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Bacterial Communities Associated With Crustose Coralline Algae Are Host-Specific
Abigail C Turnlund1,2,3, Paul A O'Brien1, Laura Rix1
1Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Microbiologyopen
|January 15, 2026
Summary
Crustose coralline algae (CCA) host distinct bacterial communities that vary by algal species and phylogeny. Environmental factors like light and depth also influence these crucial reef-building algae microbiomes.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Microbial Ecology
- Coral Reef Science
Background:
- Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are vital for coral reef ecosystems, supporting growth, stability, and recruitment.
- The bacterial communities associated with CCA are largely uncharacterized, representing a significant knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the surface microbial communities of diverse Indo-Pacific CCA species.
- To investigate the factors driving the structure and diversity of CCA-associated bacterial communities.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was employed to analyze microbial communities.
- Samples were collected from 15 CCA species across eight families on the Great Barrier Reef.
Main Results:
- CCA microbial community composition was distinct and primarily differentiated by algal host species.
- Bacterial community divergence correlated with host phylogeny and environmental parameters like light and depth.
- This study provides foundational data on CCA bacterial communities across a wide range of species.
Conclusions:
- Algal host species and phylogeny are key drivers of CCA-associated bacterial communities.
- Environmental factors play a role in shaping these microbial associations.
- This research establishes essential baseline data for future studies on CCA microbial symbiosis.
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