New study finds that microbes play a significant role in determining coral bleaching susceptibility, according to the American Society for Microbiology.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology by the American Society for Microbiology sheds light on the crucial role of microbes and their interactions in determining the susceptibility of coral reefs to thermal bleaching. The lead author of the study, Dr. Biao Chen from the Coral Reef Research Center of China at Guangxi University, emphasizes the significance of understanding the diversity, community dynamics, and interactions of coral-associated microorganisms in maintaining the health and resilience of coral reefs in the face of climate change.
Coral reefs, known as coral holobionts, consist of a complex ecosystem that includes animal hosts, Symbiodiniaceae (a family of marine dinoflagellates), bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. These organisms exhibit interspecific differences in their response to heat stress and bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures due to global warming. While previous research has recognized the importance of the coral-associated microbiome in influencing the environmental tolerance of coral reefs, the specific interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi and their impact on coral heat tolerance have remained unclear.
To address this gap in knowledge, Dr. Chen's team conducted a study on Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a region known for its elevated risk of coral bleaching due to higher sea surface temperatures compared to nearby areas. The researchers focused on 18 coral species found in the tropical waters of the South China Sea and analyzed the bleaching patterns observed during a significant bleaching event in 2020. By establishing a ranking system for the heat bleaching susceptibility of these coral species, the researchers aimed to understand the underlying factors driving coral response to thermal stress.
In their investigation, the researchers explored the dynamic interactions among coral organisms, particularly the communities of Symbiodiniaceae and fungi. They discovered that corals in Huangyan Island harbored heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae, which were associated with decreased susceptibility to thermal bleaching. Conversely, an increase in fungal diversity and pathogen abundance was linked to higher coral bleaching susceptibility. By constructing an interaction network between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi within corals, the researchers identified strategies to enhance coral heat acclimatization, such as reducing fungal parasitism and strengthening interaction network resilience.
Dr. Chen highlighted the ecological implications of microbial dynamics and the interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi in influencing coral thermal bleaching susceptibility. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the role of microorganisms as drivers of interspecific differences in coral response to heat stress. The research sets the stage for further exploration of how coral-associated microorganisms adapt to the challenges posed by global warming, emphasizing the need for comprehensive datasets and interdisciplinary research encompassing ecology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography, and microbiomics.
Overall, this study underscores the complex interplay between microbes and coral health in the face of climate change, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving these delicate marine ecosystems for future generations.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036272
Coral reefs, known as coral holobionts, consist of a complex ecosystem that includes animal hosts, Symbiodiniaceae (a family of marine dinoflagellates), bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. These organisms exhibit interspecific differences in their response to heat stress and bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures due to global warming. While previous research has recognized the importance of the coral-associated microbiome in influencing the environmental tolerance of coral reefs, the specific interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi and their impact on coral heat tolerance have remained unclear.
To address this gap in knowledge, Dr. Chen's team conducted a study on Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a region known for its elevated risk of coral bleaching due to higher sea surface temperatures compared to nearby areas. The researchers focused on 18 coral species found in the tropical waters of the South China Sea and analyzed the bleaching patterns observed during a significant bleaching event in 2020. By establishing a ranking system for the heat bleaching susceptibility of these coral species, the researchers aimed to understand the underlying factors driving coral response to thermal stress.
In their investigation, the researchers explored the dynamic interactions among coral organisms, particularly the communities of Symbiodiniaceae and fungi. They discovered that corals in Huangyan Island harbored heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae, which were associated with decreased susceptibility to thermal bleaching. Conversely, an increase in fungal diversity and pathogen abundance was linked to higher coral bleaching susceptibility. By constructing an interaction network between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi within corals, the researchers identified strategies to enhance coral heat acclimatization, such as reducing fungal parasitism and strengthening interaction network resilience.
Dr. Chen highlighted the ecological implications of microbial dynamics and the interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and fungi in influencing coral thermal bleaching susceptibility. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the role of microorganisms as drivers of interspecific differences in coral response to heat stress. The research sets the stage for further exploration of how coral-associated microorganisms adapt to the challenges posed by global warming, emphasizing the need for comprehensive datasets and interdisciplinary research encompassing ecology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography, and microbiomics.
Overall, this study underscores the complex interplay between microbes and coral health in the face of climate change, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving these delicate marine ecosystems for future generations.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036272
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