13C and 15N assimilation and organic matter translocation by the endolithic community in the massive coral Porites lutea.

ABSTRACT: Corals evolved by establishing symbiotic relationships with various microorganisms (the zooxanthellae, filamentous algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses), forming the 'coral holobiont'. Among them, the endolithic community is the least studied. Its main function was considered to be translocation of photo-assimilates to the coral host, particularly during bleaching. Here, we hypothesize that (i) endolithic algae may show similar primary production rates in healthy or bleached corals by changing their pigment ratios, and therefore that similar production and translocation of organic matter may occur at both conditions and (ii) diazotrophs are components of the endolithic community; therefore, N2 fixation and translocation of organic nitrogen may occur. We tested these h

SUBMITTER: Sangsawang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5750018 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature