High diversity of crustose coralline algae microbiomes across species and islands, and implications for coral recruits.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA) play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems, contributing significantly to reef formation and serving as substrates for coral recruitment. The microbiome associated with CCAs may promote coral recruitment, yet these microbial communities remain largely understudied. This study investigates the microbial communities associated with a large number of different CCA species across six different islands of French Polynesia, and assess their potential influence on the microbiome of coral recruits.

Results

Our findings reveal that CCA harbor a large diversity of bacteria that had not been reported until now. The composition of these microbial communities was influenced by geographic location, and was also closely linked to the host species

SUBMITTER: Hochart C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11663328 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature