Genomic signatures suggesting adaptation to ocean acidification in a coral holobiont from volcanic CO₂ seeps.

ABSTRACT: Ocean acidification, caused by anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, is predicted to have major consequences for reef-building corals, jeopardizing the scaffolding of the most biodiverse marine habitats. However, whether corals can adapt to ocean acidification and how remains unclear. We addressed these questions by re-examining transcriptome and genome data of Acropora millepora coral holobionts from volcanic CO₂ seeps with end-of-century pH levels. We show that adaptation to ocean acidification is a wholistic process involving the three main compartments of the coral holobiont. We identified 441 coral host candidate adaptive genes involved in calcification, response to acidification, and symbiosis; population genetic differentiation in dinoflagellate photosymbionts; and cons

SUBMITTER: Leiva C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10363134 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature