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Hoarau L, Guilhaumon F, Bureau S, Mangion P, Labarrère P, Bigot L, Chabanet P, Penin L, Adjeroud M. Marked spatial heterogeneity of macro-benthic communities along a shallow-mesophotic depth gradient in Reunion Island. Sci Rep 2024; 14:32021. [PMID: 39738407 PMCID: PMC11685504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83744-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 12/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have gained considerable attention this last decade but the paucity of knowledge on these ecosystems is pronounced, particularly in the Southwestern Indian Ocean region. We explore the spatial variation in macro-benthic and scleractinian communities along a wide depth gradient (15-95 m) and among contrasted sites around Reunion Island. Values for percent cover of macro-benthic and scleractinian communities varied significantly along depth, resulting in a vertical zonation of communities. We recorded a transition of light-dependent communities towards heterotrophic organisms between shallow and upper mesophotic zones at 30-45 m, and a community shift in the lower mesophotic zone at 75 m. Despite overlaps in scleractinian genera distribution along the depth gradient, predominant genera of shallow depths were in low abundance in MCEs (> 30 m). Our findings highlight the importance of MCEs as distinct ecosystems sheltering diverse, unique habitats and harboring abundant cnidarian-habitat forming organisms. Supporting the 'Deep Reef Refuge Hypothesis', 56% of scleractinian genera spanned shallow to mesophotic depths, while one-third were depth specialists, either shallow or mesophotic. This highlights the limited refuge potential of mesophotic reefs for Southwestern Indian Ocean coral communities. Our findings establish baseline data for monitoring and conserving Reunion Island's MCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Hoarau
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France.
- Grand Port Maritime De La Réunion, Le Port, La Réunion, France.
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France.
| | - François Guilhaumon
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Sophie Bureau
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France
| | - Perrine Mangion
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | | | - Lionel Bigot
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Chabanet
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Penin
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France
| | - Mehdi Adjeroud
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Paris, France
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Perpignan, France
- PSL Université Paris, UAR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
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Tavakoli-Kolour P, Sinniger F, Morita M, Hazraty-Kari S, Nakamura T, Harii S. Shallow corals acclimate to mesophotic depths while maintaining their heat tolerance against ongoing climate change. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 209:117277. [PMID: 39561488 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2024] [Revised: 11/05/2024] [Accepted: 11/05/2024] [Indexed: 11/21/2024]
Abstract
Global warming poses a significant threat to coral reefs. It has been assumed that mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs, 30 to 150 m depths) may serve as refugia from ocean warming. This study examined the acclimation capacity and thermal tolerance of two shallow coral species, Porites cylindrica and Turbinaria reniformis, transplanted to mesophotic depths (40 m) for 12 months. Fragments from 5 and 40 m were exposed to control (28 °C), moderate (30 °C), and high (32 °C) temperatures over 14 days. MCE-acclimated fragments showed higher thermal thresholds and survival rates, delayed onset of bleaching, and less decline in photosynthesis efficiency (Fv/Fm) compared to shallow fragments. Both species maintained high thermal tolerance despite prolonged exposure to cooler temperatures of mesophotic depth. These findings suggest that low light intensity in MCEs can act as a modulator of bleaching, supporting the potential of these ecosystems as refugia for shallow corals in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Tavakoli-Kolour
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Frederic Sinniger
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sanaz Hazraty-Kari
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan; Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Saki Harii
- Sesoko Marine Research Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
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Huang L, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Yuan T, Sun Y, Liu C, Lei X, Yuan X, Lian J, Liu S, Huang H. Distribution patterns of reef-building corals in the Northwest Pacific and their environmental drivers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174429. [PMID: 38960185 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Understanding species distribution and the related driving processes is a fundamental issue in ecology. However, incomplete data on reef-building corals in the ecoregions of the South China Sea have hindered a comprehensive understanding of coral distribution patterns and their ecological drivers in the Northwest Pacific (NWP). This study investigated the coral species diversity and distribution patterns in the NWP by collecting species presence/absence data from the South China Sea and compiling an extensive species distribution database for the region, and explored their major environmental drivers. Our NWP coral database included 612 recorded coral species across 15 ecoregions. Of these, 536 coral species were recorded in the South China Sea Oceanic Islands after compilation, confirming the extraordinary coral species diversity in this ecoregion. Coral alpha diversity was found to decrease with increasing latitude in the whole NWP, while the influence of the Kuroshio Current on environmental conditions in its path results in a slower decline in species richness with latitude compared to regions within the South China Sea. Beta-diversity decomposition revealed that nestedness patterns mainly occurred between low and high latitude ecoregions, while communities within similar latitudes exhibited a turnover component, particularly pronounced at high latitudes. The impact of environmental factors on coral assemblage structure outweighed the effects of spatial distance. Temperature, especially winter temperature, and light intensity strongly influenced alpha diversity and beta diversity's nestedness component. Additionally, turbidity and winter temperature variations at high latitudes contributed to the turnover pattern observed among communities in the NWP. These findings elucidate the assembly processes and major environmental drivers shaping different coral communities in the NWP, highlighting the significant role of specific environmental filtering in coral distribution patterns and providing valuable insights for coral species conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lintao Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Youfang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Chengyue Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Xinming Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Xiangcheng Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Jiansheng Lian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Hui Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya 572000, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
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4
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Luo Y, Yu X, Huang L, Gan J, Lei X, Jiang L, Liu C, Sun Y, Cheng M, Zhang Y, Zhou G, Liu S, Lian J, Huang H. The role of heterotrophic plasticity in coral response to natural low-light environments. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70278. [PMID: 39318528 PMCID: PMC11420107 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Coastal darkening is emerging as a global threat to fringing reefs. While some reef-building corals exhibit resistance to low-light environments, the mechanisms behind this resistance, particularly the role of coral hosts, remain inadequately understood. Here, we investigated variations in underwater photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and employed the Bayesian stable isotope mixing model (MixSIAR) to estimate the contributions of autotrophic (i.e., dissolved inorganic matter, DIM) and heterotrophic sources (i.e., particulate organic matter, POM, and dissolved organic matter, DOM) to the nutrition of the reef coral Galaxea fascicularis on the Luhuitou turbid reef in the northern South China Sea. Our findings revealed that the heterotrophic contribution to coral nutrition increased to 58.5% with decreasing PAR and that the heterotrophic contribution was significantly negatively correlated with δ13C difference between host and symbiont (δ13Ch-s). Moreover, we observed significant seasonal variations in the respective contributions of POM and DOM to coral nutrition, linked to the sources of these nutrients, demonstrating that G. fascicularis can selectively ingest POM and DOM based on their bioavailability to enhance its heterotrophic contribution. This heterotrophic plasticity improved the low-light resistance of G. fascicularis and contributed to its prominence within coral communities. However, with a low-light threshold of approximately 3.73% of the surface PAR for G. fascicularis, our results underscore the need for effective strategies to mitigate low-light conditions on nearshore turbid reefs. In summary, our study highlights the critical role of heterotrophic plasticity in coral responses to natural low-light environments, suggesting that some reef-building corals with such plasticity could become dominant or resilient species in the context of coastal darkening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
| | - Xiaolei Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lintao Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jianfeng Gan
- South China Institute of Environmental SciencesMinistry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of ChinaGuangzhouChina
| | - Xinming Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Chengyue Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Youfang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Meng Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Guowei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Sheng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
- Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiansheng Lian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
| | - Hui Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine bio‐Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine BiologySouth China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
- CAS‐HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan ProvinceSanya Institute of Ocean Eco‐Environmental Engineering, SCSIOSanyaChina
- Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in HainanChinese Academy of SciencesSanyaChina
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)GuangzhouChina
- Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhouChina
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Le Gall L, Johnson JV, Chequer A, Doherty ML, Goodbody-Gringley G. Benthic and fish community composition on mesophotic reefs in Grand Cayman. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17763. [PMID: 39221261 PMCID: PMC11366224 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) represent unique ecological habitats that range from 30 to 150 m deep, harbouring phylogenetically distinct species and offering refuge for many taxa during times of environmental stress. Yet owing to inaccessibility of ecosystems at these depths, most MCEs remain unexplored, with quantifications of ecological communities in these habitats lacking across many regions. Here, using open- and closed-circuit technical diving, we quantified benthic and fish community composition at four mesophotic reef sites (45 m depth) in Grand Cayman. We show significant differences in benthic community composition over a small spatial scale driven by disparate coverage of sponges, crustose coralline algae, and sand/rubble, yet consistent patterns of macroalgal dominance representing >50% coverage at each site and low hard coral cover at an average of 2.4%. Reef fish species richness, biomass, and density was consistent across sites, however the relative contribution of individual species to community composition differed significantly. Macrocarnivores were found to be the dominant contributors to biomass, with invertivores the most speciose, and omnivores and planktivores at the highest densities, consistent with previous descriptions of mesophotic fish assemblages in other regions. Similarly, the low hard coral cover and high macroalgae and sponge cover of the benthic communities also appear ecologically similar to several described mesophotic reefs yet is not uniform across the Caribbean. The ecological organisation of Grand Cayman's MCEs may result from a variety of factors such as isolation from other major land masses, geology, local geography, and anthropogenic activity at both the local and global scale and highlight the importance of continued exploration and documentation of MCE communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Le Gall
- Reef Ecology and Evolution Lab, Central Carribean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Jack V. Johnson
- Reef Ecology and Evolution Lab, Central Carribean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Alex Chequer
- Reef Ecology and Evolution Lab, Central Carribean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Matthew Louis Doherty
- Reef Ecology and Evolution Lab, Central Carribean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
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Goodbody-Gringley G, Martinez S, Bellworthy J, Chequer A, Nativ H, Mass T. Irradiance driven trophic plasticity in the coral Madracis pharensis from the Eastern Mediterranean. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3646. [PMID: 38351312 PMCID: PMC10864392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The distribution of symbiotic scleractinian corals is driven, in part, by light availability, as host energy demands are partially met through translocation of photosynthate. Physiological plasticity in response to environmental conditions, such as light, enables the expansion of resilient phenotypes in the face of changing environmental conditions. Here we compared the physiology, morphology, and taxonomy of the host and endosymbionts of individual Madracis pharensis corals exposed to dramatically different light conditions based on colony orientation on the surface of a shipwreck at 30 m depth in the Bay of Haifa, Israel. We found significant differences in symbiont species consortia, photophysiology, and stable isotopes, suggesting that these corals can adjust multiple aspects of host and symbiont physiology in response to light availability. These results highlight the potential of corals to switch to a predominantly heterotrophic diet when light availability and/or symbiont densities are too low to sustain sufficient photosynthesis, which may provide resilience for corals in the face of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephane Martinez
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jessica Bellworthy
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Alex Chequer
- Reef Ecology and Evolution, Central Caribbean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Hagai Nativ
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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7
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Scucchia F, Wong K, Zaslansky P, Putnam HM, Goodbody-Gringley G, Mass T. Morphological and genetic mechanisms underlying the plasticity of the coral Porites astreoides across depths in Bermuda. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108036. [PMID: 37832837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The widespread decline of shallow-water coral reefs has fueled interest in assessing whether mesophotic reefs can act as refugia replenishing deteriorated shallower reefs through larval exchange. Here we explore the morphological and molecular basis facilitating survival of planulae and adults of the coral Porites astreoides (Lamarck, 1816; Hexacorallia: Poritidae) along the vertical depth gradient in Bermuda. We found differences in micro-skeletal features such as bigger calyxes and coarser surface of the skeletal spines in shallow corals. Yet, tomographic reconstructions reveal an analogous mineral distribution between shallow and mesophotic adults, pointing to similar skeleton growth dynamics. Our study reveals patterns of host genetic connectivity and minimal symbiont depth-zonation across a broader depth range than previously known for this species in Bermuda. Transcriptional variations across life stages showed different regulation of metabolism and stress response functions, unraveling molecular responses to environmental conditions at different depths. Overall, these findings increase our understanding of coral acclimatory capability across broad vertical gradients, ultimately allowing better evaluation of the refugia potential of mesophotic reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Scucchia
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel.
| | - Kevin Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, United States
| | - Paul Zaslansky
- Department for Operative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, United States
| | - Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands; Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George's, Bermuda
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa, Israel.
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8
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Tavakoli-Kolour P, Sinniger F, Morita M, Hazraty-Kari S, Nakamura T, Harii S. Plasticity of shallow reef corals across a depth gradient. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115792. [PMID: 37984089 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Global warming harms coral reefs. Mesophotic coral reef ecosystems (MCEs) have been suggested to serve as refugia for shallow reefs. Information on the adaptation potential of shallow corals at MCEs is a prerequisite for understanding the refuge potential of MCEs. In this study, we investigated the photoacclimation potential of four shallow coral species transplanted at different depths over 1 year. The results showed that the corals-Pocillopora damicornis, Porites cylindrica, and Turbinaria reniformis-survived and acclimated to a wide range of light regimes at the depths of 5, 20, and 40 m. However, Acropora tenuis survived only at 5 and 20 m depth and showed significant morphological alteration at 20 m depth. Our results indicate that shallow corals have substantial plasticity with respect to depth changes. Changes in photosynthetic performance and phenotypic plasticity within these coral species may act as a buffer for depth-related changes and as modulators of evolutionary responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Tavakoli-Kolour
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Frederic Sinniger
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sanaz Hazraty-Kari
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan; Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Saki Harii
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
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Carpenter GE, Chequer AD, Weber S, Mass T, Goodbody‐Gringley G. Light and photoacclimatization drive distinct differences between shallow and mesophotic coral communities. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gaby E. Carpenter
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Alex D. Chequer
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Sabrina Weber
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute Little Cayman Island Cayman Islands
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences University of Haifa Mount Carmel Haifa Israel
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Sdot Yam Israel
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