1
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Lamb AM, Peplow LM, Dungan AM, Ferguson SN, Harrison PL, Humphrey CA, McCutchan GA, Nitschke MR, van Oppen MJH. Interspecific hybridisation provides a low-risk option for increasing genetic diversity of reef-building corals. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060482. [PMID: 39207257 PMCID: PMC11381923 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060482] [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: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Interspecific hybridisation increases genetic diversity and has played a significant role in the evolution of corals in the genus Acropora. In vitro fertilisation can be used to increase the frequency of hybridisation among corals, potentially enhancing their ability to adapt to climate change. Here, we assessed the field performance of hybrids derived from the highly cross-fertile coral species Acropora sarmentosa and Acropora florida from the Great Barrier Reef. Following outplanting to an inshore reef environment, the 10-month survivorship of the hybrid offspring groups was intermediate between that of the purebred groups, although not all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant. The A. florida purebreds, which had the lowest survivorship, were significantly larger at 10 months post-deployment compared to the other three groups. The four offspring groups harboured the same intracellular photosymbiont communities (Symbiodiniaceae), indicating that observed performance differences were due to the coral host and not photosymbiont communities. The limited differences in the performance of the groups and the lack of outbreeding depression of the F1 hybrids in the field suggest that interspecific hybridisation may be a useful method to boost the genetic diversity, and as such increase the adaptive capacity, of coral stock for restoration of degraded and potentially genetically eroded populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika M Lamb
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville VIC 3010
- AIMS@JCU - James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Lesa M Peplow
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ashley M Dungan
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville VIC 3010
| | - Sophie N Ferguson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter L Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre - Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480
| | - Craig A Humphrey
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Guy A McCutchan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew R Nitschke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland 4810, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville VIC 3010
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2
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Liu C, Zhang Y, Botana MT, Fu Y, Huang L, Jiang L, Yu X, Luo Y, Huang H. The bioenergetics response of the coral Pocillopora damicornis to temperature changes during its reproduction stage. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106557. [PMID: 38823094 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106557] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction of reef-building corals is vital for coral reef ecosystem recovery. Corals allocate limited energy to growth and reproduction, when being under environmental disturbance, which ultimately shapes the community population dynamics. In the present study, energetic and physiological parameters of both parental colonies and larvae of the coral Pocillopora damicornis were measured during their reproduction stage under four temperatures; 28 °C (low-temperature acclimation, LA), 29 °C (control temperature, CT), 31 °C (high-temperature acclimation, HA), and 32 °C (heat stress, HS). The results showed temperature changes altered the larvae release timing and fecundity in P. damicornis. Parental colonies exposed to the LA treatment exhibited reduced investment in reproduction and released fewer larvae, while retaining more energy for their development. However, each larva acquired higher energy and symbiont densities enabling survival through longer planktonic periods before settlement. In contrast, parental colonies exposed to the HA treatment had increased investment for reproduction and larvae output, while per larva gained less energy to mitigate the threat of higher temperature. Furthermore, the energy allocation processes restructured fatty acids concentration and composition in both parental colonies and larvae as indicated by shifts in membrane fluidity under adaptable temperature changes. Notably, parental colonies from the HS treatment expended more energy in response to heat stress, resulting in adverse effects, especially after larval release. Our study expands the current knowledge on the energy allocation strategies of P. damicornis and how it is impacted by temperature. Parental colonies employed different energy allocation strategies under distinct temperature regimes to optimize their development and offspring success, but under heat stress, both were compromised. Lipid metabolism is essential for the success of coral reproduction and further understanding their response to heat stress can improve intervention strategies for coral reef conservation in warmer future oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch (HKB) of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong, 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, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Marina Tonetti Botana
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Yousi Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - 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, 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, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch (HKB) of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaolei Yu
- 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, China
| | - Yong Luo
- 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, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, SCSIO, Sanya, 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, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research, Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, SCSIO, Sanya, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China.
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3
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Furukawa M, Kitanobo S, Ohki S, Teramoto MM, Hanahara N, Morita M. Integrative taxonomic analyses reveal that rapid genetic divergence drives Acropora speciation. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 195:108063. [PMID: 38493988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108063] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Reef-building corals provide the structural basis for one of Earth's most spectacular and diverse but increasingly threatened ecosystems. The reef-building coral genus Acropora may have undergone substantial speciation during the Pleistocene climate and sea-level changes. Here, we aimed to evaluate the speciation history of four morphologically similar tabular Acropora species (Acropora aff. hyacinthus, A. cf. bifurcata, A. cf. cytherea, and A. cf. subulata) using an integrative approach with morphology, genetic, and reproduction methodology. Extensive morphological analyses showed that these four species are distinct and exhibited high gamete incompatibility, preventing hybridization. Furthermore, population structure and principal component analyses with SNPs (>60,000) indicated that these species were genetically distinct, and the ABBA-BABA test did not support introgression among these species. Many of their coding and noncoding RNA sequences showed high genetic variance at loci with high Fst values along the genome. Comparison of these orthologs with those of other Acropora species suggested that many of these genes are under positive selection, which could be associated with spawning time, gamete, and morphological divergence. Our findings show that the speciation of tabular Acropora occurred without hybridization, and the divergence accompanying the rapid evolution of genes in species-rich Acropora could be associated with speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Furukawa
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
| | - Seiya Kitanobo
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
| | - Shun Ohki
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Mariko M Teramoto
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
| | - Nozomi Hanahara
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan; Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Center, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan.
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4
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Morita M, Hanahara N, Teramoto MM, Tarigan AI. Conservation of Protein Kinase A Substrates in the Cnidarian Coral Spermatozoa Among Animals and Their Molecular Evolution. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:217-257. [PMID: 38662235 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10168-x] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The coral Acropora spp., known for its reef-building abilities, is a simultaneous hermaphroditic broadcast spawning species. Acropora spp. release gametes into seawater, activating sperm motility. This activation is mediated by adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA). Notably, membrane-permeable cAMP (8-bromo-cAMP) promotes sperm motility activation of Acropora florida. While the signal transduction for PKA-dependent motility activation is highly conserved among animals, the downstream signaling of PKA remains unclear. In this study, we used mass spectrometry (MS) analyses to identify sperm proteins in the coral Acropora digitifera, as well as the serine/threonine residues of potential PKA substrates, and then, we investigated the conservation of these proteins from corals to vertebrates. We identified 148 sperm proteins of A. digitifera with typical PKA recognition motifs, namely RRXT and RRXS. We subsequently used ORTHOSCOPE to screen for orthologs encoding these 148 proteins from corals to vertebrates. Among the isolated orthologs, we identified positive selection in 48 protein-encoding genes from 18 Acropora spp. Subsequently, we compared the conservation rates of the PKA phosphorylation motif residues between the orthologs under positive and purifying selections. Notably, the serine residues of the orthologs under positive selection were more conserved. Therefore, adaptive evolution might have occurred in the orthologs of PKA substrate candidates from corals to vertebrates, accompanied by phosphorylation residue conservation. Collectively, our findings suggest that while PKA signal transduction, including substrates in sperm, may have been conserved, the substrates may have evolved to adapt to diverse fertilization conditions, such as synchronous broadcast spawning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Hanahara
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
- Okinawa Churahima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0206, Japan
| | - Mariko M Teramoto
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
| | - Ariyo Imanuel Tarigan
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
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5
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Sakai Y, Yamamoto HH, Maruyama S. Long-term aquarium records delineate the synchronized spawning strategy of Acropora corals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240183. [PMID: 39076805 PMCID: PMC11285485 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Aligning spawning timing with seasonal environmental changes is critical for both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. However, mechanisms to regulate reproductive activity in response to environmental factors are not well understood, partly owing to the technical difficulty in maintaining detailed long-term observational data of the reproductive activities in the same population across years. In this study, we present an application of the aquarium system to examine the long-term spawning properties of corals. Spawning records over a 15-year period at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium revealed that the spawning timing of Acropora corals in aquarium tanks aligned well with that of wild corals from a neighbouring reef. Using the aquarium population as a model, we investigated the relationship between key environmental factors and the timing of the first and peak spawning dates of Acropora corals during a 15-year period. The results suggest that the spawning window of each spawning season is largely influenced by the water temperature and that the timing of peak spawning can be fine-tuned in response to environmental fluctuations. This behavioural feature can prevent synchronous spawning events during unfavourable environmental conditions and increase long-term reproductive reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Sakai
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka558-8585, Japan
| | - Hiromi H. Yamamoto
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute, Okinawa905-0206, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Maruyama
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba277-8562, Japan
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6
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Burt AJ, Vogt-Vincent N, Johnson H, Sendell-Price A, Kelly S, Clegg SM, Head C, Bunbury N, Fleischer-Dogley F, Jeremie MM, Khan N, Baxter R, Gendron G, Mason-Parker C, Walton R, Turnbull LA. Integration of population genetics with oceanographic models reveals strong connectivity among coral reefs across Seychelles. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4936. [PMID: 38472289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55459-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many countries with tropical reef systems face hard choices preserving coral reefs in the face of climate change on limited budgets. One approach to maximising regional reef resilience is targeting management efforts and resources at reefs that export large numbers of larvae to other reefs. However, this requires reef connectivity to be quantified. To map coral connectivity in the Seychelles reef system we carried out a population genomic study of the Porites lutea species complex using 241 sequenced colonies from multiple islands. To identify oceanographic drivers of this connectivity and quantify variability, we further used a 2 km resolution regional ocean simulation coupled with a larval dispersal model to predict the flow of coral larvae between reef sites. Patterns of admixture and gene flow are broadly supported by model predictions, but the realised connectivity is greater than that predicted from model simulations. Both methods detected a biogeographic dispersal barrier between the Inner and Outer Islands of Seychelles. However, this barrier is permeable and substantial larval transport is possible across Seychelles, particularly for one of two putative species found in our genomic study. The broad agreement between predicted connectivity and observed genetic patterns supports the use of such larval dispersal simulations in reef system management in Seychelles and the wider region.
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Affiliation(s)
- April J Burt
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mont Fleuri, Mahé, Seychelles.
| | - Noam Vogt-Vincent
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Helen Johnson
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
| | | | - Steve Kelly
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Sonya M Clegg
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Catherine Head
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Nancy Bunbury
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mont Fleuri, Mahé, Seychelles
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | | | - Marie-May Jeremie
- Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Nasreen Khan
- Island Conservation Society Seychelles, Pointe Larue, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Richard Baxter
- Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre, University of Seychelles, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Gilberte Gendron
- Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre, University of Seychelles, Victoria, Seychelles
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7
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Quigley KM. Breeding and Selecting Corals Resilient to Global Warming. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:209-332. [PMID: 37931139 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021122-093315] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Selective breeding of resilient organisms is an emerging topic in marine conservation. It can help us predict how species will adapt in the future and how we can help restore struggling populations effectively in the present. Scleractinian corals represent a potential tractable model system given their widescale phenotypic plasticity across fitness-related traits and a reproductive life history based on mass synchronized spawning. Here, I explore the justification for breeding in corals, identify underutilized pathways of acclimation, and highlight avenues for quantitative targeted breeding from the coral host and symbiont perspective. Specifically, the facilitation of enhanced heat tolerance by targeted breeding of plasticity mechanisms is underutilized. Evidence from theoretical genetics identifies potential pitfalls, including inattention to physical and genetic characteristics of the receiving environment. Three criteria for breeding emerge from this synthesis: selection from warm, variable reefs that have survived disturbance. This information will be essential to protect what we have and restore what we can.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Quigley
- The Minderoo Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia;
- James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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8
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Randall CJ, Giuliano C, Stephenson B, Whitman TN, Page CA, Treml EA, Logan M, Negri AP. Larval precompetency and settlement behaviour in 25 Indo-Pacific coral species. Commun Biol 2024; 7:142. [PMID: 38297134 PMCID: PMC10830509 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05824-3] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of coral larval precompetency periods and maximum competency windows is fundamental to understanding coral population dynamics, informing biogeography and connectivity patterns, and predicting reef recovery following disturbances. Yet for many species, estimates of these early-life history metrics are scarce and vary widely. Furthermore, settlement cues for many taxa are not known despite consequences to habitat selection. Here we performed a comprehensive experimental time-series investigation of larval settlement behaviour, for 25 Indo-Pacific broadcast-spawning species. To investigate the duration of precompetency, improve predictions of the competency windows, and compare settlement responses within and amongst species, we completed replicated and repeated 24-hour assays that exposed larvae to five common settlement cues. Our study revealed that larval competency in some broadcast-spawning species begins as early as two days post fertilization, but that the precompetency period varies within and between species from about two to six days, with consequences for local retention and population connectivity. We also found that larvae of some species are competent to settle beyond 70 days old and display complex temporal settlement behaviour, challenging the assumption that competency gradually wanes over time and adding to the evidence that larval longevity can support genetic connectivity and long-distance dispersal. Using these data, we grouped coral taxa by short, mid and long precompetency periods, and identified their preferred settlement cues. Taken together, these results inform our understanding of larval dynamics across a broad range of coral species and can be applied to investigations of population dynamics, connectivity, and reef recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly J Randall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
| | | | | | - Taylor N Whitman
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Cathie A Page
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Eric A Treml
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Murray Logan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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9
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Ip YCA, Chang JJM, Tun KPP, Meier R, Huang D. Multispecies environmental DNA metabarcoding sheds light on annual coral spawning events. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6474-6488. [PMID: 35852023 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Synchronous multispecific coral spawning generally occurs annually and forms an integral part of the coral life cycle. Apart from spawning times and species participation, however, much else remains unknown. Here, we applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to study two tropical reef sites of contrasting coral cover before, during and after coral spawning. Using coral-ITS2 and vertebrate-12S markers, we evaluated eDNA as an alternative monitoring tool by assessing its capabilities in detecting spawning species and tracking relative abundances of coral and fish eDNA. Over 3 years, elevated eDNA coral signals during the event (proportional read increase of up to five-fold) were observed, detecting a total of 38 coral and 133 fish species with all but one of the coral species visually observed to be spawning. This is also the first demonstration that eDNA metabarcoding can be used to infer the diurnal partitioning of night- and day-time spawning, spawning in coral species overlooked by visual surveys, and the associated changes in fish trophic structures as an indicator of spawning events. Our study paves the way for applied quantitative eDNA metabarcoding approaches to better study ephemeral and important biological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Cheong Aden Ip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Jin Marc Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Rudolf Meier
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Monfared MA, Sheridan K, Dixon SP, Gledhill M, Le Berre T. Coral spawning patterns of Acropora across two Maldivian reef ecosystems. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16315. [PMID: 37927798 PMCID: PMC10621594 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16315] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns in coral reproductive biology at local and regional scales is crucial to elucidate our knowledge of characteristics that regulate populations and communities. The lack of published data on coral spawning patterns in the Maldives hinders our understanding of coral reproductive biology and limits our ability to assess shifts in reproductive phenology over time. Here we document baseline environmental cues, spawning patterns, exact timings and oocyte development of restored and wild Acropora, inhabiting shallow water reefs, across two Maldivian atolls. A total of 1,200 colonies were recorded spawning across the two sites between October 2021 and April 2023. These colonies represent 22 species of Acropora, with coral spawning observed over an extended period of eight months. This research details exact spawning times of multi-specific spawning, asynchronous spawning and 'split spawning' of Acropora, across multiple lunar phases; and highlights the need to consider restored colonies when discussing the sexual reproductive patterns of Maldivian Acropora in the future. Overall, corals spawned earlier in North Male Atoll compared with Baa Atoll. Earlier spawning events were significantly correlated with lower tide depths, wind speeds, daily precipitation and higher sea surface temperatures which helped explain inter-atoll, inter-annual, and intra-annual variations in spawning day. This study contributes to understanding sexual reproductive cycles of Acropora in the Maldives; knowledge that is vital for effective management of a critically endangered ecosystem in a changing climate.
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11
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Davies TW, Levy O, Tidau S, de Barros Marangoni LF, Wiedenmann J, D'Angelo C, Smyth T. Global disruption of coral broadcast spawning associated with artificial light at night. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2511. [PMID: 37188683 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral broadcast spawning events - in which gametes are released on certain nights predictably in relation to lunar cycles - are critical to the maintenance and recovery of coral reefs following mass mortality. Artificial light at night (ALAN) from coastal and offshore developments threatens coral reef health by masking natural light:dark cycles that synchronize broadcast spawning. Using a recently published atlas of underwater light pollution, we analyze a global dataset of 2135 spawning observations from the 21st century. For the majority of genera, corals exposed to light pollution are spawning between one and three days closer to the full moon compared to those on unlit reefs. ALAN possibly advances the trigger for spawning by creating a perceived period of minimum illuminance between sunset and moonrise on nights following the full moon. Advancing the timing of mass spawning could decrease the probability of gamete fertilization and survival, with clear implications for ecological processes involved in the resilience of reef systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Davies
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
- Israel The H. Steinitz Marine Biology Laboratory, The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat, P.O. Box 469, Eilat, 88103, Israel
| | - Svenja Tidau
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | | | - Joerg Wiedenmann
- Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO143ZH, UK
| | - Cecilia D'Angelo
- Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO143ZH, UK
| | - Tim Smyth
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3DH, UK
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Morita M, Kitanobo S, Ohki S, Shiba K, Inaba K. Positive selection on ADAM10 builds species recognition in the synchronous spawning coral Acropora. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1171495. [PMID: 37152284 PMCID: PMC10157049 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1171495] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The reef-building coral Acropora is a broadcast spawning hermaphrodite including more than 110 species in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, many sympatric species show synchronous spawning. The released gametes need to mate with conspecifics in the mixture of the gametes of many species for their species boundaries. However, the mechanism underlying the species recognition of conspecifics at fertilization remains unknown. We hypothesized that rapid molecular evolution (positive selection) in genes encoding gamete-composing proteins generates polymorphic regions that recognize conspecifics in the mixture of gametes from many species. We identified gamete proteins of Acropora digitifera using mass spectrometry and screened the genes that support branch site models that set the "foreground" branches showing strict fertilization specificity. ADAM10, ADAM17, Integrin α9, and Tetraspanin4 supported branch-site model and had positively selected site(s) that produced polymorphic regions. Therefore, we prepared antibodies against the proteins of A. digitifera that contained positively selected site(s) to analyze their functions in fertilization. The ADAM10 antibody reacted only with egg proteins of A. digitifera, and immunohistochemistry showed ADAM10 localized around the egg surface. Moreover, the ADAM10 antibody inhibited only A. digitifera fertilization but not the relative synchronous spawning species A. papillare. This study indicates that ADAM10 has evolved to gain fertilization specificity during speciation and contributes to species boundaries in this multi-species, synchronous-spawning, and species-rich genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
- *Correspondence: Masaya Morita,
| | - Seiya Kitanobo
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Japan
| | - Shun Ohki
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kogiku Shiba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Japan
| | - Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Japan
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Hughes DJ, Raina JB, Nielsen DA, Suggett DJ, Kühl M. Disentangling compartment functions in sessile marine invertebrates. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:740-748. [PMID: 35570130 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sessile invertebrates are frequently sampled and processed whole for downstream analyses. However, their apparent structural simplicity is deceptive as these organisms often harbour discrete compartments. These compartments have physicochemical conditions that differ markedly from neighbouring tissues, and that have likely evolved to support specific functions. Here, we argue that such compartments should be specifically targeted when characterising sessile invertebrate biology and we use the coral gastrovascular cavity to support our argument. This complex compartment displays steep and dynamic chemical gradients, harbours distinct microorganisms, and presumably plays a key role in coral biology. Disentangling the functions played by (and amongst) compartments will likely provide transformative insight into the biology of sessile invertebrates and their future under environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Hughes
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Daniel A Nielsen
- University of Technology Sydney, School of Life Sciences, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - David J Suggett
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Michael Kühl
- University of Technology Sydney, Climate Change Cluster, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Marine Biology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK 3000 Helsingør, Denmark.
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Kitanobo S, Iwao K, Fukami H, Isomura N, Morita M. First evidence for backcrossing of F1 hybrids in Acropora corals under sperm competition. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5356. [PMID: 35354852 PMCID: PMC8967929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08989-1] [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: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acropora is a species-rich genus of reef-building corals with highly diverse morphologies. Hybridization among intercrossing species potentially influences species diversity within Acropora. However, the mechanisms that allow hybridization/backcrossing remain unknown. Although we tested a limited number of species, we hypothesized that Acropora gametes in the Indo-Pacific may preferentially fertilize conspecific gametes despite their compatibility with heterospecific gametes, leading to infrequent hybridization between potentially intercrossing species. In this study, F1 hybrids of Acropora florida and A. intermedia showed specific fertilization trends. For example, sperm had the ability to backcross with the parental species even in the presence of sperm from the parental species. Also, eggs of the hybrids produced from A. florida eggs and A. intermedia sperm (“FLOint”) exhibited self-fertilization. Since a low ratio of hybridization between A. florida and A. intermedia is predicted, the population size of hybrids should be small. Therefore, self-fertilization would facilitate reproduction of the hybrid in nature, while remaining sperm could outcompete parental species sperm to backcross with eggs. Although we succeeded in breeding two colonies of hybrids, it is reasonable to speculate that hybrids show a high tendency to choose the most efficient sexual reproduction tactics.
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Horizon scan of rapidly advancing coral restoration approaches for 21st century reef management. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:125-136. [PMID: 35119476 PMCID: PMC9023016 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef restoration activity is accelerating worldwide in efforts to offset the rate of reef health declines. Many advances have already been made in restoration practices centred on coral biology (coral restoration), and particularly those that look to employ the high adaptive state and capacity of corals in order to ensure that efforts rebuilding coral biomass also equip reefs with enhanced resilience to future stress. We horizon scan the state-of-play for the many coral restoration innovations already underway across the complex life cycle for corals that spans both asexual and sexual reproduction — assisted evolution (manipulations targeted to the coral host and host-associated microbes), biobanking, as well as scalable coral propagation and planting — and how these innovations are in different stages of maturity to support new 21st century reef management frameworks. Realising the potential for coral restoration tools as management aids undoubtedly rests on validating different approaches as their application continues to scale. Whilst the ecosystem service responses to increased scaling still largely remain to be seen, coral restoration has already delivered immense new understanding of coral and coral-associated microbial biology that has long lagged behind advances in other reef sciences.
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Grinblat M, Cooke I, Shlesinger T, Ben-Zvi O, Loya Y, Miller DJ, Cowman PF. Biogeography, reproductive biology and phylogenetic divergence within the Fungiidae (mushroom corals). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 164:107265. [PMID: 34274488 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
While the escalating impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs are well documented at the coral community level, studies of species-specific trends are less common, owing mostly to the difficulties and uncertainties in delineating coral species. It has also become clear that traditional coral taxonomy based largely on skeletal macromorphology has underestimated the diversity of many coral families. Here, we use targeted enrichment methods to sequence 2476 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exonic loci to investigate the relationship between populations of Fungia fungites from Okinawa, Japan, where this species reproduces by brooding (i.e., internal fertilization), and Papua New Guinea and Australia, where it reproduces by broadcast-spawning (i.e., external fertilization). Moreover, we analyzed the relationships between populations of additional fungiid species (Herpolitha limax and Ctenactis spp.) that reproduce only by broadcast-spawning. Our phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses reveal strong biogeographic structuring in both F. fungites and Herpolitha limax, consistent with cryptic speciation in Okinawa in both species and additionally for H. limax in the Red Sea. By combining UCE/exon data and mitochondrial sequences captured in off-target reads, we reinforce earlier findings that Ctenactis, a genus consisting of three nominal morphospecies, is not a natural group. Our results highlight the need for taxonomic and systematic re-evaluations of some species and genera within the family Fungiidae. This work demonstrates that sequence data generated by the application of targeted capture methods can provide objective criteria by which we can test phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphological and/or life history traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mila Grinblat
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ira Cooke
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Tom Shlesinger
- Institute for Global Ecology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Or Ben-Zvi
- School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Yossi Loya
- School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - David J Miller
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Peter F Cowman
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
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