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Maggioni D, Schuchert P, Ostrovsky AN, Schiavo A, Hoeksema BW, Pica D, Piraino S, Arrigoni R, Seveso D, Montalbetti E, Galli P, Montano S. Systematics and character evolution of capitate hydrozoans. Cladistics 2024; 40:107-134. [PMID: 38112464 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12567] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Capitate hydrozoans are a morphologically and ecologically diverse hydrozoan suborder, currently including about 200 species. Being grouped in two clades, Corynida and Zancleida, these hydrozoans still show a number of taxonomic uncertainties at the species, genus and family levels. Many Capitata species established symbiotic relationships with other benthic organisms, including bryozoans, other cnidarians, molluscs and poriferans, as well as with planktonic dinoflagellates for mixotrophic relationships and with bacteria for thiotrophic ectosymbioses. Our study aimed at providing an updated and comprehensive phylogeny reconstruction of the suborder, at modelling the evolution of selected morphological and ecological characters, and at testing evolutionary relationships between the symbiotic lifestyle and the other characters, by integrating taxonomic, ecological and evolutionary data. The phylogenetic hypotheses here presented shed light on the evolutionary relationships within Capitata, with most families and genera being recovered as monophyletic. The genus Zanclea and family Zancleidae, however, were divided into four divergent clades, requiring the establishment of the new genus Apatizanclea and the new combinations for species in Zanclea and Halocoryne genera. The ancestral state reconstructions revealed that symbiosis arose multiple times in the evolutionary history of the Capitata, and that homoplasy is a common phenomenon in the group. Correlations were found between the evolution of symbiosis and morphological characters, such as the perisarc. Overall, our results highlighted that the use of genetic data and a complete knowledge of the life cycles are strongly needed to disentangle taxonomic and systematic issues in capitate hydrozoans. Finally, the colonization of tropical habitat appears to have influenced the evolution of a symbiotic lifestyle, playing important roles in the evolution of the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Maggioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences (BtBs), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Marine Research and Higher Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, 12030, Maldives
| | | | - Andrew N Ostrovsky
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Department of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Andrea Schiavo
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Bert W Hoeksema
- Marine Evolution and Ecology Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, 2333 CR, The Netherlands
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Pica
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, 87071, Italy
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Science (CoNISMa), Rome, 00196, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Roberto Arrigoni
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Genoa Marine Centre (GMC), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa, 16126, Italy
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Marine Research and Higher Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, 12030, Maldives
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Enrico Montalbetti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Marine Research and Higher Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, 12030, Maldives
| | - Paolo Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Marine Research and Higher Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, 12030, Maldives
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Marine Research and Higher Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, 12030, Maldives
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
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van der Schoot RJ, Hoeksema BW. Host specificity of coral-associated fauna and its relevance for coral reef biodiversity. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:65-88. [PMID: 37838302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Coral-associated fauna predominantly consists of invertebrates and constitutes an important component of coral reef biodiversity. The symbionts depend on their hosts for food, shelter and substrate. They may act as parasites by feeding on their hosts, by overgowing their polyps, or by excavating their skeletons. Because some of these species partly reside inside their hosts, they may be cryptic and can easily be overlooked in biodiversity surveys. Since no quantitative overview is available about these inter-specific relationships, this present study adresses variation in host ranges and specificity across four large coral-associated taxa and between the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. These taxa are: coral barnacles (Pyrgomatidae, n = 95), coral gall crabs (Cryptochiridae, n = 54), tubeworms (Serpulidae, n = 31), and date mussels (Lithophaginae, n = 23). A total of 335 host coral species was recorded. An index of host specificity (STD) was calculated per symbiont species, based on distinctness in taxonomic host range levels (species, genus, family, etc.). Mean indices were statistically compared among the four associated taxa and the two oceanic coral reef regions. Barnacles were the most host-specific, tubeworms the least. Indo-Pacific associates were approximately 10 times richer in species and two times more host-specific than their Atlantic counterparts. Coral families varied in the number of associates, with some hosting none. This variation could be linked to host traits (coral growth form, maximum host size) and is most probably also a result of the evolutionary history of the interspecific relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland J van der Schoot
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert W Hoeksema
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Bähr S, van der Meij SET, Terraneo TI, Xu T, Benzoni F. Interspecific coral competition does not affect the symbiosis of gall crabs (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae) and their scleractinian hosts. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10051. [PMID: 37181209 PMCID: PMC10172885 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10051] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs accommodate a myriad of species, many of which live in association with a host organism. Decapod crustaceans make up a large part of this associated fauna on coral reefs. Among these, cryptochirid crabs are obligately associated with scleractinian corals, in which they create dwellings where they permanently reside. These gall crabs show various levels of host specificity, with the majority of cryptochirids inhabiting a specific coral genus or species. Here, we report the first records of gall crabs living in association with two different Porites species in the Red Sea. Crescent-shaped dwellings were observed in Porites rus and a Porites sp. in situ, and colonies with crabs were collected for further study in the laboratory. Using a combination of morphology and DNA barcoding, the crabs were identified as belonging to Opecarcinus, a genus only known to inhabit Agariciidae corals. The coral skeleton was bleached and studied under a stereo microscope, which revealed that the Porites corals overgrew adjoining agariciid Pavona colonies. We hypothesize that the gall crab originally settled on Pavona, its primary host of choice. Due to coral interspecific competition the Porites colony overgrew the adjacent Pavona colonies, resulting in a secondary and never before reported association of Opecarcinus with Porites. These findings suggest that cryptochirid crabs can adapt to the new microenvironment provided by a different coral host and survive competition for space on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Bähr
- Marine Science ProgramBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering DivisionKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
- KAUST Red Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Sancia E. T. van der Meij
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Science (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
- Marine Biodiversity GroupNaturalis Biodiversity CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Tullia I. Terraneo
- Marine Science ProgramBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering DivisionKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
- KAUST Red Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Tao Xu
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Science (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Francesca Benzoni
- Marine Science ProgramBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering DivisionKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
- KAUST Red Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
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Maggioni D, Furfaro G, Solca M, Seveso D, Galli P, Montano S. Being Safe, but Not Too Safe: A Nudibranch Feeding on a Bryozoan-Associated Hydrozoan. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Nudibranchs have a mostly carnivorous diet, and they prey on a wide variety of other animal taxa. Many species, mainly belonging to the Cladobranchia suborder, feed on cnidarians, including member of the class Hydrozoa. Several hydrozoan species display a symbiotic lifestyle, being associated with other benthic invertebrates, including for instance bryozoans, corals, octocorals, and sponges. In our knowledge, no record of nudibranch predation on symbiotic hydrozoans has been reported so far, possibly thanks to the protective action by the host towards its symbiotic hydrozoan. Here, we show the unexpected case of a nudibranch belonging to the recently described species Sakuraeolis marhe (Fernández-Simón and Moles, 2023) feeding on Zanclea sp. 2, a hydrozoan associated with the cheilostome bryozoan Celleporaria sp. This trophic association is confirmed by the presence and storage of the nematocysts into the nudibranch cnidosacs. Moreover, the nudibranch appears to selectively store mostly a single type of nematocyst, that is large size stenotele. The observation here reported represents the first well-documented record of a nudibranch feeding on a symbiotic hydrozoan and the first confirmed case of predation on Zanclea polyps. Moreover, we provide additional genetic information and the first description of the internal anatomy of S. marhe.
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van der Schoot RJ, Hoeksema BW. Abundance of coral-associated fauna in relation to depth and eutrophication along the leeward side of Curaçao, southern Caribbean. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 181:105738. [PMID: 36075156 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coral-associated invertebrates contribute much to the biodiversity of Caribbean coral reefs. Although the nature of their symbiotic relation is usually not fully understood, they can cause damage to their hosts, especially when they occur in high densities. The abundance of seven groups of coral-associated invertebrates was investigated on reefs along the leeward side of Curaçao, southern Caribbean. In particular, coral barnacles (Pyrgomatidae), boring mussels (Mytilidae: Leiosolenus spp.), gall crabs (Cryptochiridae), and Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus spp.) were recorded together with their host corals by means of a photo survey at four depths (5, 10, 15, 20 m) and across seven sites with high and five sites with low eutrophication values (based on δ15N isotope data). Feather duster worms (Sabellidae: Anamobaea), coral blennies (Chaenopsidae: Acanthemblemaria), and worm snails (Vermetidae: Petaloconchus) were insufficiently abundant for thorough quantitative analyses. The results show a decrease in the number of barnacles and Christmas tree worms per host over depth, which could be related to the availability of their host corals. Sites with high δ15N values show a higher abundance of barnacles and Christmas tree worms per host than sites with low values. This indicates that eutrophication could be favourable for these filter feeding organisms but when their densities become too high, they tend to overgrow their hosts and may become a threat to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland J van der Schoot
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300, RA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700, CC, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bert W Hoeksema
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300, RA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700, CC, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Morphological Modifications and Injuries of Corals Caused by Symbiotic Feather Duster Worms (Sabellidae) in the Caribbean. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14050332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Some coral-associated invertebrates are known for the negative impact they have on the health of their hosts. During biodiversity surveys on the coral reefs of Curaçao and a study of photo archives of Curaçao, Bonaire, and St. Eustatius, the Caribbean split-crown feather duster worm Anamobaea sp. (Sabellidae) was discovered as an associate of 27 stony coral species (Scleractinia spp. and Millepora spp.). The worm was also found in association with an encrusting octocoral (Erythropodium caribaeorum), a colonial tunicate (Trididemnum solidum), various sponge species, and thallose algae (mainly Lobophora sp.), each hypothesized to be secondary hosts. The worms were also common on dead coral. Sabellids of the genera Bispira and Sabellastarte were all found on dead coral. Some of them appeared to have settled next to live corals or on patches of dead coral skeleton surrounded by living coral tissue, forming pseudo-associations. Associated Anamobaea worms can cause distinct injuries in most host coral species and morphological deformities in a few of them. Since Anamobaea worms can form high densities, they have the potential to become a pest species on Caribbean coral reefs when environmental conditions become more favorable for them.
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Dehnert I, Saponari L, Galli P, Montano S. Comparing different farming habitats for mid-water rope nurseries to advance coral restoration efforts in the Maldives. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12874. [PMID: 35233294 PMCID: PMC8882334 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The need for comprehensive and effective coral restoration projects, as part of a broader conservation management strategy, is accelerating in the face of coral reef ecosystem decline. This study aims to expand the currently limited knowledge base for restoration techniques in the Maldives by testing the performance of mid-water rope nurseries in a lagoon and a reef habitat. We examined whether different coral farming habitats impacted fragment survival, health and growth of two coral genera and how the occurrence of mutualistic fauna, predation and disease influenced coral rearing success. Two nurseries were stocked with a total of 448 Pocillopora verrucosa and 96 Acropora spp. fragments, divided into different groups (four Pocillopora groups: lagoon nursery at 5 m; reef nursery at 5, 10 and 15 m; two Acropora groups: lagoon nursery at 5 m and reef nursery at 5 m). Eight fragment replicates from the same donor colony (Pocillopora genets: N = 14, Acropora genets N = 6) were used in each group and monitored for one year. Our results show that fragment survival was high in both farming habitats (>90%), with P. verrucosa surviving significantly better in the lagoon and Acropora spp. surviving and growing significantly faster in the reef nursery. P. verrucosa growth rates were similar between reef and lagoon habitat. Different rearing depths in the reef nursery had no impact on the survival of P. verrucosa but coral growth decreased considerably with depth, reducing fragments' ecological volume augmentation and growth rates by almost half from 5 to 15 m depth. Further, higher fish predation rates on fragments were recorded on the reef, which did not impact overall nursery performance. Mutualistic fauna, which correlated positively with fragment survival, was more frequently observed in the lagoon nursery. The occurrence of disease was noted in both habitats, even though implications for fragment health were more severe in the lagoon. Overall, our study demonstrates that lagoon and reef nurseries are suitable for rearing large numbers of coral fragments for transplantation. Nevertheless, we recommend considering the specific environmental conditions of the farming habitat, in particular water quality and year-round accessibility, in each case and to adjust the coral farming strategy accordingly. We hope that this novel research encourages the increased application of mid-water rope nurseries for 'coral gardening' to advance coral reef recovery and climate resilience in the Maldives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Dehnert
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy,MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Republic of Maldives
| | - Luca Saponari
- The Centre for Environment & Education, Nature Seychelles, Mahe, Republic of Seychelles
| | - Paolo Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy,MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Republic of Maldives
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy,MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Republic of Maldives
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García-Hernández JE, Tuohy E, Toledo-Rodríguez DA, Sherman C, Schizas NV, Weil E. Detrimental conditions affecting Xestospongia muta across shallow and mesophotic coral reefs off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2021; 147:47-61. [PMID: 34789587 DOI: 10.3354/dao03633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are fundamental components of coral reef communities and, unfortunately, like other major benthic members, they too have been impacted by epizootic and panzootic events. We report on the prevalence of disease-like conditions affecting populations of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta across shallow and mesophotic coral reefs off La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR) and Mona Island Marine Reserve (MIMR) in Puerto Rico. Four different conditions affecting X. muta were observed during our surveys, of which 3 have been previously reported: cyclic spotted bleaching (CSB; apparently non-lethal), Xestospongia-tissue wasting disease (X-TWD; apparently lethal), and sponge orange band disease (SOB; sparsely associated with X-TWD infected individuals). Additionally, we describe a fourth condition, Xestospongia-tissue hardening condition (X-THC), a previously unreported disease recently observed along the insular shelf margin off LPNR and MIMR. Within LPNR, a total of 764 specimens of X. muta were inspected and measured. Of these, 590 sponges (72.2%) had CSB, 25 (3.27%) had signs of X-TWD, 7 (0.92%) had SOB, and the remaining 142 (18.6%) were apparently healthy. Three colonies inhabiting upper mesophotic depths on the LPNR insular shelf showed signs of CSB and X-TWD. At MIMR, video-transect surveys revealed a total of 514 colonies, of which 40 (7.78%) had signs of CSB and/or XTWD, 14 (2.72%) were affected by X-THC, while the remaining 460 (89.5%) showed no external signs of disease and appeared healthy. The presence of 4 concomitant disease-like conditions in barrel sponges of Puerto Rico is alarming, and indicative of the deteriorating status of Caribbean coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E García-Hernández
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, PO Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681, USA
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Abstract
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth and one of the richest in terms of species interactions. Scleractinian corals are usually the most likely to provide numerous different habitats and to support many symbiotic relationships. However, many other invertebrate groups, such as sponges, bryozoans, and other cnidarians, establish strict symbiotic relationships with other marine organisms. Despite the nature of these relationships—as well as the factors that drive their establishment—being unclear in most cases, a few studies have already shown that some associations may increase the resistance of their hosts to external disturbances. Thus, the potential ability of each member of these diverse symbiotic assemblages to influence the fitness and long-term survival of their hosts bring the coral-associated fauna to the top of the list of coral reef studies. Unfortunately, the widespread degradation of coral reef ecosystems may threaten the existence of the intimate relationships that may go unrecognized complicating our understanding of the intricate networks connecting the fates of reef species. Therefore, this unprecedented loss of biodiversity calls for synergic conservation and monitoring actions aimed at significantly increasing our efforts to search for and describe as much of the diversity of coral-associated organisms as possible, shedding new light on the complex, elusive mechanisms controlling coral reef functioning.
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Coral Disease Causes, Consequences, and Risk within Coral Restoration. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:793-807. [PMID: 32739101 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As a result of increased reef degradation, restoration efforts are now being widely applied on coral reefs. However, outplanted coral survival in restoration zones varies substantially, and coral mortality can be a significant limitation to the success of restoration efforts. With reef restoration now occurring within, and adjacent to, nationally preserved and managed marine parks, the potential risks of mortality events and disease spread to adjacent marine populations need to be considered, particularly as these ecosystems continue to decline. We review the causes and consequences of coral mortality and disease outbreaks within the context of coral restoration, highlighting knowledge gaps in our understanding of the restored coral microbiome and discussing management practices for assessing coral disease. We identify the need for research efforts into monitoring and diagnostics of disease within coral restoration, as well as practices to mitigate and manage coral disease risks in restoration.
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Multi-Temporal UAV Data and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) for Estimation of Substrate Changes in a Post-Bleaching Scenario on a Maldivian Reef. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12132093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs are declining worldwide as a result of the effects of multiple natural and anthropogenic stressors, including regional-scale temperature-induced coral bleaching. Such events have caused significant coral mortality, leading to an evident structural collapse of reefs and shifts in associated benthic communities. In this scenario, reasonable mapping techniques and best practices are critical to improving data collection to describe spatial and temporal patterns of coral reefs after a significant bleaching impact. Our study employed the potential of a consumer-grade drone, coupled with structure from motion and object-based image analysis to investigate for the first time a tool to monitor changes in substrate composition and the associated deterioration in reef environments in a Maldivian shallow-water coral reef. Three key substrate types (hard coral, coral rubble and sand) were detected with high accuracy on high-resolution orthomosaics collected from four sub-areas. Multi-temporal acquisition of UAV data allowed us to compare the classified maps over time (February 2017, November 2018) and obtain evidence of the relevant deterioration in structural complexity of flat reef environments that occurred after the 2016 mass bleaching event. We believe that our proposed methodology offers a cost-effective procedure that is well suited to generate maps for the long-term monitoring of changes in substrate type and reef complexity in shallow water.
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Maggioni D, Schiavo A, Ostrovsky AN, Seveso D, Galli P, Arrigoni R, Berumen ML, Benzoni F, Montano S. Cryptic species and host specificity in the bryozoan-associated hydrozoan Zanclea divergens (Hydrozoa, Zancleidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 151:106893. [PMID: 32562820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Zanclea divergens is a tropical hydrozoan living in symbiotic association with bryozoans and currently reported from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Maldives. Here, we used an integrative approach to assess the morpho-molecular diversity of the species across the Indo-Pacific. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses based on seven mitochondrial and nuclear loci revealed four well-supported molecular lineages corresponding to cryptic species, and representing a Pacific clade, an Indian clade, and two Red Sea clades. Since the general polyp morphology was almost identical in all samples, the nematocyst capsules were measured and analysed to search for possible fine-scale differences, and their statistical treatment revealed a significant difference in terms of length and width among the clades investigated. All Zanclea divergens specimens were specifically associated with cheilostome bryozoans belonging to the genus Celleporaria. The Pacific and Indian clades were associated with Celleporaria sp. and C. vermiformis, respectively, whereas both Red Sea lineages were associated with C. pigmentaria. Nevertheless, the sequencing of host bryozoans revealed that one of the Red Sea hydrozoan clades is associated with two morphologically undistinguishable, but genetically divergent, bryozoan species. Overall, our results show that Z. divergens is a species complex composed of morphologically cryptic lineages showing partially disjunct distributions and host specificity. The presence of two sympatric lineages living on the same host species reveal complex dynamics of diversification, and future research aimed at understanding their diversification process will likely improve our knowledge on the mechanisms of speciation among currently sympatric cryptic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Maggioni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, 12030 Faafu Magoodhoo, Maldives.
