Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Isoscapes of Reef Corals and Algal Symbionts: Relative Influences of Environmental Gradients and Heterotrophy.

ABSTRACT: The elemental (C/N) and stable isotopic (δ13C, δ15N) compositions and compound-specific δ15N values of amino acids (δ15NAA) were evaluated for coral holobionts as diagnostic tools to detect spatiotemporal environmental heterogeneity and its effects on coral health. Hermatypic coral samples of eight species were collected at 12 reef sites with differing levels of pollution stress. The C/N ratios, δ13C values, and δ15N values of coral tissues and endosymbiotic algae were determined for 193 coral holobionts, and the amino acid composition and δ15NAA values of selected samples were analyzed. δ15N values were influenced most by pollution stress, while C/N ratios and δ13C values depended most strongly on species. The results imply that δ13C and δ15N values are useful indicators for distinguishin

SUBMITTER: Fujii T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7464353 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature