Species-specific control of external superoxide levels by the coral holobiont during a natural bleaching event.

ABSTRACT: The reactive oxygen species superoxide (O₂^·-) is both beneficial and detrimental to life. Within corals, superoxide may contribute to pathogen resistance but also bleaching, the loss of essential algal symbionts. Yet, the role of superoxide in coral health and physiology is not completely understood owing to a lack of direct in situ observations. By conducting field measurements of superoxide produced by corals during a bleaching event, we show substantial species-specific variation in external superoxide levels, which reflect the balance of production and degradation processes. Extracellular superoxide concentrations are independent of light, algal symbiont abundance and bleaching status, but depend on coral species and bacterial community composition. Furthermore, c

SUBMITTER: Diaz JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5150980 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature