Dataset Information

Specificity trumps flexibility-location-based stable associations between Symbiodiniaceae genera and Platygyra verweyi (Scleractinia; Merulinidae).

ABSTRACT: This study monitored symbiont communities bi-monthly in native coral cores used in a reciprocal transplantation of the coral Platygyra verweyi over two years (2014-2016) and samples of mother colonies from three locations with variable thermal regimes; our results show that associating with multiple Symbiodiniaceae genera (Cladocopium spp. and Durusdinium spp.) is not a prerequisite for symbiont shuffling. Platygyra verweyi associates with certain Symbiodiniaceae genera based on location. Results of quantitative real-time PCR indicated small-scale temporal changes in Symbiodiniaceae genera compositions from 2014 to 2016; however, these changes were not enough to invoke shuffling or switching, despite degree heating weeks exceeding 6 °C-weeks in 2014 and 4 °C-weeks in 2015, which usually resulted in substantial coral bleaching. Microsatellite analysis of the P. verweyi host showed no genetic differences among the study locations. Our results suggest that P. verweyi undergoes long-term acclimatization and/or adaptation based on microgeographic and local environmental conditionsby altering its combinations of associated Symbiodiniaceae. Results also suggest that shuffling might not be as common a phenomenon as it has been given credit for; corals thrive through specific associations, and many corals could still be vulnerable to climate change-induced stress, despite being promiscuous or able to associate with rare and background Symbiodiniaceae genera.

SUBMITTER: Keshavmurthy S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7207216 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Specificity trumps flexibility-location-based stable associations between Symbiodiniaceae genera and Platygyra verweyi (Scleractinia; Merulinidae).

Keshavmurthy Shashank S Tee Hwee Sze HS Kao Kuo-Wei KW Wang Jih-Terng JT Chen Chaolun Allen CA

PeerJ 20200505

This study monitored symbiont communities bi-monthly in native coral cores used in a reciprocal transplantation of the coral Platygyra verweyi over two years (2014-2016) and samples of mother colonies from three locations with variable thermal regimes; our results show that associating with multiple Symbiodiniaceae genera (Cladocopium spp. and Durusdinium spp.) is not a prerequisite for symbiont shuffling. Platygyra verweyi associates with certain Symbiodiniaceae gene ...[more]

PMID: 32411505

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Project description:The Symbiodinaceae are paradoxical in that they play a fundamental role in the success of scleractinian corals, but also in their dismissal when under stress. In the past decades, the discovery of the endosymbiont's genetic and functional diversity has led people to hope that some coral species can survive bleaching events by associating with a stress-resistant symbiont that can become dominant when seawater temperatures increase. The variety of individual responses encouraged us to scrutinize each species individually to gauge its resilience to future changes. Here, we analyse the temporal variation in the Symbiodinaceae community associated with Leptoria phrygia, a common scleractinian coral from the Indo-Pacific. Coral colonies were sampled from two distant reef sites located in southern Taiwan that differ in temperature regimes, exemplifying a 'variable site' (VS) and a 'steady site' (SS). We investigated changes in the relative abundance of the dominant symbiont and its physiology every 3-4 months from 2016-2017. At VS, 11 of the 12 colonies were dominated by the stress-resistant Durusdinium spp. (>90% dominance) and only one colony exhibited co-dominance between Durusdinium spp. and Cladocopium spp. Every colony displayed high photochemical efficiency across all sampling periods, while showing temporal differences in symbiont density and chlorophyll a concentration. At SS, seven colonies out of 13 were dominated by Cladocopium spp., five presented co-dominance between Durusdinium spp./Cladocopium spp. and only one was dominated by Durusdinium spp. Colonies showed temporal differences in photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll a concentration during the study period. Our results suggest that VS colonies responded physiologically better to high temperature variability by associating with Durusdinium spp., while in SS there is still inter-colonial variability, a feature that might be advantageous for coping with different environmental changes.

Dataset Information

Specificity trumps flexibility-location-based stable associations between Symbiodiniaceae genera and Platygyra verweyi (Scleractinia; Merulinidae).

Publications

Specificity trumps flexibility-location-based stable associations between Symbiodiniaceae genera and <i>Platygyra verweyi</i> (Scleractinia; Merulinidae).

Similar Datasets

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