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Physiological Characterization of the Coral Holobiont Using a New Micro-Respirometry Tool
Published on: April 28, 2023
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Heat-evolved microalgal symbionts increase coral bleaching tolerance.
P Buerger1,2, C Alvarez-Roa3, C W Coppin1
1CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Land & Water, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia.
Science Advances
|May 20, 2020
Summary
Laboratory evolution of coral microalgal endosymbionts enhanced their thermal tolerance. This adaptation improved coral bleaching resistance in some cases, offering a strategy for climate-resilient coral reefs.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Coral reef ecology
- Symbiosis
Background:
- Coral reefs face significant threats from marine heat waves, leading to mass mortalities.
- Coral bleaching is a major consequence of rising sea temperatures, impacting reef ecosystems globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the thermal tolerance of coral microalgal endosymbionts through laboratory evolution.
- To investigate the potential of evolved endosymbionts in improving coral holobiont bleaching tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Evolved 10 clonal strains of a coral microalgal endosymbiont at elevated temperatures (31°C) for 4 years.
- Assessed in vitro thermal tolerance of evolved algal strains.
- Reintroduced evolved endosymbionts into coral host larvae to evaluate holobiont bleaching tolerance.
Main Results:
- All 10 heat-evolved strains showed increased in vitro thermal tolerance.
- Three of the 10 heat-evolved endosymbiont strains conferred increased bleaching tolerance to the coral holobionts.
- Reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) secretion was observed but did not solely predict thermal tolerance.
- More tolerant symbioses exhibited higher expression of algal carbon fixation and coral heat tolerance genes.
Conclusions:
- Ex hospite laboratory evolution of microalgal endosymbionts can enhance coral climate resilience.
- This approach offers a viable method for developing coral stock with improved heat tolerance.
- Understanding gene expression in symbiosis is crucial for predicting thermal tolerance.
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