First insights into bacterial and microalgal endosymbiont communities of various coral morphotypes from Maldives.

ABSTRACT: The Maldivian Archipelago is home to valuable coral reefs that have been extensively studied for their ecological diversity. However, the diversity of the microbiome in Maldivian corals remains largely unexplored. In this study, the microbiota compositions (including both algal endosymbionts and bacteria) were investigated for the first time across various coral morphotypes sampled in May 2022 from four Maldivian atolls (Ari, North Malé, South Malé, and Rasdhoo). Coral and gorgonian specimens were collected via scuba diving at reef sites located on both ocean-exposed reefs and lagoon sites, across various depths (0-40 m). Surface seawater samples were also collected near coral assemblages. Metabarcoding analyses were performed, targeting the 16S rRNA gene to assess bacterial composition, a

SUBMITTER: Avesani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12095573 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature