Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow–mesophotic gradient (15–85 m)
Glasl, B.; Bongaerts, P.; Elisabeth, N.H.; Hoegh-Guldberg, O.; Herndl, G.J.; Frade, P.R. (2017). Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow–mesophotic gradient (15–85 m). Coral Reefs 36(2): 447-452. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-016-1517-x
In: Coral Reefs. Springer: Berlin; Heidelberg; New York. ISSN 0722-4028; e-ISSN 1432-0975, more
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| Author keywords |
Mesophotic coral ecosystems; Prokaryotic community; 16S rRNA tag sequencing; Indicator species |
| Authors | | Top |
- Glasl, B.
- Bongaerts, P.
- Elisabeth, N.H.
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- Hoegh-Guldberg, O.
- Herndl, G.J., more
- Frade, P.R.
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| Abstract |
Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are generallypoorly studied, and our knowledge of lower MCEs(below 60 mdepth) is largely limited to visual surveys. Here,we provide a first detailed assessment of the prokaryoticcommunity associated with scleractinian corals over a depthgradient to the lower mesophotic realm (15–85 m). Specimensof three Caribbean coral species exhibiting differencesin their depth distribution ranges (Agaricia grahamae,Madracis pharensis and Stephanocoenia intersepta) werecollected with a manned submersible on the island of Curac¸ao, and their prokaryotic communities assessed using 16SrRNA gene sequencing analysis. Corals with narrower depthdistribution ranges (depth-specialists) were associated with astable prokaryotic community, whereas corals with a broaderniche range (depth-generalists) revealed a higher variabilityin their prokaryotic community. The observed depth effectsmatch previously described patterns in Symbiodinium depthzonation. This highlights the contribution of structuredmicrobial communities over depth to the coral’s ability tocolonize a broader depth range. |
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