Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow-mesophotic gradient (15-85 m)

Glasl, Bettina, Bongaerts, Pim, Elisabeth, Nathalie H., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Herndl, Gerhard J., and Frade, Pedro R. (2017) Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow-mesophotic gradient (15-85 m). Coral Reefs, 36 (2). pp. 447-452.

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Abstract

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are generally poorly studied, and our knowledge of lower MCEs (below 60 m depth) is largely limited to visual surveys. Here, we provide a first detailed assessment of the prokaryotic community associated with scleractinian corals over a depth gradient to the lower mesophotic realm (15-85 m). Specimens of three Caribbean coral species exhibiting differences in their depth distribution ranges (Agaricia grahamae, Madracis pharensis and Stephanocoenia intersepta) were collected with a manned submersible on the island of Cura double dagger ao, and their prokaryotic communities assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Corals with narrower depth distribution ranges (depth-specialists) were associated with a stable prokaryotic community, whereas corals with a broader niche range (depth-generalists) revealed a higher variability in their prokaryotic community. The observed depth effects match previously described patterns in Symbiodinium depth zonation. This highlights the contribution of structured microbial communities over depth to the coral's ability to colonize a broader depth range.

Item ID: 50652
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1432-0975
Keywords: mesophotic coral ecosystems, prokaryotic community, 16S rRNA tag sequencing, indicator species
Additional Information:

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Funders: Austrian Science Fund (ASF), Caitlin Group Ltd., Global Change Institute, The Explorers Club (EC), Marie Curie Fellowship (MCF)
Projects and Grants: EC Eddie Bauer Grant for Expedition, MCF FP7-299320, ASF Liese Meitner Program M1363-B20
Date Deposited: 20 Sep 2017 10:53
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3107 Microbiology > 310799 Microbiology not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 80%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9699 Other Environment > 969999 Environment not elsewhere classified @ 20%
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