Coral Skeletal Cores as Windows Into Past Symbiodiniaceae Community Dynamics.

ABSTRACT: The symbiosis between the dinoflagellate Symbiodiniaceae family and reef-building corals underpins the productivity of coral reefs. This relationship facilitates the deposition of calcium-carbonate skeletons that build the reef structure thanks to the energy derived from photosynthesis. The loss of Symbiodiniaceae from coral tissues-resulting in coral bleaching-impedes coral growth and can lead to mass mortality if the symbiosis fails to recover. Given that Symbiodiniaceae communities are dynamic and can shift in response to environmental stressors in the decades to centuries-long lifespan of coral colonies, understanding these changes is crucial. Although the reconstruction of Symbiodiniaceae communities from coral skeleton records has recently been demonstrated as feasible, no studies ha

SUBMITTER: Grillo JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12592972 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature