Algal Endosymbiont Diversity in the Common Reef-Building Coral Goniastrea Ten Years after Experimental Bleaching

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Mentors: Dr. Dan Barshis, Courtney Klepac

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) have a mutualistic symbiosis with many coral species because both partners receive benefit via the exchange of nutrients. The successful interaction of these partners determines the success of coral reefs. Ten colonies of Goniastrea spp. were collected from inshore and offshore reefs surrounding Ofu Island, American Samoa in 2006 (n=20 total). The corals were experimentally bleached and, then reciprocally transplanted to each environment, to determine how Symbiodinium community structure and diversity recovers and changes with time. In 2016, DNA was extracted and three diagnostic molecular markers were amplified using PCR to investigate the diversity of Symbiodinium within each coral sample.

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Event

Location

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Conference Room 1310

Start Date

2-18-2017 9:00 AM

End Date

2-18-2017 10:00 AM

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Feb 18th, 9:00 AM Feb 18th, 10:00 AM

Algal Endosymbiont Diversity in the Common Reef-Building Coral Goniastrea Ten Years after Experimental Bleaching

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Conference Room 1310

Symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) have a mutualistic symbiosis with many coral species because both partners receive benefit via the exchange of nutrients. The successful interaction of these partners determines the success of coral reefs. Ten colonies of Goniastrea spp. were collected from inshore and offshore reefs surrounding Ofu Island, American Samoa in 2006 (n=20 total). The corals were experimentally bleached and, then reciprocally transplanted to each environment, to determine how Symbiodinium community structure and diversity recovers and changes with time. In 2016, DNA was extracted and three diagnostic molecular markers were amplified using PCR to investigate the diversity of Symbiodinium within each coral sample.