The link between immunity and life history traits in scleractinian corals.

ABSTRACT: Immunity is an important biological trait that influences the survival of individuals and the fitness of a species. Immune defenses are costly and likely compete for energy with other life-history traits, such as reproduction and growth, affecting the overall fitness of a species. Competition among these traits in scleractinian corals could influence the dynamics and structural integrity of coral reef communities. Due to variability in biological traits within populations and across species, it is likely that coral colonies within population/species adjust their immune system to the available resources. In corals, the innate immune system is composed of various pathways. The immune system components can be assessed in the absence (constitutive levels) and/or presence of stressors/pathogens

SUBMITTER: Pinzon C JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4217183 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature