Chemically Mediated Interactions with Macroalgae Negatively Affect Coral Health but Induce Limited Changes in Coral Microbiomes.

ABSTRACT: Allelopathic chemicals facilitated by the direct contact of macroalgae with corals are potentially an important mechanism mediating coral-macroalgal interactions, but only a few studies have explored their impacts on coral health and microbiomes and the coral's ability to recover. We conducted a field experiment on an equatorial urbanized reef to assess the allelopathic effects of four macroalgal species (Bryopsis sp., Endosiphonia horrida, Hypnea pannosa and Lobophora challengeriae) on the health and microbiomes of three coral species (Merulina ampliata, Montipora stellata and Pocillopora acuta). Following 24 h of exposure, crude extracts of all four macroalgal species caused significant coral tissue bleaching and reduction in effective qua

SUBMITTER: Fong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10535309 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature