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Grupstra CGB, Gómez-Corrales M, Fifer JE, Aichelman HE, Meyer-Kaiser KS, Prada C, Davies SW. Integrating cryptic diversity into coral evolution, symbiosis and conservation. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:622-636. [PMID: 38351091 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how diversity evolves and is maintained is critical to predicting the future trajectories of ecosystems under climate change; however, our understanding of these processes is limited in marine systems. Corals, which engineer reef ecosystems, are critically threatened by climate change, and global efforts are underway to conserve and restore populations as attempts to mitigate ocean warming continue. Recently, sequencing efforts have uncovered widespread undescribed coral diversity, including 'cryptic lineages'-genetically distinct but morphologically similar coral taxa. Such cryptic lineages have been identified in at least 24 coral genera spanning the anthozoan phylogeny and across ocean basins. These cryptic lineages co-occur in many reef systems, but their distributions often differ among habitats. Research suggests that cryptic lineages are ecologically specialized and several examples demonstrate differences in thermal tolerance, highlighting the critical implications of this diversity for predicting coral responses to future warming. Here, we draw attention to recent discoveries, discuss how cryptic diversity affects the study of coral adaptation and acclimation to future environments, explore how it shapes symbiotic partnerships, and highlight challenges and opportunities for conservation and restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James E Fifer
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Carlos Prada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Gijsbers JC, Englebert N, Prata KE, Pichon M, Dinesen Z, Brunner R, Eyal G, González-Zapata FL, Kahng SE, Latijnhouwers KRW, Muir P, Radice VZ, Sánchez JA, Vermeij MJA, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Jacobs SJ, Bongaerts P. Global phylogenomic assessment of Leptoseris and Agaricia reveals substantial undescribed diversity at mesophotic depths. BMC Biol 2023; 21:147. [PMID: 37365558 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01630-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesophotic coral communities are increasingly gaining attention for the unique biological diversity they host, exemplified by the numerous mesophotic fish species that continue to be discovered. In contrast, many of the photosynthetic scleractinian corals observed at mesophotic depths are assumed to be depth-generalists, with very few species characterised as mesophotic-specialists. This presumed lack of a specialised community remains largely untested, as phylogenetic studies on corals have rarely included mesophotic samples and have long suffered from resolution issues associated with traditional sequence markers. RESULTS Here, we used reduced-representation genome sequencing to conduct a phylogenomic assessment of the two dominant mesophotic genera of plating corals in the Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic, respectively, Leptoseris and Agaricia. While these genome-wide phylogenies broadly corroborated the morphological taxonomy, they also exposed deep divergences within the two genera and undescribed diversity across the current taxonomic species. Five of the eight focal species consisted of at least two sympatric and genetically distinct lineages, which were consistently detected across different methods. CONCLUSIONS The repeated observation of genetically divergent lineages associated with mesophotic depths highlights that there may be many more mesophotic-specialist coral species than currently acknowledged and that an urgent assessment of this largely unstudied biological diversity is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Gijsbers
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA.
| | - N Englebert
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - K E Prata
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - M Pichon
- Biodiversity Section, Queensland Museum, Townsville, 4810, Australia
| | - Z Dinesen
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - R Brunner
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - G Eyal
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - F L González-Zapata
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - S E Kahng
- Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - K R W Latijnhouwers
- CARMABI Foundation, Piscaderabaai Z/N, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 700, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Muir
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - V Z Radice
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - J A Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - M J A Vermeij
- CARMABI Foundation, Piscaderabaai Z/N, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 700, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - O Hoegh-Guldberg
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - S J Jacobs
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - P Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA.
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- CARMABI Foundation, Piscaderabaai Z/N, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao.
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3
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Development of microsatellites markers for the deep coral Madracis myriaster (Pocilloporidae: Anthozoa). Sci Rep 2022; 12:13193. [PMID: 35915204 PMCID: PMC9343366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2013 Colombia made an important step towards the construction and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by establishing the first Deep Corals National Park (PNNCP). Inside this MPA, the coral Madracis myriaster (Cnidaria: Pocilloporidae) was found as the main reef builder, offering habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates. In order to improve the study of deep-sea coral habitats, their connectivity and prospective management, nine new genetic markers (microsatellites) were developed for M. myriaster and tested in samples from PNNCP. We present the assessment of these markers, with a specificity for the deep coral, and its prospective use in future analysis for the PNNCP and other areas in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, where M. myriaster is reported. We also include an additional taxonomic analysis performed on samples of M. myriaster using scanning electron microscopy.
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4
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Prata KE, Riginos C, Gutenkunst RN, Latijnhouwers KRW, Sánchez JA, Englebert N, Hay KB, Bongaerts P. Deep connections: divergence histories with gene flow in mesophotic
Agaricia
corals. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2511-2527. [PMID: 35152496 PMCID: PMC9303685 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Largely understudied, mesophotic coral ecosystems lie below shallow reefs (at >30 m depth) and comprise ecologically distinct communities. Brooding reproductive modes appear to predominate among mesophotic‐specialist corals and may limit genetic connectivity among populations. Using reduced representation genomic sequencing, we assessed spatial population genetic structure at 50 m depth in an ecologically important mesophotic‐specialist species Agaricia grahamae, among locations in the Southern Caribbean. We also tested for hybridisation with the closely related (but depth‐generalist) species Agaricia lamarcki, within their sympatric depth zone (50 m). In contrast to our expectations, no spatial genetic structure was detected between the reefs of Curaçao and Bonaire (~40 km apart) within A. grahamae. However, cryptic taxa were discovered within both taxonomic species, with those in A. lamarcki (incompletely) partitioned by depth and those in A. grahamae occurring sympatrically (at the same depth). Hybrid analyses and demographic modelling identified contemporary and historical gene flow among cryptic taxa, both within and between A. grahamae and A. lamarcki. These results (1) indicate that spatial connectivity and subsequent replenishment may be possible between islands of moderate geographic distances for A. grahamae, an ecologically important mesophotic species, (2) that cryptic taxa occur in the mesophotic zone and environmental selection along shallow to mesophotic depth gradients may drive divergence in depth‐generalists such as A. lamarcki, and (3) highlight that gene flow links taxa within this relativity diverse Caribbean genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine E. Prata
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
- California Academy of Sciences San Francisco CA USA
| | - Cynthia Riginos
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Ryan N. Gutenkunst
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Arizona Tuscon AZ USA
| | | | - Juan A. Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR) Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| | - Norbert Englebert
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Kyra B. Hay
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Pim Bongaerts
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
- California Academy of Sciences San Francisco CA USA
- Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation Willemstad, Curaçao
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5
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Morphological stasis masks ecologically divergent coral species on tropical reefs. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2286-2298.e8. [PMID: 33811819 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs are the epitome of species diversity, yet the number of described scleractinian coral species, the framework-builders of coral reefs, remains moderate by comparison. DNA sequencing studies are rapidly challenging this notion by exposing a wealth of undescribed diversity, but the evolutionary and ecological significance of this diversity remains largely unclear. Here, we present an annotated genome for one of the most ubiquitous corals in the Indo-Pacific (Pachyseris speciosa) and uncover, through a comprehensive genomic and phenotypic assessment, that it comprises morphologically indistinguishable but ecologically divergent lineages. Demographic modeling based on whole-genome resequencing indicated that morphological crypsis (across micro- and macromorphological traits) was due to ancient morphological stasis rather than recent divergence. Although the lineages occur sympatrically across shallow and mesophotic habitats, extensive genotyping using a rapid molecular assay revealed differentiation of their ecological distributions. Leveraging "common garden" conditions facilitated by the overlapping distributions, we assessed physiological and quantitative skeletal traits and demonstrated concurrent phenotypic differentiation. Lastly, spawning observations of genotyped colonies highlighted the potential role of temporal reproductive isolation in the limited admixture, with consistent genomic signatures in genes related to morphogenesis and reproduction. Overall, our findings demonstrate the presence of ecologically and phenotypically divergent coral species without substantial morphological differentiation and provide new leads into the potential mechanisms facilitating such divergence. More broadly, they indicate that our current taxonomic framework for reef-building corals may be scratching the surface of the ecologically relevant diversity on coral reefs, consequently limiting our ability to protect or restore this diversity effectively.
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6
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Terraneo TI, Benzoni F, Arrigoni R, Baird AH, Mariappan KG, Forsman ZH, Wooster MK, Bouwmeester J, Marshell A, Berumen ML. Phylogenomics of Porites from the Arabian Peninsula. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 161:107173. [PMID: 33813021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The advent of high throughput sequencing technologies provides an opportunity to resolve phylogenetic relationships among closely related species. By incorporating hundreds to thousands of unlinked loci and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), phylogenomic analyses have a far greater potential to resolve species boundaries than approaches that rely on only a few markers. Scleractinian taxa have proved challenging to identify using traditional morphological approaches and many groups lack an adequate set of molecular markers to investigate their phylogenies. Here, we examine the potential of Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to investigate phylogenetic relationships and species limits within the scleractinian coral genus Porites. A total of 126 colonies were collected from 16 localities in the seas surrounding the Arabian Peninsula and ascribed to 12 nominal and two unknown species based on their morphology. Reference mapping was used to retrieve and compare nearly complete mitochondrial genomes, ribosomal DNA, and histone loci. De novo assembly and reference mapping to the P. lobata coral transcriptome were compared and used to obtain thousands of genome-wide loci and SNPs. A suite of species discovery methods (phylogenetic, ordination, and clustering analyses) and species delimitation approaches (coalescent-based, species tree, and Bayesian Factor delimitation) suggested the presence of eight molecular lineages, one of which included six morphospecies. Our phylogenomic approach provided a fully supported phylogeny of Porites from the Arabian Peninsula, suggesting the power of RADseq data to solve the species delineation problem in this speciose coral genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullia I Terraneo
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia.
| | - Francesca Benzoni
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roberto Arrigoni
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy; Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrew H Baird
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Kiruthiga G Mariappan
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zac H Forsman
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe 96744, HI, USA
| | - Michael K Wooster
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Alyssa Marshell
- Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Centre, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Forsman ZH, Ritson-Williams R, Tisthammer KH, Knapp ISS, Toonen RJ. Host-symbiont coevolution, cryptic structure, and bleaching susceptibility, in a coral species complex (Scleractinia; Poritidae). Sci Rep 2020; 10:16995. [PMID: 33046719 PMCID: PMC7550562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73501-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The 'species' is a key concept for conservation and evolutionary biology, yet the lines between population and species-level variation are often blurred, especially for corals. The 'Porites lobata species complex' consists of branching and mounding corals that form reefs across the Pacific. We used reduced representation meta-genomic sequencing to examine genetic relationships within this species complex and to identify candidate loci associated with colony morphology, cryptic genetic structure, and apparent bleaching susceptibility. We compared existing Porites data with bleached and unbleached colonies of the branching coral P. compressa collected in Kāne'ohe Bay Hawai'i during the 2015 coral bleaching event. Loci that mapped to coral, symbiont, and microbial references revealed genetic structure consistent with recent host-symbiont co-evolution. Cryptic genetic clades were resolved that previous work has associated with distance from shore, but no genetic structure was associated with bleaching. We identified many candidate loci associated with morphospecies, including candidate host and symbiont loci with fixed differences between branching and mounding corals. We also found many loci associated with cryptic genetic structure, yet relatively few loci associated with bleaching. Recent host-symbiont co-evolution and rapid diversification suggests that variation and therefore the capacity of these corals to adapt may be underappreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z H Forsman
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA.
| | | | - K H Tisthammer
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - I S S Knapp
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
| | - R J Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
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8
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Quattrini AM, Wu T, Soong K, Jeng MS, Benayahu Y, McFadden CS. A next generation approach to species delimitation reveals the role of hybridization in a cryptic species complex of corals. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:116. [PMID: 31170912 PMCID: PMC6555025 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1427-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our ability to investigate processes shaping the evolutionary diversification of corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) is limited by a lack of understanding of species boundaries. Discerning species of corals has been challenging due to a multitude of factors, including homoplasious and plastic morphological characters and the use of molecular markers that are either not informative or have not completely sorted. Hybridization can also blur species boundaries by leading to incongruence between morphology and genetics. We used traditional DNA barcoding and restriction-site associated DNA sequencing combined with coalescence-based and allele-frequency methods to elucidate species boundaries and simultaneously examine the potential role of hybridization in a speciose genus of octocoral, Sinularia. RESULTS Species delimitations using two widely used DNA barcode markers, mtMutS and 28S rDNA, were incongruent with one another and with the morphospecies identifications. When mtMutS and 28S were concatenated, a 0.3% genetic distance threshold delimited the majority of morphospecies. In contrast, 12 of the 15 examined morphospecies formed well-supported monophyletic clades in both concatenated RAxML phylogenies and SNAPP species trees of > 6000 RADSeq loci. DAPC and Structure analyses also supported morphospecies assignments, but indicated the potential for two additional cryptic species. Three morphologically distinct species pairs could not, however, be distinguished genetically. ABBA-BABA tests demonstrated significant admixture between some of those species, suggesting that hybridization may confound species delimitation in Sinularia. CONCLUSIONS A genomic approach can help to guide species delimitation while simultaneously elucidating the processes generating coral diversity. Results support the hypothesis that hybridization is an important mechanism in the evolution of Anthozoa, including octocorals, and future research should examine the contribution of this mechanism in generating diversity across the coral tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Quattrini
- Biology Department, Harvey Mudd College, 1250 N. Dartmouth Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 USA
| | - Tiana Wu
- Biology Department, Harvey Mudd College, 1250 N. Dartmouth Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 USA
| | - Keryea Soong
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiou Jeng
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yehuda Benayahu
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Catherine S. McFadden
- Biology Department, Harvey Mudd College, 1250 N. Dartmouth Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 USA
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9
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Beyond the “Deep Reef Refuge” Hypothesis: A Conceptual Framework to Characterize Persistence at Depth. CORAL REEFS OF THE WORLD 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-92735-0_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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10
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González AM, Prada CA, Ávila V, Medina M. Ecological Speciation in Corals. POPULATION GENOMICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/13836_2018_35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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11
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Gélin P, Fauvelot C, Bigot L, Baly J, Magalon H. From population connectivity to the art of striping Russian dolls: the lessons from Pocillopora corals. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:1411-1426. [PMID: 29375807 PMCID: PMC5773318 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we examined the genetic variability in the coral genus Pocillopora, in particular within the Primary Species Hypothesis PSH09, identified by Gélin, Postaire, Fauvelot and Magalon (2017) using species delimitation methods [also named Pocillopora eydouxi/meandrina complex sensu, Schmidt-Roach, Miller, Lundgren, & Andreakis (2014)] and which was found to split into three secondary species hypotheses (SSH09a, SSH09b, and SSH09c) according to assignment tests using multi-locus genotypes (13 microsatellites). From a large sampling (2,507 colonies) achieved in three marine provinces [Western Indian Ocean (WIO), Tropical Southwestern Pacific (TSP), and Southeast Polynesia (SEP)], genetic structuring analysis conducted with two clustering analyses (structure and DAPC) using 13 microsatellites revealed that SSH09a was restricted to the WIO while SSH09b and SSH09c were almost exclusively in the TSP and SEP. More surprisingly, each SSH split into two to three genetically differentiated clusters, found in sympatry at the reef scale, leading to a pattern of nested hierarchical levels (PSH > SSH > cluster), each level hiding highly differentiated genetic groups. Thus, rather than structured populations within a single species, these three SSHs, and even the eight clusters, likely represent distinct genetic lineages engaged in a speciation process or real species. The issue is now to understand which hierarchical level (SSH, cluster, or even below) corresponds to the species one. Several hypotheses are discussed on the processes leading to this pattern of mixed clusters in sympatry, evoking formation of reproductive barriers, either by allopatric speciation or habitat selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Gélin
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS)Université de La RéunionSt DenisLa Réunion
- Laboratoire d'excellence‐CORAILPerpignanFrance
| | - Cécile Fauvelot
- Laboratoire d'excellence‐CORAILPerpignanFrance
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS)Centre IRD de NouméaNoumeaNew Caledonia
- Present address:
Université Côte d'AzurCNRSNiceFrance
| | - Lionel Bigot
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS)Université de La RéunionSt DenisLa Réunion
- Laboratoire d'excellence‐CORAILPerpignanFrance
| | - Joseph Baly
- Laboratoire d'excellence‐CORAILPerpignanFrance
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS)Centre IRD de NouméaNoumeaNew Caledonia
| | - Hélène Magalon
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS)Université de La RéunionSt DenisLa Réunion
- Laboratoire d'excellence‐CORAILPerpignanFrance
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12
