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Linking host morphology and symbiont performance in octocorals
Sergio Rossi1,2,3, Nadine Schubert4,5, Darren Brown6
1The Environmental Science and Technology Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Campus UAB s/n, Barcelona, 08193, Spain. sergio.rossi@unisalento.it.
Scientific Reports
|August 29, 2018
Summary
Octocorals host Symbiodinium, and their colony shapes significantly impact symbiont function and energy production. This research links octocoral morphology to photobiology, aiding understanding of reef ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Symbiosis Research
- Coral Physiology
Background:
- Octocorals are vital reef builders, often hosting Symbiodinium dinoflagellates.
- Research on octocoral symbiosis is less extensive than for scleractinian corals.
- Previous studies focused on octocoral hosts, neglecting symbiont interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare photophysiological features of Caribbean octocorals.
- To correlate host morphology with symbiont photobiology.
- To understand the energetic contribution of symbionts to octocoral hosts.
Main Methods:
- Photophysiological assessments of nine Caribbean octocoral species.
- Analysis of colony morphology (branch shape, thickness).
- Micromorphological analysis (polyp size, density).
Main Results:
- Significant correlations found between colony/micromorphological features and symbiont performance.
- Thinner branches and smaller polyps (sea fans, plumes) supported higher metabolic rates.
- Photosynthesis to respiration ratios indicated significant autotrophic contribution, especially in sea whips.
Conclusions:
- Octocoral morphology influences Symbiodinium photobiology and host metabolism.
- Host-symbiont interactions are crucial for octocoral energy budgets.
- Morphology-driven symbiosis may explain species distribution and stress susceptibility.
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