Yuen, Yeong Shyan, Yamazaki, Seitaro S., Baird, Andrew H., Nakamura, Takashi, and Yamasaki, Hideo (2013) Sulfate-reducing bacteria in the skeleton of the massive coral Goniastrea aspera from the Great Barrier Reef. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies, 15 (Special Issue). pp. 154-159.

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Abstract

Coral skeletons harbor diverse assemblages of endolithic microorganisms that often have a profound influence on the ecology and physiology of the coral host. While the cyanobacterial and eukaryotic microalgal components of these endolithic assemblages are well characterized, information on the other components remains scarce. Here, we characterize the endolithic microbial assemblages in the skeleton of the massive coral Goniastrea aspera in both oligotrohic and eutrophic environments. In addition to the green bands typically found in massive coral skeletons, multiple black bands were observed in skeletons from oligotrophic waters. Sequence analysis of the dsrB (dissimilatroy sulfite reductase beta-subunit) gene revealed that colonies with black bands harbor a diverse assemblage of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In contrast, SRB were not detected in skeletons from eutrophic waters. We conclude that increases in nutrients may have an important effect on the microbial assemblages residing within coral skeletons.

Item ID:	22519
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1883-3969
Keywords:	coral reef, endolithic microorganisms, mutualisms, pollution
Related URLs:	Publisher
Additional Information:	Paper from the Second Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, Phuket, Thailand, 20-24 June, 2010
Funders:	21st COE project for University of the Ryukyus from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2012 23:44
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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