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Gélin P, Postaire B, Fauvelot C, Magalon H. Reevaluating species number, distribution and endemism of the coral genus Pocillopora Lamarck, 1816 using species delimitation methods and microsatellites. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2017; 109:430-446. [PMID: 28219759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Species delimitation methods based on genetic information, notably using single locus data, have been proposed as means of increasing the rate of biodiversity description, but can also be used to clarify complex taxonomies. In this study, we explore the species diversity within the cnidarian genus Pocillopora, widely distributed in the tropical belt of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. From 943 Pocillopora colonies sampled in the Western Indian Ocean, the Tropical Southwestern Pacific and Southeast Polynesia, representing a huge variety of morphotypes, we delineated Primary Species Hypotheses (PSH) applying the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery method, the Poisson Tree Processes algorithm and the Generalized mixed Yule-coalescent model on two mitochondrial markers (Open Reading Frame and Dloop) and reconstructing a haploweb using one nuclear marker (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2). Then, we confronted identified PSHs to the results of clustering analyses using 13 microsatellites to determine Secondary Species Hypotheses (SSH). Based on the congruence of all methods used and adding sequences from the literature, we defined at least 18 Secondary Species Hypotheses among 14 morphotypes, confirming the high phenotypic plasticity in Pocillopora species and the presence of cryptic lineages. We also identified three new genetic lineages never found to date, which could represent three new putative species. Moreover, the biogeographical ranges of several SSHs were re-assessed in the light of genetic data, which may have direct implications in conservation policies. Indeed, the cryptic diversity within this genus should be taken into account seriously, as neglecting its importance is source of confusion in our understanding of ecosystem functioning. Next generation sequencing, combined with other parameters (i.e. microstructure, zooxanthellae identification, ecology even at a micro-scale, resistance and resilience ability to bleaching) will be the next step towards an integrative framework of Pocillopora taxonomy, which will have profound implications for ecological studies, such as studying biodiversity, response to global warming and symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gélin
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS), Laboratoire d'excellence-CORAIL, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 15 Bd René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 St Denis Cedex 09, La Réunion, France
| | - B Postaire
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS), Laboratoire d'excellence-CORAIL, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 15 Bd René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 St Denis Cedex 09, La Réunion, France
| | - C Fauvelot
- UMR ENTROPIE (IRD, Université de La Réunion, CNRS), Laboratoire d'excellence-CORAIL, Centre IRD de Nouméa, 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa cedex, New Caledonia
| | - H Magalon
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS), Laboratoire d'excellence-CORAIL, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 15 Bd René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 St Denis Cedex 09, La Réunion, France.
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García NAC, Campos JE, Musi JLT, Forsman ZH, Muñoz JLM, Reyes AM, González JEA. Comparative Molecular and Morphological Variation Analysis of Siderastrea (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) Reveals the Presence of Siderastrea stellata in the Gulf of Mexico. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2017; 232:58-70. [PMID: 28445091 DOI: 10.1086/691788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The genus Siderastrea exhibits high levels of morphological variability. Some of its species share similar morphological characteristics with congeners, making their identification difficult. Siderastrea stellata has been reported as an intermediary of S. siderea and S. radians in the Brazilian reef ecosystem. In an earlier study conducted in Mexico, we detected Siderastrea colonies with morphological features that were not consistent with some siderastreid species previously reported in the Gulf of Mexico. Thus, we performed a combined morphological and molecular analysis to identify Siderastrea species boundaries from the Gulf of Mexico. Some colonies presented high morphologic variability, with characteristics that corresponded to Siderastrea stellata. Molecular analysis, using the nuclear ITS and ITS2 region, corroborated the morphological results, revealing low genetic variability between S. radians and S. stellata. Since the ITS sequences did not distinguish between Siderastrea species, we used the ITS2 region to differentiate S. stellata from S. radians. This is the first report of Siderastrea stellata and its variability in the Gulf of Mexico that is supported by morphological and molecular analyses.
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Arrigoni R, Vacherie B, Benzoni F, Stefani F, Karsenti E, Jaillon O, Not F, Nunes F, Payri C, Wincker P, Barbe V. A new sequence data set of SSU rRNA gene for Scleractinia and its phylogenetic and ecological applications. Mol Ecol Resour 2017; 17:1054-1071. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Arrigoni
- Red Sea Research Center; Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Thuwal 23955-6900 Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences; University of Milano-Bicocca; Piazza della Scienza 2 Milan 20126 Italy
| | | | - Francesca Benzoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences; University of Milano-Bicocca; Piazza della Scienza 2 Milan 20126 Italy
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; UMR227 Coreus2; 101 Promenade Roger Laroque BP A5 Noumea Cedex 98848 New Caledonia
| | - Fabrizio Stefani
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR); Via del Mulino 19 Brugherio I-20861 Italy
| | - Eric Karsenti
- Ecole Normale Supérieure; Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), and Inserm U1024, and CNRS UMR 8197; Paris F-75005 France
- Directors’ Research; European Molecular Biology Laboratory; Meyerhofstr. 1 Heidelberg 69117 Germany
| | - Olivier Jaillon
- CEA/DSV/IG/Genoscope; Evry Cedex France
- Université d'Evry; UMR 8030; Evry CP5706 France
| | - Fabrice Not
- UPMC-CNRS; UMR 7144; Station Biologique de Roscoff; Place Georges Teissier Roscoff 29680 France
| | - Flavia Nunes
- Ifremer Centre Bretagne; DYNECO; Laboratoire d’Écologie Benthique Côtière (LEBCO); 29280 Plouzané France
| | - Claude Payri
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; UMR227 Coreus2; 101 Promenade Roger Laroque BP A5 Noumea Cedex 98848 New Caledonia
| | - Patrick Wincker
- CEA/DSV/IG/Genoscope; Evry Cedex France
- Université d'Evry; UMR 8030; Evry CP5706 France
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15
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Recent origin and semi-permeable species boundaries in the scleractinian coral genus Stylophora from the Red Sea. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34612. [PMID: 27713475 PMCID: PMC5054360 DOI: 10.1038/srep34612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Reticulate evolution, introgressive hybridisation, and phenotypic plasticity have been documented in scleractinian corals and have challenged our ability to interpret speciation processes. Stylophora is a key model system in coral biology and physiology, but genetic analyses have revealed that cryptic lineages concealed by morphological stasis exist in the Stylophora pistillata species complex. The Red Sea represents a hotspot for Stylophora biodiversity with six morphospecies described, two of which are regionally endemic. We investigated Stylophora species boundaries from the Red Sea and the associated Symbiodinium by sequencing seven DNA loci. Stylophora morphospecies from the Red Sea were not resolved based on mitochondrial phylogenies and showed nuclear allele sharing. Low genetic differentiation, weak isolation, and strong gene flow were found among morphospecies although no signals of genetic recombination were evident among them. Stylophora mamillata harboured Symbiodinium clade C whereas the other two Stylophora morphospecies hosted either Symbiodinium clade A or C. These evolutionary patterns suggest that either gene exchange occurs through reticulate evolution or that multiple ecomorphs of a phenotypically plastic species occur in the Red Sea. The recent origin of the lineage leading to the Red Sea Stylophora may indicate an ongoing speciation driven by environmental changes and incomplete lineage sorting.
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16
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Long distance dispersal and vertical gene flow in the Caribbean brooding coral Porites astreoides. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21619. [PMID: 26899614 PMCID: PMC4761953 DOI: 10.1038/srep21619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, most assessments of coral connectivity have emphasized long-distance horizontal dispersal of propagules from one shallow reef to another. The extent of vertical connectivity, however, remains largely understudied. Here, we used newly-developed and existing DNA microsatellite loci for the brooding coral Porites astreoides to assess patterns of horizontal and vertical connectivity in 590 colonies collected from three depth zones (≤10 m, 15-20 m and ≥25 m) at sites in Florida, Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). We also tested whether maternal transmission of algal symbionts (Symbiodinium spp.) might limit effective vertical connectivity. Overall, shallow P. astreoides exhibited high gene flow between Florida and USVI, but limited gene flow between these locations and Bermuda. In contrast, there was significant genetic differentiation by depth in Florida (Upper Keys, Lower Keys and Dry Tortugas), but not in Bermuda or USVI, despite strong patterns of depth zonation in algal symbionts at two of these locations. Together, these findings suggest that P. astreoides is effective at dispersing both horizontally and vertically despite its brooding reproductive mode and maternal transmission of algal symbionts. In addition, these findings might help explain the ecological success reported for P. astreoides in the Caribbean in recent decades.
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17
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Wirshing HH, Baker AC. Molecular and Morphological Species Boundaries in the Gorgonian Octocoral Genus Pterogorgia (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133517. [PMID: 26196389 PMCID: PMC4510298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most gorgonian octocoral species are described using diagnostic characteristics of their sclerites (microscopic skeletal components). Species in the genus Pterogorgia, however, are separated primarily by differences in their calyx and branch morphology. Specimens of a morphologically unusual Pterogorgia collected from Saba Bank in the NE Caribbean Sea were found with calyx morphology similar to P. citrina and branch morphology similar to P. guadalupensis. In order to test morphological species boundaries, and the validity of calyx and branch morphology as systematic characters, a phylogenetic analysis was undertaken utilizing partial gene fragments of three mitochondrial (mtMutS, cytochrome b, and igr4; 726bp total) and two nuclear (ITS2, 166bp; and SRP54 intron, 143bp) loci. The datasets for nuclear and mitochondrial loci contained few phylogenetically informative sites, and tree topologies did not resolve any of the morphological species as monophyletic groups. Instead, the mitochondrial loci and SRP54 each recovered two clades but were slightly incongruent, with a few individuals of P. guadalupensis represented in both clades with SRP54. A concatenated dataset of these loci grouped all P. anceps and P. guadalupensis in a clade, and P. citrina and the Pterogorgia sp. from Saba Bank in a sister clade, but with minimal variation/resolution within each clade. However, in common with other octocoral taxa, the limited genetic variation may not have been able to resolve whether branch variation represents intraspecific variation or separate species. Therefore, these results suggest that there are at least two phylogenetic lineages of Pterogorgia at the species level, and the atypical Pterogorgia sp. may represent an unusual morphotype of P. citrina, possibly endemic to Saba Bank. Branch morphology does not appear to be a reliable morphological character to differentiate Pterogorgia species (e.g., branches "flat" or "3-4 edges" in P. guadalupensis and P. anceps, respectively), and a re-evaluation of species-level characters (e.g., sclerites) is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman H. Wirshing
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Andrew C. Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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18
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Combosch DJ, Vollmer SV. Trans-Pacific RAD-Seq population genomics confirms introgressive hybridization in Eastern Pacific Pocillopora corals. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2015; 88:154-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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19
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Pochon X, Forsman ZH, Spalding HL, Padilla-Gamiño JL, Smith CM, Gates RD. Depth specialization in mesophotic corals (Leptoseris spp.) and associated algal symbionts in Hawai'i. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:140351. [PMID: 26064599 PMCID: PMC4448807 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Corals at the lower limits of mesophotic habitats are likely to have unique photosynthetic adaptations that allow them to persist and dominate in these extreme low light ecosystems. We examined the host-symbiont relationships from the dominant coral genus Leptoseris in mesophotic environments from Hawai'i collected by submersibles across a depth gradient of 65-125 m. Coral and Symbiodinium genotypes were compared with three distinct molecular markers including coral (COX1-1-rRNA intron) and Symbiodinium (COI) mitochondrial markers and nuclear ITS2. The phylogenetic reconstruction clearly resolved five Leptoseris species, including one species (Leptoseris hawaiiensis) exclusively found in deeper habitats (115-125 m). The Symbiodinium mitochondrial marker resolved three unambiguous haplotypes in clade C, which were found at significantly different frequencies between host species and depths, with one haplotype exclusively found at the lower mesophotic extremes (95-125 m). These patterns of host-symbiont depth specialization indicate that there are limits to connectivity between upper and lower mesophotic zones, suggesting that niche specialization plays a critical role in host-symbiont evolution at mesophotic extremes.
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Affiliation(s)
- X. Pochon
- Environmental Technologies, Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Author for correspondence: X. Pochon e-mail:
| | - Z. H. Forsman
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i, Kaneohe, HI, USA
| | - H. L. Spalding
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Mnoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - J. L. Padilla-Gamiño
- Department of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USA
| | - C. M. Smith
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Mnoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - R. D. Gates
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i, Kaneohe, HI, USA
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20
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Bongaerts P, Carmichael M, Hay KB, Tonk L, Frade PR, Hoegh-Guldberg O. Prevalent endosymbiont zonation shapes the depth distributions of scleractinian coral species. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:140297. [PMID: 26064597 PMCID: PMC4448818 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Bathymetric distributions of photosynthetic marine invertebrate species are relatively well studied, however the importance of symbiont zonation (i.e. hosting of distinct algal endosymbiont communities over depth) in determining these depth distributions still remains unclear. Here, we assess the prevalence of symbiont zonation in tropical scleractinian corals by genotyping the Symbiodinium of the 25 most common species over a large depth range (down to 60 m) on a Caribbean reef. Symbiont depth zonation was found to be common on a reef-wide scale (11 out of 25 coral species), and a dominant feature in species with the widest depth distributions. With regards to reproductive strategy, symbiont zonation was more common in broadcasting species, which also exhibited a higher level of polymorphism in the symbiont zonation (i.e. number of different Symbiodinium profiles involved). Species with symbiont zonation exhibited significantly broader depth distributions than those without, highlighting the role of symbiont zonation in shaping the vertical distributions of the coral host. Overall, the results demonstrate that coral reefs can consist of highly structured communities over depth when considering both the coral host and their obligate photosymbionts, which probably has strong implications for the extent of connectivity between shallow and mesophotic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Bongaerts
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
| | - Margaux Carmichael
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kyra B. Hay
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Linda Tonk
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pedro R. Frade
- CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Division of Marine Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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21
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Bongaerts P, Frade PR, Hay KB, Englebert N, Latijnhouwers KRW, Bak RPM, Vermeij MJA, Hoegh-Guldberg O. Deep down on a Caribbean reef: lower mesophotic depths harbor a specialized coral-endosymbiont community. Sci Rep 2015; 5:7652. [PMID: 25564461 PMCID: PMC4285725 DOI: 10.1038/srep07652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition, ecology and environmental conditions of mesophotic coral ecosystems near the lower limits of their bathymetric distributions remain poorly understood. Here we provide the first in-depth assessment of a lower mesophotic coral community (60–100 m) in the Southern Caribbean through visual submersible surveys, genotyping of coral host-endosymbiont assemblages, temperature monitoring and a growth experiment. The lower mesophotic zone harbored a specialized coral community consisting of predominantly Agaricia grahamae, Agaricia undata and a “deep-water” lineage of Madracis pharensis, with large colonies of these species observed close to their lower distribution limit of ~90 m depth. All three species associated with “deep-specialist” photosynthetic endosymbionts (Symbiodinium). Fragments of A. grahamae exhibited growth rates at 60 m similar to those observed for shallow Agaricia colonies (~2–3 cm yr−1), but showed bleaching and (partial) mortality when transplanted to 100 m. We propose that the strong reduction of temperature over depth (Δ5°C from 40 to 100 m depth) may play an important contributing role in determining lower depth limits of mesophotic coral communities in this region. Rather than a marginal extension of the reef slope, the lower mesophotic represents a specialized community, and as such warrants specific consideration from science and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Bongaerts
- 1] Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia [2] ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia [3] CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
| | - Pedro R Frade
- 1] CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao [2] Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Division of Marine Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kyra B Hay
- Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Norbert Englebert
- 1] Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia [2] ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kelly R W Latijnhouwers
- 1] Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia [2] University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf P M Bak
- 1] CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao [2] University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [3] Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J A Vermeij
- 1] CARMABI, Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao [2] University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
- 1] Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia [2] ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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22
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Serrano X, Baums IB, O'Reilly K, Smith TB, Jones RJ, Shearer TL, Nunes FLD, Baker AC. Geographic differences in vertical connectivity in the Caribbean coralMontastraea cavernosadespite high levels of horizontal connectivity at shallow depths. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:4226-40. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- X. Serrano
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; University of Miami; 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami FL 33149 USA
| | - I. B. Baums
- Department of Biology; The Pennsylvania State University; 208 Mueller Laboratory University Park PA 16802 USA
| | - K. O'Reilly
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; University of Miami; 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami FL 33149 USA
| | - T. B. Smith
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies; University of the Virgin Islands; #2 John Brewer's Bay St. Thomas USVI 00802-9990 USA
| | - R. J. Jones
- Australian Institute of Marine Science; The UWA Oceans Institute; 35 Stirling Highway Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - T. L. Shearer
- School of Biology; Georgia Institute of Technology; 310 Ferst Dr. Atlanta GA 30332 USA
| | - F. L. D. Nunes
- Laboratory of Artificial and Natural Evolution; Department of Genetics & Evolution; University of Geneva; Sciences III, 30 quai Ernest Ansermet 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin; Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer; Université de Bretagne Occidentale; Technopole Brest Iroise 29280 Plouzané France
| | - A. C. Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; University of Miami; 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami FL 33149 USA
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23
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Naughton KM, O'Hara TD, Appleton B, Gardner MG. Sympatric cryptic species in the crinoid genus Cenolia (Echinodermata: Crinoidea: Comasteridae) delineated by sequence and microsatellite markers. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 78:160-71. [PMID: 24862222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The marine species of the southern coast of Australia have not been well studied with regard to molecular connectivity. Cryptic species are expected to be prevalent on this coastline. Here, we investigate the crinoid genus Cenolia (Echinodermata: Crinoidea: Comasteridae) using molecular methods to elucidate cryptic species and phylogenetic relationships. The genus Cenolia dominates the southern Australian crinoid fauna in shallow waters. Few studies have examined crinoids for cryptic species at a molecular level and these have been predominantly based on mitochondrial data. We employ the nuclear markers 28S rRNA and ITS-2 in addition to the mitochondrial COI. Six divergent mitochondrial clades were identified. Gene flow between confirmed clades was subsequently examined by the use of six novel microsatellite markers, showing that sympatric taxa with low mtDNA divergences (1.7% K2P) were not interbreeding in the wild. The type specimens of Cenolia benhami and C. spanoschistum were examined, as well as all six divergent clades. Morphological characters dividing taxa were refined. Due to comb pinnule morphology, the New Zealand species benhami was determined to belong to the genus Oxycomanthus (nov. comb.). Three new species of Cenolia (including the Australian "benhami") require description.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Naughton
- Sciences, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - T D O'Hara
- Sciences, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - B Appleton
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - M G Gardner
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia; Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia
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24
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Bongaerts P, Frade PR, Ogier JJ, Hay KB, van Bleijswijk J, Englebert N, Vermeij MJA, Bak RPM, Visser PM, Hoegh-Guldberg O. Sharing the slope: depth partitioning of agariciid corals and associated Symbiodinium across shallow and mesophotic habitats (2-60 m) on a Caribbean reef. BMC Evol Biol 2013; 13:205. [PMID: 24059868 PMCID: PMC3849765 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scleractinian corals and their algal endosymbionts (genus Symbiodinium) exhibit distinct bathymetric distributions on coral reefs. Yet, few studies have assessed the evolutionary context of these ecological distributions by exploring the genetic diversity of closely related coral species and their associated Symbiodinium over large depth ranges. Here we assess the distribution and genetic diversity of five agariciid coral species (Agaricia humilis, A. agaricites, A. lamarcki, A. grahamae, and Helioseris cucullata) and their algal endosymbionts (Symbiodinium) across a large depth gradient (2-60 m) covering shallow to mesophotic depths on a Caribbean reef. Results The five agariciid species exhibited distinct depth distributions, and dominant Symbiodinium associations were found to be species-specific, with each of the agariciid species harbouring a distinct ITS2-DGGE profile (except for a shared profile between A. lamarcki and A. grahamae). Only A. lamarcki harboured different Symbiodinium types across its depth distribution (i.e. exhibited symbiont zonation). Phylogenetic analysis (atp6) of the coral hosts demonstrated a division of the Agaricia genus into two major lineages that correspond to their bathymetric distribution (“shallow”: A. humilis / A. agaricites and “deep”: A. lamarcki / A. grahamae), highlighting the role of depth-related factors in the diversification of these congeneric agariciid species. The divergence between “shallow” and “deep” host species was reflected in the relatedness of the associated Symbiodinium (with A. lamarcki and A. grahamae sharing an identical Symbiodinium profile, and A. humilis and A. agaricites harbouring a related ITS2 sequence in their Symbiodinium profiles), corroborating the notion that brooding corals and their Symbiodinium are engaged in coevolutionary processes. Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that the depth-related environmental gradient on reefs has played an important role in the diversification of the genus Agaricia and their associated Symbiodinium, resulting in a genetic segregation between coral host-symbiont communities at shallow and mesophotic depths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Bongaerts
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, 4072 St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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25
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Filatov MV, Frade PR, Bak RPM, Vermeij MJA, Kaandorp JA. Comparison between colony morphology and molecular phylogeny in the Caribbean scleractinian coral genus Madracis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71287. [PMID: 23967185 PMCID: PMC3743869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in coral biology is to find the most adequate and phylogenetically informative characters that allow for distinction of closely related coral species. Therefore, data on corallite morphology and genetic data are often combined to increase phylogenetic resolution. In this study, we address the question to which degree genetic data and quantitative information on overall coral colony morphologies identify similar groupings within closely related morphospecies of the Caribbean coral genus Madracis. Such comparison of phylogenies based on colony morphology and genetic data will also provide insight into the degree to which genotype and phenotype overlap. We have measured morphological features of three closely related Caribbean coral species of the genus Madracis (M. formosa, M. decactis and M. carmabi). Morphological differences were then compared with phylogenies of the same species based on two nuclear DNA markers, i.e. ATPSα and SRP54. Our analysis showed that phylogenetic trees based on (macroscopical) morphological properties and phylogenetic trees based on DNA markers ATPSα and SRP54 are partially similar indicating that morphological characteristics at the colony level provide another axis, in addition to commonly used features such as corallite morphology and ecological information, to delineate genetically different coral species. We discuss this new method that allows systematic quantitative comparison between morphological characteristics of entire colonies and genetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim V. Filatov
- Section Computational Science, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pedro R. Frade
