Holobiont responses of mesophotic precious red coral Corallium rubrum to thermal anomalies.

ABSTRACT: Marine heat waves (MHWs) have increased in frequency and intensity worldwide, causing mass mortality of benthic organisms and loss of biodiversity in shallow waters. The Mediterranean Sea is no exception, with shallow populations of habitat-forming octocorals facing the threat of local extinction. The mesophotic zone, which is less affected by MHWs, may be of ecological importance in conservation strategies for these species. However, our understanding of the response of mesophotic octocoral holobionts to changes in seawater temperature remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study on an iconic Mediterranean octocoral, the red coral Corallium rubrum sampled at 60 m depth and 15 °C. We exposed the colonies to temperatures they occasionally experience (18 °C) and tempe

SUBMITTER: Tignat-Perrier R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10424431 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature