29 - Exploring symbiont diversity: Pachyseris speciosa symbiont composition along a depth gradient in Okinawa, Japan
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Symbiodiniaceae are photosynthetic algae that reside within the endoderm of coral, providing their hosts with essential nutrients. Most symbiont community sequencing and thermal tolerance testing have focused on corals from shallow reef habitats (5-10m depth). As a result, the symbiont composition of mesophotic reef corals (depth >40m) remains poorly understood. To investigate this, we tested the thermal tolerance of Pachyseris speciosa from shallow and mesophotic reefs in Okinawa, Japan using the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS), a portable experimental aquaria system designed for controlled temperature manipulation. Measurements of photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) were used to evaluate the Effective Dose 50 (temperature at which Fv/Fm is reduced by 50%, ED50) for each depth group revealing that mesophotic colonies exhibited greater heat tolerance than shallow counterparts. To explore the potential influence of algal symbionts behind this resilience, we extracted DNA from Symbiodiniacae in P. speciosa from both depth groups and amplified the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) region via Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gel electrophoresis confirmed successful amplification, and enzymes removed unincorporated primers and nucleotides (dNTPS). By analyzing ITS2 sequences, we aim to determine whether mesophotic corals host different, more heat-tolerant symbionts compared to shallow colonies, potentially revealing key adaptations for surviving warming oceans. Understanding these symbiont-coral dynamics may guide reef restoration, helping scientists prioritize resilient symbiont strains for conservation in a changing climate.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Daniel J. Barshis
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Marine Biology | Molecular Biology
29 - Exploring symbiont diversity: Pachyseris speciosa symbiont composition along a depth gradient in Okinawa, Japan
Symbiodiniaceae are photosynthetic algae that reside within the endoderm of coral, providing their hosts with essential nutrients. Most symbiont community sequencing and thermal tolerance testing have focused on corals from shallow reef habitats (5-10m depth). As a result, the symbiont composition of mesophotic reef corals (depth >40m) remains poorly understood. To investigate this, we tested the thermal tolerance of Pachyseris speciosa from shallow and mesophotic reefs in Okinawa, Japan using the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS), a portable experimental aquaria system designed for controlled temperature manipulation. Measurements of photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) were used to evaluate the Effective Dose 50 (temperature at which Fv/Fm is reduced by 50%, ED50) for each depth group revealing that mesophotic colonies exhibited greater heat tolerance than shallow counterparts. To explore the potential influence of algal symbionts behind this resilience, we extracted DNA from Symbiodiniacae in P. speciosa from both depth groups and amplified the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) region via Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gel electrophoresis confirmed successful amplification, and enzymes removed unincorporated primers and nucleotides (dNTPS). By analyzing ITS2 sequences, we aim to determine whether mesophotic corals host different, more heat-tolerant symbionts compared to shallow colonies, potentially revealing key adaptations for surviving warming oceans. Understanding these symbiont-coral dynamics may guide reef restoration, helping scientists prioritize resilient symbiont strains for conservation in a changing climate.