Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Microbial communities associated with skeletal tumors on Porites compressa
Mya Breitbart1, Ranjeet Bhagooli, Sean Griffin
1Department of Biology, San Diego State University, Life Sciences 301, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA.
Abstract:
Coral tumors are atypical skeletal forms found on coral reefs worldwide. Here we present an analysis of the microbial communities associated with skeletal tumors on the coral Porites compressa. Microbial growth rates on both healthy and tumorous P. compressa were decoupled from the surrounding water column. Microbial communities associated with tumorous colonies had a significantly faster growth rate than those associated with healthy P. compressa. The microbial community associated with the tumors contained more culturable Vibrio spp. and could utilize more carbon sources than the microbes associated with healthy colonies. Presence of tumors affected the composition and dynamics of the microbial population associated with the entire colony.
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
Microbial Mats
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology
The Skin Microbiota
The Oral Microbiota
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

