Delivering beneficial microorganisms for corals: rotifers as carriers of probiotic bacteria
Assis, Juliana M., Abreu, Fernanda, Villela, Helena M.D., Barno, Adam, Valle, Rafael F., Vieira, Rayssa, Taveira, Igor, Duarte, Gustavo, Bourne, David G., Høj, Lone, and Peixoto, Raquel S. (2020) Delivering beneficial microorganisms for corals: rotifers as carriers of probiotic bacteria. Frontiers In Microbiology, 11. 608506.
|
PDF (Published Version)
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview |
Abstract
The use of Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMCs) to increase the resistance of corals to environmental stress has proven to be effective in laboratory trials. Because direct inoculation of BMCs in larger tanks or in the field can be challenging, a delivery mechanism is needed for efficient transmission of the BMC consortium. Packaged delivery mechanisms have been successfully used to transmit probiotics to other organisms, including humans, lobsters, and fish. Here, we tested a method for utilizing rotifers of the species Brachionus plicatilis for delivery of BMCs to corals of the species Pocillopora damicornis. Epifluorescence microscopy combined with a live/dead cell staining assay was used to evaluate the viability of the BMCs and monitor their in vivo uptake by the rotifers. The rotifers efficiently ingested BMCs, which accumulated in the digestive system and on the body surface after 10 min of interaction. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the adherence of BMCs to the rotifer surfaces. BMC-enriched rotifers were actively ingested by P. damicornis corals, indicating that this is a promising technique for administering coral probiotics in situ. Studies to track the delivery of probiotics through carriers such as B. plicatilis, and the provision or establishment of beneficial traits in corals are the next proof-of-concept research priorities.
| Item ID: | 65724 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1664-302X |
| Keywords: | Beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs); Rotifers; Marine probiotics; Brachionus plicatilis; Pocillopora damicornis; Delivery; Coral reefs; Microscopy |
| Copyright Information: | Copyright © 2020 Assis, Abreu, Villela, Barno, Valle, Vieira, Taveira, Duarte, Bourne, Høj and Peixoto. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
| Funders: | Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF), Tiffany & Co. Foundation (TCF), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (FURDJ), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium Research Center (RDJMARC), Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro State (FAPERJ), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil (CAPES) |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2021 04:53 |
| FoR Codes: | 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3107 Microbiology > 310703 Microbial ecology @ 50% 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970105 Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences @ 100% |
| Downloads: |
Total: 1030 Last 12 Months: 112 |
| More Statistics |
Actions (Repository Staff Only)
 |
Item Control Page |