- Department of Marine Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rolf P. M. Bak
- Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research, Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J. A. Vermeij
- Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) Foundation, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
- Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap A. Kaandorp
- Section Computational Science, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Capa M, Pons J, Hutchings P. Cryptic diversity, intraspecific phenetic plasticity and recent geographical translocations inBranchiomma(Sabellidae, Annelida). ZOOL SCR 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Capa
- Australian Museum; Sydney; NSW; 2010; Australia
| | - Joan Pons
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados; c/-Miquel Marquès, 21; 07190-Esporles; Balearic Islands; Spain
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Meyers M, Porter JW, Wares JP. Genetic diversity of fluorescent proteins in Caribbean agariciid corals. J Hered 2013; 104:572-7. [PMID: 23667051 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/est028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The fluorescent protein (FP) gene family is a highly diverse group of proteins whose expression govern color diversity in corals. Here, we examine the genetic diversity of FPs and the extent to which it can be used to assess phylogenetic relationships within the coral genus Agaricia. Tissue samples were collected throughout the Florida Keys from a wide range of phenotypes within the genus Agaricia (A. agaricites [n = 7], A. fragilis [n = 13], and A. lamarcki [n = 2]), as well as the confamilial species Helioseris cucullata (n = 3). Primers were developed from published cDNA sequences to amplify a region of coding and noncoding sequences of FPs. Cloning reactions were performed to capture the multiple copies of FPs and allele diversity. In the resulting 116 cloned sequences, we identified a 179-bp coding region for phylogenetic analysis. Three distinct clades were found in all 3 species of Agaricia, potentially representing 3 copies of the FP gene. Of the 3 gene copies, 2 contain distinct subclades that display reciprocal monophyly between A. agaricites and A. fragilis, whereas A. lamarcki is polyphyletic. Further resolution of the species phylogeny is necessary to fully understand how genetic diversity within this gene family is distributed among taxa and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Meyers
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Scleractinia, Octocorallia and Antipatharia of Bermuda’s Reefs and Deep-Water Coral Communities: A Taxonomic Perspective Including New Records. CORAL REEFS OF THE WORLD 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5965-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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DUPUIS JULIANR, ROE AMANDAD, SPERLING FELIXAH. Multi-locus species delimitation in closely related animals and fungi: one marker is not enough. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:4422-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05642.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Flot JF, Blanchot J, Charpy L, Cruaud C, Licuanan WY, Nakano Y, Payri C, Tillier S. Incongruence between morphotypes and genetically delimited species in the coral genus Stylophora: phenotypic plasticity, morphological convergence, morphological stasis or interspecific hybridization? BMC Ecol 2011; 11:22. [PMID: 21970706 PMCID: PMC3269986 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-11-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Morphological data suggest that, unlike most other groups of marine organisms, scleractinian corals of the genus Stylophora are more diverse in the western Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea than in the central Indo-Pacific. However, the morphology of corals is often a poor predictor of their actual biodiversity: hence, we conducted a genetic survey of Stylophora corals collected in Madagascar, Okinawa, the Philippines and New Caledonia in an attempt to find out the true number of species in these various locations. RESULTS A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial ORF and putative control region concurs with a haploweb analysis of nuclear ITS2 sequences in delimiting three species among our dataset: species A and B are found in Madagascar whereas species C occurs in Okinawa, the Philippines and New Caledonia. Comparison of ITS1 sequences from these three species with data available online suggests that species C is also found on the Great Barrier Reef, in Malaysia, in the South China Sea and in Taiwan, and that a distinct species D occurs in the Red Sea. Shallow-water morphs of species A correspond to the morphological description of Stylophora madagascarensis, species B presents the morphology of Stylophora mordax, whereas species C comprises various morphotypes including Stylophora pistillata and Stylophora mordax. CONCLUSIONS Genetic analysis of the coral genus Stylophora reveals species boundaries that are not congruent with morphological traits. Of the four hypotheses that may explain such discrepancy (phenotypic plasticity, morphological stasis, morphological convergence, and interspecific hybridization), the first two appear likely to play a role but the fourth one is rejected since mitochondrial and nuclear markers yield congruent species delimitations. The position of the root in our molecular phylogenies suggests that the center of origin of Stylophora is located in the western Indian Ocean, which probably explains why this genus presents a higher biodiversity in the westernmost part of its area of distribution than in the "Coral Triangle".
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Flot
- Courant Research Center "Geobiology", University of Göttingen, Goldschmidtstraße 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- CEA-Institut de Génomique, GENOSCOPE, Centre National de Séquençage, 2 rue Gaston Crémieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry Cedex, France
- UMR UPMC-CNRS-MNHN-IRD 7138, Département Systématique et Évolution, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Case Postale 26, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
- URBO, Department of Biology, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelle 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Jean Blanchot
- UMR LOBP, Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, Campus de Luminy, Case 901, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Loïc Charpy
- UMR LOBP, Centre IRD de Tahiti, BP 529, 98713 Papeete, French Polynesia
| | - Corinne Cruaud
- CEA-Institut de Génomique, GENOSCOPE, Centre National de Séquençage, 2 rue Gaston Crémieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Wilfredo Y Licuanan
- Br. Alfred Shields FSC Marine Station and Biology Department, De La Salle University, Manila 1004, Philippines
| | - Yoshikatsu Nakano
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 3422, Japan
| | - Claude Payri
- UR COREUS, IRD, B.P. A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Simon Tillier
- UMR UPMC-CNRS-MNHN-IRD 7138, Département Systématique et Évolution, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Case Postale 26, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
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