| | - Andrea Schiavo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, 12030 Faafu Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Andrew N Ostrovsky
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, 12030 Faafu Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Paolo Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, 12030 Faafu Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Roberto Arrigoni
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955-6900 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Francesca Benzoni
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955-6900 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, 12030 Faafu Magoodhoo, Maldives
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Green Fluorescence Patterns in Closely Related Symbiotic Species of Zanclea (Hydrozoa, Capitata). DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Green fluorescence is a common phenomenon in marine invertebrates and is caused by green fluorescent proteins. Many hydrozoan species display fluorescence in their polyps and/or medusa stages, and in a few cases patterns of green fluorescence have been demonstrated to differ between closely related species. Hydrozoans are often characterized by the presence of cryptic species, due to the paucity of available morphological diagnostic characters. Zanclea species are not an exception, showing high genetic divergence compared to a uniform morphology. In this work, the presence of green fluorescence and the morpho-molecular diversity of six coral- and bryozoan-associated Zanclea species from the Maldivian coral reefs were investigated. Specifically, the presence of green fluorescence in polyps and newly released medusae was explored, the general morphology, as well as the cnidome and the interaction with the hosts, were characterized, and the 16S rRNA region was sequenced and analyzed. Overall, Zanclea species showed a similar morphology, with little differences in the general morphological features and in the cnidome. Three of the analyzed species did not show any fluorescence in both life stages. Three other Zanclea species, including two coral-associated cryptic species, were distinguished by species-specific fluorescence patterns in the medusae. Altogether, the results confirmed the morphological similarity despite high genetic divergence in Zanclea species and indicated that fluorescence patterns may be a promising tool in further discriminating closely related and cryptic species. Therefore, the assessment of fluorescence at a large scale in the whole Zancleidae family may be useful to shed light on the diversity of this enigmatic taxon.
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14
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Maggioni D, Montano S, Voigt O, Seveso D, Galli P. A mesophotic hotel: the octocoral Bebryce cf. grandicalyx as a host. Ecology 2019; 101:e02950. [PMID: 31840233 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Maggioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra (DISAT), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.,Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 12030, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, Republic of Maldives
| | - Simone Montano
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra (DISAT), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.,Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 12030, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, Republic of Maldives
| | - Oliver Voigt
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology and Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, München, Germany
| | - Davide Seveso
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra (DISAT), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.,Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 12030, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, Republic of Maldives
| | - Paolo Galli
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra (DISAT), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.,Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 12030, Faafu Magoodhoo Island, Republic of Maldives
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15
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Manca F, Puce S, Caragnano A, Maggioni D, Pica D, Seveso D, Galli P, Montano S. Symbiont footprints highlight the diversity of scleractinian‐associated
Zanclea
hydrozoans (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa). ZOOL SCR 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Manca
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Stefania Puce
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Annalisa Caragnano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Davide Maggioni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) University of Milano-Bicocca Milan Italy
- Marine Research and High Education Center (MaRHE Center) Magoodhoo Island Faafu Atoll Republic of Maldives
| | - Daniela Pica
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) University of Milano-Bicocca Milan Italy
- Marine Research and High Education Center (MaRHE Center) Magoodhoo Island Faafu Atoll Republic of Maldives
| | - Paolo Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) University of Milano-Bicocca Milan Italy
- Marine Research and High Education Center (MaRHE Center) Magoodhoo Island Faafu Atoll Republic of Maldives
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) University of Milano-Bicocca Milan Italy
- Marine Research and High Education Center (MaRHE Center) Magoodhoo Island Faafu Atoll Republic of Maldives
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