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Main Authors: Scucchia, Federica, Malik, Assaf, Putnam, H M, Mass, Tali
Format: Dataset Open Access
Language:en
Published: PANGAEA 2021
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.936541
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author Scucchia, Federica
Malik, Assaf
Putnam, H M
Mass, Tali
author_facet Scucchia, Federica
Malik, Assaf
Putnam, H M
Mass, Tali
collection Datos científicos de ciencias marinas y ambientales
contents The integrity of coral reefs worldwide is jeopardized by ocean acidification (OA). Most studies conducted so far have focused on the vulnerability to OA of corals inhabiting shallow reefs, while nothing is currently known about the response of mesophotic scleractinian corals. In this study we assessed the susceptibility to OA of corals, together with their algal partners, inhabiting a wide depth range. We exposed fragments of the depth generalist coral Stylophora pistillata collected from either 5 or 45 meters to simulated future OA conditions, and assessed key molecular, physiological and photosynthetic processes influenced by the lowered pH. Our comparative analysis reveals that mesophotic and shallow S. pistillata corals are genetically distinct and possess different symbiont types. Under the exposure to acidification conditions, we observed a 50% drop of metabolic rate in shallow corals, whereas mesophotic corals were able to maintain unaltered metabolic rates. Overall, our gene expression and physiological analyses show that mesophotic corals possess a greater capacity to cope with the effects of OA compared to their shallow counterparts. Such capability stems from physiological characteristics (i.e. biomass and lipids energetics), a greater capacity to regulate cellular acid-base parameters, and a higher baseline expression of cell-adhesion and extracellular matrix genes. Moreover, our gene expression analysis suggests that the enhanced symbiont photochemical efficiency under high pCO₂ levels could prevent acidosis of the host cells and it could support a greater translocation of photosynthates, increasing the energy pool available to the host. With this work, we provide new insights on the response to OA of corals living at mesophotic depths. Our investigation discloses key genetic and physiological traits underlying the potential for corals to cope with future OA conditions.
format Dataset Open Access
id pangaea_https___doi_org_10_1594_PANGAEA_936541
institution PANGAEA
language en
publishDate 2021
publisher PANGAEA
record_format pangaea
spellingShingle Seawater carbonate chemistry and proportion of transcriptome changing, coral protein concentration, respiration rates, algal photosynthetic parameters
Scucchia, Federica
Malik, Assaf
Putnam, H M
Mass, Tali
Alkalinity, total; Animalia; Aragonite saturation state; Benthic animals; Benthos; Bicarbonate ion; Biomass/Abundance/Elemental composition; Calcite saturation state; Calculated using seacarb after Nisumaa et al. (2010); Carbon, inorganic, dissolved; Carbonate ion; Carbonate system computation flag; Carbon dioxide; Chlorophyll a, per protein mass; Chlorophyll a per cell; Class; Coast and continental shelf; Comment; Containers and aquaria (20-1000 L or < 1 m**2); Depth, description; Electron transport rate, relative; EXP; Experiment; Experiment duration; Frequency; Fugacity of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air); Gene expression (incl. proteomics); Gulf_of_Eilat; Irradiance; Laboratory experiment; Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II; OA-ICC; Ocean acidification; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre; Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air); pH, NBS scale; pH, total scale; Potentiometric; Potentiometric titration; Primary production/Photosynthesis; Protein per surface area; Proteins; Red Sea; Registration number of species; Replicate; Respiration rate, oxygen; Salinity; Single species; Species; Stylophora pistillata; Symbiont cell density; Temperate; Temperature, water; Treatment; Type; Uniform resource locator/link to reference
The integrity of coral reefs worldwide is jeopardized by ocean acidification (OA). Most studies conducted so far have focused on the vulnerability to OA of corals inhabiting shallow reefs, while nothing is currently known about the response of mesophotic scleractinian corals. In this study we assessed the susceptibility to OA of corals, together with their algal partners, inhabiting a wide depth range. We exposed fragments of the depth generalist coral Stylophora pistillata collected from either 5 or 45 meters to simulated future OA conditions, and assessed key molecular, physiological and photosynthetic processes influenced by the lowered pH. Our comparative analysis reveals that mesophotic and shallow S. pistillata corals are genetically distinct and possess different symbiont types. Under the exposure to acidification conditions, we observed a 50% drop of metabolic rate in shallow corals, whereas mesophotic corals were able to maintain unaltered metabolic rates. Overall, our gene expression and physiological analyses show that mesophotic corals possess a greater capacity to cope with the effects of OA compared to their shallow counterparts. Such capability stems from physiological characteristics (i.e. biomass and lipids energetics), a greater capacity to regulate cellular acid-base parameters, and a higher baseline expression of cell-adhesion and extracellular matrix genes. Moreover, our gene expression analysis suggests that the enhanced symbiont photochemical efficiency under high pCO₂ levels could prevent acidosis of the host cells and it could support a greater translocation of photosynthates, increasing the energy pool available to the host. With this work, we provide new insights on the response to OA of corals living at mesophotic depths. Our investigation discloses key genetic and physiological traits underlying the potential for corals to cope with future OA conditions.
title Seawater carbonate chemistry and proportion of transcriptome changing, coral protein concentration, respiration rates, algal photosynthetic parameters
topic Alkalinity, total; Animalia; Aragonite saturation state; Benthic animals; Benthos; Bicarbonate ion; Biomass/Abundance/Elemental composition; Calcite saturation state; Calculated using seacarb after Nisumaa et al. (2010); Carbon, inorganic, dissolved; Carbonate ion; Carbonate system computation flag; Carbon dioxide; Chlorophyll a, per protein mass; Chlorophyll a per cell; Class; Coast and continental shelf; Comment; Containers and aquaria (20-1000 L or < 1 m**2); Depth, description; Electron transport rate, relative; EXP; Experiment; Experiment duration; Frequency; Fugacity of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air); Gene expression (incl. proteomics); Gulf_of_Eilat; Irradiance; Laboratory experiment; Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II; OA-ICC; Ocean acidification; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre; Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air); pH, NBS scale; pH, total scale; Potentiometric; Potentiometric titration; Primary production/Photosynthesis; Protein per surface area; Proteins; Red Sea; Registration number of species; Replicate; Respiration rate, oxygen; Salinity; Single species; Species; Stylophora pistillata; Symbiont cell density; Temperate; Temperature, water; Treatment; Type; Uniform resource locator/link to reference
url https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.936541