characteristics in Tidung Islands, Indonesia." Jurnal Ilmiah Perikanan dan Kelautan 15, no. 1 (January 25, 2023): 71–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jipk.v15i1.37679.
Full textAbstract:
Highlight Research The very first attempt to investigated and revealing biodiversity of crustacean crab in coral reef ecosystem at Tidung Island, Indonesia Conservation area (Tidung Kecil) has more abundant crab species than tourism area (Tidung Besar). A microhabitat that suffers anthropogenic pressure may alter the composition of crustacean biodiversity, especially in crab group. Different characteristics and complexity of coral habitat affect the dynamics of cryptic crustacean communities Abstract Recent studies have been widely carried out on the important role and ecological function of coral reefs. However, little attention has been given to small and cryptic crustaceans organisms living within different microhabitat in dead corals. This study aimed to reveal the diversity of crustaceans that inhabit dead corals in Tidung Islands, Indonesia. A total of 134 individuals from 41 species in 13 families were recorded within eight dead corals taken from two different sites. Furthermore, the species identified from Tidung Kecil were significantly different and more diverse than Tidung Besar. It was suggested that differences in anthropogenic pressure between Tidung Besar and Kecil might have an important role in the spread of crab crustaceans’ organisms. Xanthidae from infraorder Brachyura were observed to be the most dominant family, while Galatheidae and Porcellanidae from infraorder Anomura spread almost equally in both sites. Additionally, Psaumis cavipes and Chlorodiella nigra were species with the largest contribution of crab crustaceans’ communities in the death of coral’s ecosystem in the Tidung Islands. This result indicated that dead corals might play a key role in supporting and providing a habitat for crustacean cryptic.
33
Amjad, Shahid, Nuzhat Khan, and Saira Ishaq. "Coral Community: Preliminary Biodiversity Survey of Churna Island, Northern Arabian Sea." April 2020 39, no. 2 (April 1, 2020): 390–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.2002.15.
Full textAbstract:
Biodiversity survey between Cape Monze and Churna Island was carried out for the assessment of coral assemblages in the area. During the present study, diving surveys were conducted to document the living corals that included deep sea coral, Coelenterates, Bryozoans, Gorgonia (Sea Fan), Scleractinian, (Stony Corals) Cnidaria (Hydroids), Porites (Small Polyp Stony), Pocilopora (Cauliflower Corals), Acropora (Hard Corals), sea urchins, sea anemones, coral fish spp, sea slugs, stone fish and bivalves were observed and documented. To have a better understanding of the distribution pattern “Shannon Weiner Biodiversity Index” for species diversity “H” (0.845-1.176) and evenness “J” (0.962-0.937) were calculated, the values indicate that the coral species were evenly distributed and did not show any significant variation in the area. Budding coral communities were observed at the sedimentary rock of Churna in patches, and showed a random distribution behavior all along the surveyed area. Random, scattered and aggregate distribution patterns of corals may be due to the wave beaten physical environment of Churna Island that do not allow sustainable growth of coral communities. Moreover, the high energy waves and water currents destablize and erode the sedimentary substrate on which corals grow. The corals are therefore unable to establish themselves to form a natural reef due to loss of natural living and non-living substrate. The ecology of Churna Island also under the influence of nearby coastal industries, and the Hub River influx causing floods in the SW monsoon period that may destablize rubble and increase the seawater turbidity level. These environmental factors contributing to the deterioration of present day corals, and larval settlement. It may be concluded that biological resources are renewable and can even increase with proper management techniques. Breakwater wall and artificial substrate must be encouraged to further facilitate the growth and development of Corals in the area.
34
Amjad, Shahid, Nuzhat Khan, and Saira Ishaq. "Coral Community: Preliminary Biodiversity Survey of Churna Island, Northern Arabian Sea." April 2020 39, no. 2 (April 1, 2020): 390–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.22581/10.22581/muet1982.2002.15.
Full textAbstract:
Biodiversity survey between Cape Monze and Churna Island was carried out for the assessment of coral assemblages in the area. During the present study, diving surveys were conducted to document the living corals that included deep sea coral, Coelenterates, Bryozoans, Gorgonia (Sea Fan), Scleractinian, (Stony Corals) Cnidaria (Hydroids), Porites (Small Polyp Stony), Pocilopora (Cauliflower Corals), Acropora (Hard Corals), sea urchins, sea anemones, coral fish spp, sea slugs, stone fish and bivalves were observed and documented. To have a better understanding of the distribution pattern “Shannon Weiner Biodiversity Index” for species diversity “H” (0.845-1.176) and evenness “J” (0.962-0.937) were calculated, the values indicate that the coral species were evenly distributed and did not show any significant variation in the area. Budding coral communities were observed at the sedimentary rock of Churna in patches, and showed a random distribution behavior all along the surveyed area. Random, scattered and aggregate distribution patterns of corals may be due to the wave beaten physical environment of Churna Island that do not allow sustainable growth of coral communities. Moreover, the high energy waves and water currents destablize and erode the sedimentary substrate on which corals grow. The corals are therefore unable to establish themselves to form a natural reef due to loss of natural living and non-living substrate. The ecology of Churna Island also under the influence of nearby coastal industries, and the Hub River influx causing floods in the SW monsoon period that may destablize rubble and increase the seawater turbidity level. These environmental factors contributing to the deterioration of present day corals, and larval settlement. It may be concluded that biological resources are renewable and can even increase with proper management techniques. Breakwater wall and artificial substrate must be encouraged to further facilitate the growth and development of Corals in the area.
35
Bonesso, Joshua Louis, William Leggat, and Tracy Danielle Ainsworth. "Exposure to elevated sea-surface temperatures below the bleaching threshold impairs coral recovery and regeneration following injury." PeerJ 5 (August 18, 2017): e3719. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3719.
Full textAbstract:
Elevated sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are linked to an increase in the frequency and severity of bleaching events due to temperatures exceeding corals’ upper thermal limits. The temperatures at which a breakdown of the coral-Symbiodinium endosymbiosis (coral bleaching) occurs are referred to as the upper thermal limits for the coral species. This breakdown of the endosymbiosis results in a reduction of corals’ nutritional uptake, growth, and tissue integrity. Periods of elevated sea surface temperature, thermal stress and coral bleaching are also linked to increased disease susceptibility and an increased frequency of storms which cause injury and physical damage to corals. Herein we aimed to determine the capacity of corals to regenerate and recover from injuries (removal of apical tips) sustained during periods of elevated sea surface temperatures which result in coral stress responses, but which do not result in coral bleaching (i.e., sub-bleaching thermal stress events). In this study, exposure of the species Acropora aspera to an elevated SST of 32 °C (2 °C below the bleaching threshold, 34 °C) was found to result in reduced fluorescence of green fluorescent protein (GFP), reduced skeletal calcification and a lack of branch regrowth at the site of injury, compared to corals maintained under ambient SST conditions (26 °C). Corals maintained under normal, ambient, sea surface temperatures expressed high GFP fluorescence at the injury site, underwent a rapid regeneration of the coral branch apical tip within 12 days of sustaining injury, and showed extensive regrowth of the coral skeleton. Taken together, our results have demonstrated that periods of sustained increased sea surface temperatures, below the corals’ bleaching threshold but above long-term summertime averages, impair coral recovery from damage, regardless of the onset or occurrence of coral bleaching.
36
Kersting, Diego K., and Cristina Linares. "Living evidence of a fossil survival strategy raises hope for warming-affected corals." Science Advances 5, no. 10 (October 2019): eaax2950. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax2950.
Full textAbstract:
Climate change is affecting reef-building corals worldwide, with little hope for recovery. However, coral fossils hint at the existence of environmental stress–triggered survival strategies unreported in extant colonial corals. We document the living evidence and long-term ecological role of such a survival strategy in which isolated polyps from coral colonies affected by warming adopt a transitory resistance phase, in turn expressing a high recovery capacity in dead colony areas. Such processes have been described in fossil corals as rejuvenescence but were previously unknown in extant reef-builder corals. Our results based on 16 years of monitoring show the significance of this process for unexpected recoveries of coral colonies severely affected by warming. These findings provide a link between rejuvenescence in fossil and extant corals and reveal that beyond adaptation and acclimatization processes, modern scleractinian corals show yet undiscovered and highly effective survival strategies that help them withstand and recover from rapid environmental changes.
37
Sikorskaya, Tatyana V. "Coral Lipidome: Molecular Species of Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Betaine Lipids, and Sphingophosphonolipids." Marine Drugs 21, no. 6 (May 30, 2023): 335. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md21060335.
Full textAbstract:
Coral reefs are the most biodiversity-rich ecosystems in the world’s oceans. Coral establishes complex interactions with various microorganisms that constitute an important part of the coral holobiont. The best-known coral endosymbionts are Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates. Each member of the coral microbiome contributes to its total lipidome, which integrates many molecular species. The present study summarizes available information on the molecular species of the plasma membrane lipids of the coral host and its dinoflagellates (phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), ceramideaminoethylphosphonate, and diacylglyceryl-3-O-carboxyhydroxymethylcholine), and the thylakoid membrane lipids of dinoflagellates (phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and glycolipids). Alkyl chains of PC and PE molecular species differ between tropical and cold-water coral species, and features of their acyl chains depend on the coral’s taxonomic position. PS and PI structural features are associated with the presence of an exoskeleton in the corals. The dinoflagellate thermosensitivity affects the profiles of PG and glycolipid molecular species, which can be modified by the coral host. Coral microbiome members, such as bacteria and fungi, can also be the source of the alkyl and acyl chains of coral membrane lipids. The lipidomics approach, providing broader and more detailed information about coral lipid composition, opens up new opportunities in the study of biochemistry and ecology of corals.
38
Lyndby, NH, JB Holm, D. Wangpraseurt, R. Grover, C. Rottier, M. Kühl, and C. Ferrier-Pagès. "Effect of temperature and feeding on carbon budgets and O2 dynamics in Pocillopora damicornis." Marine Ecology Progress Series 652 (October 15, 2020): 49–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps13474.
Full textAbstract:
Studying carbon dynamics in the coral holobiont provides essential knowledge of nutritional strategies and is thus central to understanding coral ecophysiology. In this study, we assessed the carbon budget in Pocillopora damicornis (using H13CO3) as a function of feeding status and temperature stress. We also compared dissolved oxygen (O2) fluxes measured at the colony scale and at the polyp scale. At both scales, O2 production rates were enhanced for fed vs. unfed corals, and unfed corals exhibited higher bleaching and reduced photosynthetic activity at high temperature. Unfed corals exclusively respired autotrophically acquired carbon, while fed corals mostly respired heterotrophically acquired carbon. As a consequence, fed corals excreted on average >5 times more organic carbon than unfed corals. Photosynthate translocation was higher under thermal stress, but most of the carbon was lost via respiration and/or mucus release (42-46% and 57-75% of the fixed carbon for unfed and fed corals, respectively). Such high loss of translocated carbon, coupled to low assimilation rates in the coral tissue and symbionts, suggests that P. damicornis was nitrogen and/or phosphorus limited. Heterotrophy might thus cover a larger portion of the nutritional demand for P. damicornis than previously assumed. Our results suggest that active feeding plays a fundamental role in metabolic dynamics and bleaching susceptibility of corals.
39
Lee, On On, Jiangke Yang, Salim Bougouffa, Yong Wang, Zenon Batang, Renmao Tian, Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, and Pei-Yuan Qian. "Spatial and Species Variations in Bacterial Communities Associated with Corals from the Red Sea as Revealed by Pyrosequencing." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78, no. 20 (August 3, 2012): 7173–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.01111-12.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACTMicrobial associations with corals are common and are most likely symbiotic, although their diversity and relationships with environmental factors and host species remain unclear. In this study, we adopted a 16S rRNA gene tag-pyrosequencing technique to investigate the bacterial communities associated with three stony Scleractinea and two soft Octocorallia corals from three locations in the Red Sea. Our results revealed highly diverse bacterial communities in the Red Sea corals, with more than 600 ribotypes detected and up to 1,000 species estimated from a single coral species. Altogether, 21 bacterial phyla were recovered from the corals, of whichGammaproteobacteriawas the most dominant group, andChloroflexi,Chlamydiae, and the candidate phylumWS3were reported in corals for the first time. The associated bacterial communities varied greatly with location, where environmental conditions differed significantly. Corals from disturbed areas appeared to share more similar bacterial communities, but larger variations in community structures were observed between different coral species from pristine waters. Ordination methods identified salinity and depth as the most influential parameters affecting the abundance ofVibrio,Pseudoalteromonas,Serratia,Stenotrophomonas,Pseudomonas, andAchromobacterin the corals. On the other hand, bacteria such asChloracidobacteriumandEndozoicomonaswere more sensitive to the coral species, suggesting that the host species type may be influential in the associated bacterial community, as well. The combined influences of the coral host and environmental factors on the associated microbial communities are discussed. This study represents the first comparative study using tag-pyrosequencing technology to investigate the bacterial communities in Red Sea corals.
40
Arisudana, Putu Agus, I. Wayan Arthana, and Widiastuti Widiastuti. "Laju Pertumbuhan dan Tingkat Kelangsungan Hidup Transplan Karang Lunak Lobophytum strictum, Sinularia polydactyla dan S. asterolobata Pada Lokasi Budidaya Berbeda." Journal of Marine Research and Technology 4, no. 1 (February 28, 2021): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.24843/jmrt.2021.v04.i01.p01.
Full textAbstract:
Soft corals are the second-largest group of biotas that consist of coral reef ecosystem other than hard corals. The ecology function of soft coral such as a place to live and shelter various types of fish, soft coral also has a high economic value as an export commodity for the ornamental aquarium and the potency in pharmacology. The great economy potency can urge to uncontrolled natural taken. One of the alternatives is by culturing with transplantation method. Environment and different growth responses among soft coral species are the factors that shows the success method research used. The aims of this research were to examine the average growth rates of different transplanted soft coral species, culturing location, and the presence of interaction between different species of transplanted soft coral and culturing location towards growth rates. The average survival rates of different species of transplanted soft corals that cultured in a different location. Culturing location was located inside and outside of Pegametan bay, Buleleng regency. There were three soft coral species Lobophytum strictum, Sinularia polydactyla and S. asterolobata with five replicates each. The soft corals were fragmented with initial size ± 25 cm2 then sewed to the cement substrate. It was placed randomly to the transplant table at different culturing locations. The increased size of each transplanted soft coral species, the number of survivals and environmental parameters were observed in every two weeks for 12 weeks. Results showed that the average growth rates of soft corals significantly differed among species (P<0.05), whereas the average growth rates of transplanted L. strictum were the lowest among others. In contrast, the average growth rates of transplanted S. polydactyla, and S. asterolobata were not significantly different (P = 0.100) at all locations. The average growth rates of all transplanted soft corals were significantly lower when cultured inside the bay (P<0.05). It is found that the different average growth rates of transplanted soft corals were due to the interaction between soft coral species and location. The results also demonstrated that the average survival rates were significantly varied among transplanted soft coral species (P<0.05). All transplanted soft corals cultured outside of the bay reached 100% survival rates. It is suggested that the morphology and anatomy of each soft coral species and environmental conditions contribute to the success of soft corals transplantation.
41
Smith, Jodie E., Uwe Brand, Michael J. Risk, and Henry P. Schwarcz. "Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal events recorded by deep-sea corals." Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 36, no. 4 (April 7, 1999): 511–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e98-110.
Full textAbstract:
Trace-element and stable-isotope analyses were performed on azooxanthellate corals from the North Atlantic, at two different tectonic settings. One set was from Orphan Knoll, near Newfoundland (1700 m depth, 50°25.57'N, 46°22.05'W), the other from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (1200 m depth, 45°14.12'N, 28°34.12'W). The Mid-Atlantic Ridge corals contain significantly greater quantities of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn within their skeletons than the Orphan Knoll corals. The metal concentrations are not homogeneous within the Mid-Atlantic Ridge coral skeletons, but occur as episodic pulses during a decade or two of each coral's lifetime. We believe these metals originated in a hydrothermal discharge zone associated with the Mid-Atlantic spreading centre. If so, it is evidence that the duration of an individual hydrothermal event is from a decade up to 30 years or so. With more specimens of known ages, it may be possible to reconstruct the history of a particular segment of an oceanic spreading centre.
42
Frade, P. R., V. Schwaninger, B. Glasl, E. Sintes, R. W. Hill, R. Simó, and G. J. Herndl. "Dimethylsulfoniopropionate in corals and its interrelations with bacterial assemblages in coral surface mucus." Environmental Chemistry 13, no. 2 (2016): 252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/en15023.
Full textAbstract:
Environmental context Corals produce copious amounts of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a sulfur compound implicated in climate regulation. We studied DMSP concentrations inside corals and unveiled the linkage between DMSP availability and the abundance of DMSP-degrading bacterial groups inhabiting the corals’ surface. Our findings suggest that DMSP mediates the interplay between corals and microbes, highlighting the importance of sulfur compounds for microbial processes in corals and for the resilience of coral reef ecosystems. Abstract Corals produce copious amounts of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a sulfur compound thought to play a role in structuring coral-associated bacterial communities. We tested the hypothesis that a linkage exists between DMSP availability in coral tissues and the community dynamics of bacteria in coral surface mucus. We determined DMSP concentrations in three coral species (Meandrina meandrites, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea) at two sampling depths (5 and 25m) and times of day (dawn and noon) at Curaçao, Southern Caribbean. DMSP concentration (4–409nmolcm–2 coral surface) varied with host species-specific traits such as Symbiodinium cell abundance, but not with depth or time of sampling. Exposure of corals to air caused a doubling of their DMSP concentration. The phylogenetic affiliation of mucus-associated bacteria was examined by clone libraries targeting three main subclades of the bacterial DMSP demethylase gene (dmdA). dmdA gene abundance was determined by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) against a reference housekeeping gene (recA). Overall, a higher availability of DMSP corresponded to a lower relative abundance of the dmdA gene, but this pattern was not uniform across all host species or bacterial dmdA subclades, suggesting the existence of distinct DMSP microbial niches or varying dmdA DMSP affinities. This is the first study quantifying dmdA gene abundance in corals and linking related changes in the community dynamics of DMSP-degrading bacteria to DMSP availability. Our study suggests that DMSP mediates the regulation of microbes by the coral host and highlights the significance of sulfur compounds for microbial processes in coral reefs.
43
Li, Zhuoran, Yushan Li, Wentao Zhu, Xiangbo Liu, Rou-Wen Chen, Aimin Wang, and Xiubao Li. "The Symbiodiniaceae and Bacterial Dynamic Composition of the Coral Echinopora gemmacea on Wuzhizhou Island." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 11, no. 12 (November 29, 2023): 2262. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jmse11122262.
Full textAbstract:
Coral’s susceptibility to bleaching is determined by the strength of the intricate mutual relationships among coral symbionts. However, there is limited knowledge about how the symbiotic members of the scleractinian coral Echinopora gemmacea respond to changes in their surrounding environmental conditions. In this study, we conducted a survey of seawater characteristics in the south and north zones of Wuzhizhou (WZZ) Island, measured symbiotic microalgal density and chlorophyll-a content in the corals, and performed metabarcoding of the Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria communities within coral tissue. Our findings demonstrated that the seawater in the north zone of WZZ Island had higher levels of turbidity, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen content compared to the south zone. This indicated that the corals in the two zones were subjected to distinctive environmental conditions. Analysis of the Symbiodiniaceae composition revealed that Cladocopium sp. C1 and Cladocopium sp. C17 were the dominant species in the southern E. gemmacea, whereas Durusdinium sp. D1a and Cladocopium sp. C17 prevailed in the northern E. gemmacea. Consequently, symbiotic microalgal density and chlorophyll-a content were diminished in the northern E. gemmacea. Furthermore, correlation network analysis revealed the presence of intricate bacterial interactions that potentially mediate coral’s adaptation to environmental stress. This study provides insights into the differences in symbiotic members, including Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria, within E. gemmacea, and contributes to fundamental knowledge for coral conservation efforts.
44
Ben-Haim, Yael, Maya Zicherman-Keren, and Eugene Rosenberg. "Temperature-Regulated Bleaching and Lysis of the Coral Pocillopora damicornis by the Novel Pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69, no. 7 (July 2003): 4236–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.69.7.4236-4242.2003.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT Coral bleaching is the disruption of symbioses between coral animals and their photosynthetic microalgal endosymbionts (zooxanthellae). It has been suggested that large-scale bleaching episodes are linked to global warming. The data presented here demonstrate that Vibrio coralliilyticus is an etiological agent of bleaching of the coral Pocillopora damicornis. This bacterium was present at high levels in bleached P. damicornis but absent from healthy corals. The bacterium was isolated in pure culture, characterized microbiologically, and shown to cause bleaching when it was inoculated onto healthy corals at 25°C. The pathogen was reisolated from the diseased tissues of the infected corals. The zooxanthella concentration in the bacterium-bleached corals was less than 12% of the zooxanthella concentration in healthy corals. When P. damicornis was infected with V. coralliilyticus at higher temperatures (27 and 29°C), the corals lysed within 2 weeks, indicating that the seawater temperature is a critical environmental parameter in determining the outcome of infection. A large increase in the level of the extracellular protease activity of V. coralliilyticus occurred at the same temperature range (24 to 28°C) as the transition from bleaching to lysis of the corals. We suggest that bleaching of P. damicornis results from an attack on the algae, whereas bacterium-induced lysis and death are promoted by bacterial extracellular proteases. The data presented here support the bacterial hypothesis of coral bleaching.
45
Conlan, Jessica A., Melissa M. Rocker, and David S. Francis. "A comparison of two common sample preparation techniques for lipid and fatty acid analysis in three different coral morphotypes reveals quantitative and qualitative differences." PeerJ 5 (August 2, 2017): e3645. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3645.
Full textAbstract:
Lipids are involved in a host of biochemical and physiological processes in corals. Therefore, changes in lipid composition reflect changes in the ecology, nutrition, and health of corals. As such, accurate lipid extraction, quantification, and identification is critical to obtain comprehensive insight into a coral’s condition. However, discrepancies exist in sample preparation methodology globally, and it is currently unknown whether these techniques generate analogous results. This study compared the two most common sample preparation techniques for lipid analysis in corals: (1) tissue isolation by air-spraying and (2) crushing the coral in toto. Samples derived from each preparation technique were subsequently analysed to quantify lipids and their constituent classes and fatty acids in four common, scleractinian coral species representing three distinct morphotypes (Acropora millepora, Montipora crassotuberculata, Porites cylindrica, and Pocillopora damicornis). Results revealed substantial amounts of organic material, including lipids, retained in the skeletons of all species following air-spraying, causing a marked underestimation of total lipid concentration using this method. Moreover, lipid class and fatty acid compositions between the denuded skeleton and sprayed tissue were substantially different. In particular, the majority of the total triacylglycerol and total fatty acid concentrations were retained in the skeleton (55–69% and 56–64%, respectively). As such, the isolated, sprayed tissue cannot serve as a reliable proxy for lipid quantification or identification in the coral holobiont. The in toto crushing method is therefore recommended for coral sample preparation prior to lipid analysis to capture the lipid profile of the entire holobiont, permitting accurate diagnoses of coral condition.
46
Gress, Erika, Tom C. Bridge, Justin Fyfe, and Gemma Galbraith. "Novel Interaction between a Rabbitfish and Black Corals." Oceans 4, no. 3 (July 13, 2023): 236–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/oceans4030016.
Full textAbstract:
Herbivorous fishes play important functional roles in coral reef ecosystems, and their influence on mediating competitive dynamics between corals and macroalgae is well studied. Nonetheless, direct interactions between herbivorous fishes and corals may also be relevant, although these are less studied. Here, we describe a series of observations of schools of the herbivorous streaked rabbitfish (Siganus javus) nibbling on black corals (order Antipatharia) at the SS Yongala wreck, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We provide a hypothesis that may explain this behaviour, which, if confirmed, would represent a mechanism influencing the health of the corals. Moreover, this interaction extends the typical coral–algae competition for space paradigm and furthers knowledge of complex relationships between coral reef organisms.
47
Song, Hong, Syed Raza Mehdi, Yangfan Zhang, Yichun Shentu, Qixin Wan, Wenxin Wang, Kazim Raza, and Hui Huang. "Development of Coral Investigation System Based on Semantic Segmentation of Single-Channel Images." Sensors 21, no. 5 (March 6, 2021): 1848. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s21051848.
Full textAbstract:
Among aquatic biota, corals provide shelter with sufficient nutrition to a wide variety of underwater life. However, a severe decline in the coral resources can be noted in the last decades due to global environmental changes causing marine pollution. Hence, it is of paramount importance to develop and deploy swift coral monitoring system to alleviate the destruction of corals. Performing semantic segmentation on underwater images is one of the most efficient methods for automatic investigation of corals. Firstly, to design a coral investigation system, RGB and spectral images of various types of corals in natural and artificial aquatic sites are collected. Based on single-channel images, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model, named DeeperLabC, is employed for the semantic segmentation of corals, which is a concise and modified deeperlab model with encoder-decoder architecture. Using ResNet34 as a skeleton network, the proposed model extracts coral features in the images and performs semantic segmentation. DeeperLabC achieved state-of-the-art coral segmentation with an overall mean intersection over union (IoU) value of 93.90%, and maximum F1-score of 97.10% which surpassed other existing benchmark neural networks for semantic segmentation. The class activation map (CAM) module also proved the excellent performance of the DeeperLabC model in binary classification among coral and non-coral bodies.
48
Finlay-Jones, H., V. Raoult, D. Harasti, and T. F. Gaston. "What eats a cauliflower coral? An assessment of predation on the endangered temperate soft coral,." Marine and Freshwater Research 73, no. 3 (November 16, 2021): 307–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf21155.
Full textAbstract:
Temperate soft corals are found in many estuaries around the world and often form large habitats in these environments, yet the functional ecology of soft corals is poorly understood. To understand the functional role of a soft coral in temperate ecosystems, we examined the role of the endangered Dendronepthya australis cauliflower coral as habitat for fishes and invertebrates, and whether associated species used the soft coral as a food source. Using Bayesian stable isotope mixing models of δ13C and δ15N values of soft corals and a suite of potential invertebrate consumers, we found that five of eight soft-coral-associated invertebrates were all likely to be feeding almost exclusively on the soft corals. In situ feeding experiments conducted using baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) with soft coral cuttings as ‘bait’ did not identify any larger species as consumers. Fish assemblages studied using remote underwater video systems (RUVS) were diverse in the soft coral habitat and overlapped with assemblages of both sediment and seagrass environments. These results highlighted that these soft corals have a valuable trophic role in estuarine food webs through trophic transfer of nutrients via invertebrate consumers, and that soft coral habitats are used by commercially and recreationally important fishes.
49
Azizah, Disya Shafa, Meutia Samira Ismet, and Nadya Cakasana. "Potential of antagonistic activity from associated bacteria from healthy and bleaching acropora corals of Blitar Waters, East Java, Indonesia." BIO Web of Conferences 106 (2024): 05002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202410605002.
Full textAbstract:
Global warming leads to high coral bleaching phenomena in marine ecosystems. The bleach condition of corals can cause a disease that is enhanced by opportunistic or pathogenic microorganisms. This research aimed to investigate the antagonistic interactions between healthy and bleached coral-associated bacteria. Isolation of coral-associated bacteria was carried out using the spread plate method in half-strength Zobell 2216E medium. Antagonistic activity was observed using a double-layer method, with each layer of medium inoculated with healthy or bleached coral-associated bacteria. The interactions between healthy and bleached coral isolates were analyzed using correspondence analysis. Twenty healthy and 11 bleached coral isolates were found in the six coral samples. Approximately 14 bacterial isolates from healthy corals demonstrated antagonistic (inhibitory) activity against 11 bacterial isolates from bleaching coral samples, with isolate AcD.14 from bleached coral, inhibited by 57.14% of the active isolates from healthy corals. Correspondence analysis resulted in isolate AcD.16, a bleaching coral bacterium with sufficient pathogenicity to elicit an antagonistic response from healthy coral bacteria. This study showed that there is high potential for finding bio-control agents for coral diseases using their natural microbiomes from healthy corals.
50
Randall, CJ, AP Negri, KM Quigley, T. Foster, GF Ricardo, NS Webster, LK Bay, PL Harrison, RC Babcock, and AJ Heyward. "Sexual production of corals for reef restoration in the Anthropocene." Marine Ecology Progress Series 635 (February 6, 2020): 203–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps13206.
Full textAbstract:
Coral-reef ecosystems are experiencing frequent and severe disturbance events that are reducing global coral abundance and potentially overwhelming the natural capacity for reefs to recover. While mitigation strategies for climate warming and other anthropogenic disturbances are implemented, coral restoration programmes are being established worldwide as an additional conservation measure to minimise coral loss and enhance coral recovery. Current restoration efforts predominantly rely on asexually produced coral fragments—a process with inherent practical constraints on the genetic diversity conserved and the spatial scale achieved. Because the resilience of coral communities has hitherto relied on regular renewal with natural recruits, the scaling-up of restoration programmes would benefit from greater use of sexually produced corals, which is an approach that is gaining momentum. Here we review the present state of knowledge of scleractinian coral sexual reproduction in the context of reef restoration, with a focus on broadcast-spawning corals. We identify key knowledge gaps and bottlenecks that currently constrain the sexual production of corals and consider the feasibility of using sexually produced corals for scaling-up restoration to the reef- and reef-system scales.