Differential gene expression during substrate probing in larvae of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides.

ABSTRACT: The transition from larva to adult is a critical step in the life history strategy of most marine animals. However, the genetic basis of this life history change remains poorly understood in many taxa, including most coral species. Recent evidence suggests that coral planula larvae undergo significant changes at the physiological and molecular levels throughout the development. To investigate this, we characterized differential gene expression (DGE) during the transition from planula to adult polyp in the abundant Caribbean reef-building coral Porites astreoides, that is from nonprobing to actively substrate-probing larva, a stage required for colony initiation. This period is crucial for the coral, because it demonstrates preparedness to locate appropriate substrata for settlement based o

SUBMITTER: Walker NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6900098 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature