Long-term maintenance of a heterologous symbiont association in Acropora palmata on natural reefs.

ABSTRACT: The sensitivity of reef-building coral to elevated temperature is a function of their symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae. Changes in the composition of the endosymbiont community in response to thermal stress can increase coral thermal tolerance. Consequently, this mechanism is being investigated as a human-assisted intervention for rapid acclimation of coral in the face of climate change. Successful establishment of novel symbioses that increase coral thermal tolerance have been demonstrated in laboratory conditions; however, it is unclear how long these heterologous relationships persist in nature. Here, we test the persistence of a novel symbiosis between Acropora palmata and Durusdinium spp. from Mote Marine Laboratory's ex situ nursery by outplanting clo

SUBMITTER: Elder H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9938269 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature