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Nativ H, Galili O, Almuly R, Einbinder S, Tchernov D, Mass T. New Record of Dendronephthya sp. (Family: Nephtheidae) from Mediterranean Israel: Evidence for Tropicalization? BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1220. [PMID: 37759619 PMCID: PMC10525964 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Bio-invasions have the potential to provoke cascade effects that can disrupt natural ecosystems and cause ecological regime shifts. The Mediterranean Sea is particularly prone to bio-invasions as the changing water conditions, evoked by climate change, are creating advantageous conditions for Lessepsian migrants from the Red Sea. Recently, in May 2023, a new alien species was documented in the Mediterranean Sea-a soft coral of the genus Dendronephthya. This discovery was made by divers conducting 'Long-Term Ecological Research' surveys, along the coast of Israel, at a depth of 42 m. Genetic and morphological testing suggest that the species identity may be Dendronepthya hemprichi, an Indo-Pacific coral, common in the Red Sea. According to life history traits of this species, such as accelerated attachment to available surfaces and fast growth, we expect it to rapidly expand its distribution and abundance across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagai Nativ
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (H.N.); (R.A.); (S.E.); (D.T.)
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3780400, Israel;
| | - Ori Galili
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3780400, Israel;
| | - Ricardo Almuly
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (H.N.); (R.A.); (S.E.); (D.T.)
| | - Shai Einbinder
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (H.N.); (R.A.); (S.E.); (D.T.)
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3780400, Israel;
| | - Dan Tchernov
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (H.N.); (R.A.); (S.E.); (D.T.)
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3780400, Israel;
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (H.N.); (R.A.); (S.E.); (D.T.)
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3780400, Israel;
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Species-Specific Response of Corals to Imbalanced Ratios of Inorganic Nutrients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043119. [PMID: 36834529 PMCID: PMC9962417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) is a limiting nutrient in the physiology of scleractinian corals. Anthropogenic addition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to coastal reefs increases the seawater DIN:DIP ratio and further increases P limitation, which is detrimental to coral health. The effects of imbalanced DIN:DIP ratios on coral physiology require further investigation in coral species other than the most studied branching corals. Here we investigated the nutrient uptake rates, elemental tissue composition and physiology of a foliose stony coral, Turbinaria reniformis, and a soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum, exposed to four different DIN: DIP ratios (0.5:0.2, 0.5:1, 3:0.2, 3:1). The results show that T. reniformis had high uptake rates of DIN and DIP, proportional to the seawater nutrient concentrations. DIN enrichment alone led to an increase in tissue N content, shifting the tissue N:P ratio towards P limitation. However, S. glaucum had 5 times lower uptake rates and only took up DIN when the seawater was simultaneously enriched with DIP. This double uptake of N and P did not alter tissue stoichiometry. This study allows us to better understand the susceptibility of corals to changes in the DIN:DIP ratio and predict how coral species will respond under eutrophic conditions in the reef.
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Vergara-Florez DC, Abad R, Jaramillo KB, Rodríguez J, Sarmiento A, Sánchez JA. New octocoral records for the Ecuadorian Tropical Eastern Pacific. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2022.2063081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Carolina Vergara-Florez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rubén Abad
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Centro Nacional de Acuicultura e Investigaciones Marinas, CENAIM, Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Tierra y Agua, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Karla. B Jaramillo
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Centro Nacional de Acuicultura e Investigaciones Marinas, CENAIM, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Jenny Rodríguez
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Centro Nacional de Acuicultura e Investigaciones Marinas, CENAIM, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Adriana Sarmiento
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Armando Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina (BIOMMAR), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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4
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Pupier CA, Grover R, Fine M, Rottier C, van de Water JAJM, Ferrier-Pagès C. Dissolved Nitrogen Acquisition in the Symbioses of Soft and Hard Corals With Symbiodiniaceae: A Key to Understanding Their Different Nutritional Strategies? Front Microbiol 2021; 12:657759. [PMID: 34149646 PMCID: PMC8211778 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.657759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen is one of the limiting nutrients for coral growth and primary productivity. Therefore, the capacity of different associations between corals and their algal symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) to efficiently exploit the available nitrogen sources will influence their distribution and abundance. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of nitrogen assimilation in reef-building scleractinian (hard) coral-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses. However, the nutrient metabolism of other coral taxa, such as Alcyoniina (soft corals), remains underexplored. Using stable isotope labeling, we investigated the assimilation of dissolved nitrogen (i.e., ammonium, nitrate, and free amino acids) by multiple species of soft and hard corals sampled in the Gulf of Aqaba in shallow (8-10 m) and mesophotic (40-50 m) reefs. Our results show that dissolved nitrogen assimilation rates per tissue biomass were up to 10-fold higher in hard than in soft coral symbioses for all sources of nitrogen. Although such differences in assimilation rates could be linked to the Symbiodiniaceae density, Symbiodiniaceae species, or the C:N ratio of the host and algal symbiont fractions, none of these parameters were different between the two coral taxa. Instead, the lower assimilation rates in soft coral symbioses might be explained by their different nutritional strategy: whereas soft corals may obtain most of their nitrogen via the capture of planktonic prey by the coral host (heterotrophic feeding), hard corals may rely more on dissolved nitrogen assimilation by their algal symbionts to fulfill their needs. This study highlights different nutritional strategies in soft and hard coral symbioses. A higher reliance on heterotrophy may help soft corals to grow in reefs with higher turbidity, which have a high concentration of particles in suspension in seawater. Further, soft corals may benefit from lower dissolved nitrogen assimilation rates in areas with low water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé A. Pupier
- Marine Department, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
- Collège Doctoral, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Renaud Grover
- Marine Department, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Maoz Fine
- The Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Science in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Cécile Rottier
- Marine Department, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
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5
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Rakka M, Maier SR, Van Oevelen D, Godinho A, Bilan M, Orejas C, Carreiro-Silva M. Contrasting metabolic strategies of two co-occurring deep-sea octocorals. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10633. [PMID: 34017032 PMCID: PMC8138010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The feeding biology of deep-sea octocorals remains poorly understood, as attention is more often directed to reef building corals. The present study focused on two common deep-water octocoral species in the Azores Archipelago, Dentomuricea aff. meteor and Viminella flagellum, aiming at determining their ability to exploit different food sources. We adopted an experimental approach, with three different food sources, including live phytoplankton, live zooplankton and dissolved organic matter (DOM), that were artificially enriched with 13C and 15N (C and N tracers). The presence of tracers was subsequently followed in the coral tissue, C respiration and particulate organic C and N (POC and PON) release. In both species, feeding with zooplankton resulted in significantly higher incorporation of tracers in all measured variables, compared to the other food sources, highlighting the importance of zooplankton for major physiological processes. Our results revealed contrasting metabolic strategies between the two species, with D. aff. meteor acquiring higher amounts of prey and allocating higher percentage to respiration and release of POC and PON than V. flagellum. Such metabolic differences can shape species fitness and distributions and have further ecological implications on the ecosystem function of communities formed by different octocoral species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rakka
- IMAR - Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Frederico Machado 4, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal. .,OKEANOS - Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar da Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
| | - S R Maier
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-Yerseke), Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - D Van Oevelen
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-Yerseke), Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - A Godinho
- IMAR - Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Frederico Machado 4, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.,OKEANOS - Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar da Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - M Bilan
- Dipartimento di scienze e tecnologie biologiche e ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73047, Monteroni di Lecce, LE, Italy
| | - C Orejas
- Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón, Instituto Español de Oceanografia (IEO), Calle de Ramón González Fernández, 70B, 33212, Gijón, Spain
| | - M Carreiro-Silva
- IMAR - Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Frederico Machado 4, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.,OKEANOS - Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar da Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
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6
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Abstract
Tropical scleractinian corals are dependent to varying degrees on their photosymbiotic partners. Under normal levels of temperature and irradiance, they can provide most, but not all, of the host's nutritional requirements. Heterotrophy is required to adequately supply critical nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Scleractinian corals are known as mesozooplankton predators, and most employ tentacle capture. The ability to trap nano- and picoplankton has been demonstrated by several coral species and appears to fulfill a substantial proportion of their daily metabolic requirements. The mechanism of capture likely involves mucociliary activity or extracoelenteric digestion, but the relative contribution of these avenues have not been evaluated. Many corals employ mesenterial filaments to procure food in various forms, but the functional morphology and chemical activities of these structures have been poorly documented. Corals are capable of acquiring nutrition from particulate and dissolved organic matter, although the degree of reliance on these sources generally has not been established. Corals, including tropical, deep- and cold-water species, are known as a major source of carbon and other nutrients for benthic communities through the secretion of mucus, despite wide variation in chemical composition. Mucus is cycled through the planktonic microbial loop, the benthos, and the microbial community within the sediments. The consensus indicates that the dissolved organic fraction of mucus usually exceeds the insoluble portion, and both serve as sources for the growth of nano- and picoplankton. As many corals employ mucus to trap food, a portion is taken back during feeding. The net gain or loss has not been evaluated, although production is generally thought to exceed consumption. The same is true for the net uptake and loss of dissolved organic matter by mucus secretion. Octocorals are thought not to employ mucus capture or mesenterial filaments during feeding and generally rely on tentacular filtration of weakly swimming mesozooplankton, particulates, dissolved organic matter, and picoplankton. Nonsymbiotic species in the tropics favor phytoplankton and weakly swimming zooplankton. Azooxanthellate soft corals are opportunistic feeders and shift their diet according to the season from phyto- and nanoplankton in summer to primarily particulate organic matter (POM) in winter. Cold-water species favor POM, phytodetritus, microplankton, and larger zooplankton when available. Antipatharians apparently feed on mesozooplankton but also use mucus nets, possibly for capture of POM. Feeding modes in this group are poorly known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter M Goldberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
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7
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Muir GKP, Tierney KM, Cook GT, MacKinnon G, Howe JA, Heymans JJ, Hughes DJ, Xu S. Ecosystem uptake and transfer of Sellafield-derived radiocarbon ( 14C). Part 1. The Irish Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 114:792-804. [PMID: 27839777 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.072] [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] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem uptake and transfer processes of Sellafield-derived radiocarbon (14C) within the Irish Sea were examined. Highly variable activities in sediment, seawater and biota indicate complex 14C dispersal and uptake dynamics. All east basin biota exhibited 14C enrichments above ambient background while most west basin biota had 14C activities close to background, although four organisms including two slow-moving species were significantly enriched. The western Irish Sea gyre is a suggested pathway for transfer of 14C to the west basin and retention therein. Despite ongoing Sellafield 14C discharges, organic sediments near Sellafield were significantly less enriched than associated benthic organisms. Rapid scavenging of labile, 14C-enriched organic material by organisms and mixing to depth of 14C-enriched detritus arriving at the sediment/water interface are proposed mechanisms to explain this. All commercially important fish, crustaceans and molluscs showed 14C enrichments above background; however, the radiation dose from their consumption is extremely low and radiologically insignificant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham K P Muir
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, Scotland, UK; The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Kieran M Tierney
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, Scotland, UK; The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Gordon T Cook
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
| | - Gillian MacKinnon
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
| | - John A Howe
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Johanna J Heymans
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - David J Hughes
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Sheng Xu
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
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8
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Piccinetti CC, Ricci R, Pennesi C, Radaelli G, Totti C, Norici A, Giordano M, Olivotto I. Herbivory in the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis (Alcyoniidae). Sci Rep 2016; 6:22679. [PMID: 26951778 PMCID: PMC4782107 DOI: 10.1038/srep22679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Our work provides strong support for the hypothesis that Sinularia flexibilis ingests diatoms such as Thalassiosira pseudonana. We assessed algal ingestion by S. flexibilis through estimates of algal removal, histological analyses, scanning electron microscopy observations, and gene expression determination (18S and silicon transporter 1) by real time PCR. Cell counts are strongly suggestive of algal removal by the coral; light and scanning microscopy provide qualitative evidence for the ingestion of T. pseudonana by S. flexibilis, while molecular markers did not prove to be sufficiently selective/specific to give clear results. We thus propose that previous instances of inability of corals to ingest algae are reconsidered using different technical approach, before concluding that coral herbivory is not a general feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara C Piccinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Pennesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Radaelli
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Cecilia Totti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Norici
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Mario Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.,Institute of Microbiology ASCR, Centrum Algatech, Laboratory of photosynthesis, Opatovický mlýn, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic.,National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science, Venezia, Italy
| | - Ike Olivotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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9
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Leal MC, Ferrier-Pagès C. Molecular trophic markers in marine food webs and their potential use for coral ecology. Mar Genomics 2016; 29:1-7. [PMID: 26896098 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Notable advances in ecological genomics have been driven by high-throughput sequencing technology and taxonomically broad sequence repositories that allow us to accurately assess species interactions with great taxonomic resolution. The use of DNA as a marker for ingested food is particularly relevant to address predator-prey interactions and disentangle complex marine food webs. DNA-based methods benefit from reductionist molecular approaches to address ecosystem scale processes, such as community structure and energy flow across trophic levels, among others. Here we review how molecular trophic markers have been used to better understand trophic interactions in the marine environment and their advantages and limitations. We focus on animal groups where research has been focused, such as marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, pelagic invertebrates and benthic invertebrates, and use case studies to illustrate how DNA-based methods unraveled food-web interactions. The potential of molecular trophic markers for disentangling the complex trophic ecology of corals is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Costa Leal
- Dept. of Fish Ecology Evolution, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Center for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry; Seestrasse 79, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland.
| | - Christine Ferrier-Pagès
- Centre Scientifique du Monaco, Ecophysiology team, 8 Quai Antoine ler, MC-98000 Monaco, Monaco.
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10
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Yeung CW, Cheang CC, Lee MW, Fung HL, Chow WK, Ang P. Environmental variabilities and the distribution of octocorals and black corals in Hong Kong. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 85:774-782. [PMID: 24434001 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A recent comprehensive survey covering 125 sites in Hong Kong waters recorded 29 soft coral species in 14 genera, 38 species of gorgonians in 19 genera and six species of black corals in two genera. Environmental variabilities based on water quality data collected by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department were analyzed using multivariate statistics to find variables that are significantly correlated with coral distribution patterns. Eleven water quality zones with similar environmental variabilities were recognized, which could further be classified into five groups, namely Inner Bay, Outer Bay, Eastern, Western and Southern waters. LINKTREE analysis provided an overall trend indicating the importance of salinity, sediment and nutrient loadings in affecting octocoral and black coral distribution from west to east of Hong Kong waters, and from inner to outer bays. Furthermore, water turbidity and wave exposure could also affect the coral distribution patterns from north, northeast to southern waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Yeung
- Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - C C Cheang
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - M W Lee
- Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - H L Fung
- Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - W K Chow
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - P Ang
- Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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11
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Leal MC, Ferrier-Pagès C, Calado R, Thompson ME, Frischer ME, Nejstgaard JC. Coral feeding on microalgae assessed with molecular trophic markers. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:3870-6. [PMID: 24112432 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Herbivory in corals, especially for symbiotic species, remains controversial. To investigate the capacity of scleractinian and soft corals to capture microalgae, we conducted controlled laboratory experiments offering five algal species: the cryptophyte Rhodomonas marina, the haptophytes Isochrysis galbana and Phaeocystis globosa, and the diatoms Conticribra weissflogii and Thalassiosira pseudonana. Coral species included the symbiotic soft corals Heteroxenia fuscescens and Sinularia flexibilis, the asymbiotic scleractinian coral Tubastrea coccinea, and the symbiotic scleractinian corals Stylophora pistillata, Pavona cactus and Oculina arbuscula. Herbivory was assessed by end-point PCR amplification of algae-specific 18S rRNA gene fragments purified from coral tissue genomic DNA extracts. The ability to capture microalgae varied with coral and algal species and could not be explained by prey size or taxonomy. Herbivory was not detected in S. flexibilis and S. pistillata. P. globosa was the only algal prey that was never captured by any coral. Although predation defence mechanisms have been shown for Phaeocystis spp. against many potential predators, this study is the first to suggest this for corals. This study provides new insights into herbivory in symbiotic corals and suggests that corals may be selective herbivorous feeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel C Leal
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, 10 Ocean Science Circle, 31411, Savannah, GA, USA
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12
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Wagner D, Luck DG, Toonen RJ. The biology and ecology of black corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Antipatharia). ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2012; 63:67-132. [PMID: 22877611 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394282-1.00002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Antipatharians, commonly known as black corals, are treasured by many cultures for medicinal purposes and to produce jewellery. Despite their economic and cultural importance, very little is known about the basic biology and ecology of black corals because most species inhabit deeper-water environments (>50m) which are logistically challenging to study. There has been a recent increase of studies focusing on antipatharians; however, these have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. This literature review seeks to summarize the available information on the biology and ecology of antipatharians. Although black corals occur throughout all oceans and from subtidal to abyssal depths, they are particularly common in tropical and subtropical regions at depths below 50m. Antipatharians are generally found in areas with hard substrates, low-light and strong currents. Under favourable conditions, some black coral species form dense aggregations to the point of becoming ecologically dominant. Zooplankton appears to be the major component of the diet of black corals, which feed as suspension feeders and use mucus and nematocysts to capture their prey. Previously categorized as azooxanthellate corals, recent research has revealed that many antipatharians appear capable of harbouring symbionts, but unlike other corals, dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium are generally not important to the nutrition of black corals. Antipatharians reproduce through both sexual and asexual processes. In general, polyps and colonies are gonochoric, with fertilization and larval development likely occurring externally; however, to date antipatharian larvae have only been observed for a single species. Antipatharians are generally slow-growing and long-lived organisms with maximum longevities ranging from decades to millennia. Black corals are more abundant with depth, a pattern which has been hypothesized to avoid competition with obligate photosynthetic fauna. Additionally, antipatharians may compete for space by using sweeper tentacles and secondary metabolites. With the exception of a few predators such as gastropods and green sea turtles, antipatharians appear to be little impacted by predation. Like other corals, antipatharians can be habitat engineers of importance to a myriad of associated organisms including arthropods, annelids, echinoderms, mollusks, sponges and cnidarians, several of which are adapted to live exclusively on black corals. Given that most black coral species inhabit remote environments, our understanding of these organisms will depend on our ability to effectively sample and study them. Future collections, particularly in deeper waters (>50m), will be needed to determine whether antipatharian species have limited biogeographical distributions or whether this has simply been an artefact of low sampling efforts away from population centres and taxonomic uncertainties within this group. Additionally, biological and ecological studies require increased sample sizes because most information is currently derived from the examination of only a handful of specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wagner
- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA.
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Khalesi MK, Beeftink HH, Wijffels RH. Light-dependency of growth and secondary metabolite production in the captive zooxanthellate soft coral Sinularia flexibilis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 11:488-494. [PMID: 19048343 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-008-9164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2007] [Accepted: 11/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The branching zooxanthellate soft coral Sinularia flexibillis releases antimicrobial and toxic compounds with potential pharmaceutical importance. As photosynthesis by the symbiotic algae is vital to the host, the light-dependency of the coral, including its specific growth rate (micro day(-1)) and the physiological response to a range of light intensities (10-1,000 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)) was studied for 12 weeks. Although a range of irradiances from 100 to 400 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) was favorable for S. flexibilis, based on chlorophyll content, a light intensity around 100 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) was found to be optimal. The contents of both zooxanthellae and chlorophyll a were highest at 100 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1). The specific budding rate showed almost the same pattern as the specific growth rate. The concentration of the terpene flexibilide, produced by this species, increased at high light intensities (200-600 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad K Khalesi
- Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Food and Bioprocess Engineering Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands,
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Abstract
The dual character of corals, that they are both auto- and heterotrophs, was recognized early in the twentieth Century. It is generally accepted that the symbiotic association between corals and their endosymbiotic algae (called zooxanthellae) is fundamental to the development of coral reefs in oligotrophic tropical oceans because zooxanthellae transfer the major part of their photosynthates to the coral host (autotrophic nutrition). However, numerous studies have confirmed that many species of corals are also active heterotrophs, ingesting organisms ranging from bacteria to mesozooplankton. Heterotrophy accounts for between 0 and 66% of the fixed carbon incorporated into coral skeletons and can meet from 15 to 35% of daily metabolic requirements in healthy corals and up to 100% in bleached corals. Apart from this carbon input, feeding is likely to be important to most scleractinian corals, since nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that cannot be supplied from photosynthesis by the coral's symbiotic algae must come from zooplankton capture, particulate matter or dissolved compounds. A recent study showed that during bleaching events some coral species, by increasing their feeding rates, are able to maintain and restore energy reserves. This review assesses the importance and effects of heterotrophy in tropical scleractinian corals. We first provide background information on the different food sources (from dissolved organic matter to meso- and macrozooplankton). We then consider the nutritional inputs of feeding. Finally, we review feeding effects on the different physiological parameters of corals (tissue composition, photosynthesis and skeletal growth).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Houlbrèque
- Stanford University, Geological & Environmental Sciences, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2115, USA.
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Seo SY, Hwang SJ, Song JI. Sexual reproduction ofanthoplexaura dimorpha(Gorgonacea: Octocorallia) from Munseom, Jejudo islands, Korea. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2008.9647177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Van Oppen MJH, Mieog JC, Sánchez CA, Fabricius KE. Diversity of algal endosymbionts (zooxanthellae) in octocorals: the roles of geography and host relationships. Mol Ecol 2005; 14:2403-17. [PMID: 15969723 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2005.02545.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence, genetic identity and diversity of algal endosymbionts (Symbiodinium) in 114 species from 69 genera (20 families) of octocorals from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the far eastern Pacific (EP) and the Caribbean was examined, and patterns of the octocoral-algal symbiosis were compared with patterns in the host phylogeny. Genetic analyses of the zooxanthellae were based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region. In the GBR samples, Symbiodinium clades A and G were encountered with A and G being rare. Clade B zooxanthellae have been previously reported from a GBR octocoral, but are also rare in octocorals from this region. Symbiodinium G has so far only been found in Foraminifera, but is rare in these organisms. In the Caribbean samples, only Symbiodinium clades B and C are present. Hence, Symbiodinium diversity at the level of phylogenetic clades is lower in octocorals from the Caribbean compared to those from the GBR. However, an unprecedented level of ITS1 diversity was observed within individual colonies of some Caribbean gorgonians, implying either that these simultaneously harbour multiple strains of clade B zooxanthellae, or that ITS1 heterogeneity exists within the genomes of some zooxanthellae. Intracladal diversity based on ITS should therefore be interpreted with caution, especially in cases where no independent evidence exists to support distinctiveness, such as ecological distribution or physiological characteristics. All samples from EP are azooxanthellate. Three unrelated GBR taxa that are described in the literature as azooxanthellate (Junceella fragilis, Euplexaura nuttingi and Stereonephthya sp. 1) contain clade G zooxanthellae, and their symbiotic association with zooxanthellae was confirmed by histology. These corals are pale in colour, whereas related azooxanthellate species are brightly coloured. The evolutionary loss or gain of zooxanthellae may have altered the light sensitivity of the host tissues, requiring the animals to adopt or reduce pigmentation. Finally, we superimposed patterns of the octocoral-algal symbiosis onto a molecular phylogeny of the host. The data show that many losses/gains of endosymbiosis have occurred during the evolution of octocorals. The ancestral state (azooxanthellate or zooxanthellate) in octocorals remains unclear, but the data suggest that on an evolutionary timescale octocorals can switch more easily between mixotrophy and heterotrophy compared to scleractinian corals, which coincides with a low reliance on photosynthetic carbon gain in the former group of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J H Van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB no. 3, Townsville MC, Qld 4810, Australia.
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Perkol-Finkel S, Benayahu Y. Recruitment of benthic organisms onto a planned artificial reef: shifts in community structure one decade post-deployment. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2005; 59:79-99. [PMID: 15364510 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.03.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2003] [Revised: 03/20/2004] [Accepted: 03/26/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Most artificial reef (AR) studies have examined the early colonization stages of benthic communities, while only a few have monitored the development of AR communities beyond the initial successional phases and evaluated the time scale needed for such development. In addition, despite the proliferation of AR studies, comparative studies between artificial and natural reefs (NRs) are scarce. We present here the monitoring results of initial (1-2 year) and progressed (10 year) stages of the developing benthic communities of a purpose-planned AR submerged at Eilat, Israel (Red Sea), and compare them to its adjacent NR. Visual surveys of macro-invertebrates were conducted on the initial stages and coral communities were characterized at the progressed stage, using belt transects. The results demonstrate a distinct shift in species composition of the AR communities along the monitoring periods: from a soft coral dominated community, comprised mainly of Dendronephthya hemprichi, in initial developmental stages of up to two years post-deployment, to a community dominated by the sponge Crella cyatophora at year 10. Distinct differences in coral species count, living cover and diversity were found between the AR and its neighboring NR. We estimate the time frame required to develop a progressed diverse AR community to be well over a decade, even in tropical ecosystems. The factors shaping the species composition of purpose-designed ARs in a coral reef environment, including structural design, spatial orientation, depth and age, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Perkol-Finkel
- Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
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Wiens M, Ammar MS, Nawar AH, Koziol C, Hassanein HM, Eisinger M, Müller IM, Müller WE. Induction of heat-shock (stress) protein gene expression by selected natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the octocoral Dendronephthya klunzingeri. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 2000; 245:265-276. [PMID: 10699214 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-0981(99)00167-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Previously it was found that the expression of selected heat-shock proteins is upregulated in corals after exposure to elevated temperature. We published that HSPs are suitable markers in sponges to monitor the degree of environmental stress on these animals. In the present study the heat-shock proteins (HSPs) with a molecular weight of 90 kDa have been selected to prove their potential usefulness as biomarkers under controlled laboratory conditions and in the field. The studies have been performed with the octocoral Dendronephthya klunzingeri4.5-fold higher steady-state level of the respective mRNA. Also animals taken from stressed locations in the field showed an increased expression. The amount of HSP90 protein in D. klunzingeri was found to be strongly increased under thermal stress, or exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (congener 118), but not after treatment with cadmium. Field studies revealed that samples taken from a nonstressed area have a low level of HSP90, but those collected from locations at which the corals are under physical stress (sedimentation through landfilling) show a high expression of HSP90. It is concluded that the chaperone HSP90 might become a suitable biomarker to monitor environmental stress on corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wiens
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Duesbergweg 6, D-55099, Mainz, Germany
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Al-Lihaibi SS, Al-Sofyani AA, Niaz G. Chemical composition of corals in Saudi Red Sea Coast. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0399-1784(98)80033-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Benthic diatoms as the major food source in the sub-Antarctic marine hydroidSilicularia rosea. Polar Biol 1996. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02329070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Fabricius K, Benayahu Y, Yahel G, Genin A. Herbivory in Soft Corals: Correction. Science 1996; 273:295-6. [PMID: 17737250 DOI: 10.1126/science.273.5273.295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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