Caribbean Gorgonian Coral-Zooxanthellae Network: Establishing Critical Symbiotic Relationships in an Uncertain Climate
Location
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Start
2-14-2025 3:15 PM
End
2-14-2025 3:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Rising oceanic temperatures have placed Caribbean organisms under immense heat stress and restructured its reefs such that gorgonians (along with sponges) are now predominant organisms. Caribbean gorgonians are partially heterotrophic but also depend on their symbiotic photosynthetic zooxanthellae to survive. Gorgonian species and their associated algae provide habitat for reef fish and invertebrates and aid in nutrient cycling throughout the water column. Our understanding of the robustness of their symbiotic relationships relies primarily on assessments of individuals within a few species, rather than species and systems level knowledge. For this reason, we set out to create a symbiosis network of Caribbean gorgonians and the Symbiodiniaceae that inhabit them. This included compiling Caribbean gorgonian species and genetic identification of symbiont ITS2 phylotypes to establish host-symbiont specificity for 23 out of 63 known species of Caribbean gorgonian. It revealed that the overwhelming majority of species host Symbiodiniaceae of the genus Breviolum. Connectivity metrics demonstrate low connectivity between host species, but the network is not complete enough to draw reputable conclusions. These symbiosis networks highlight multiple avenues of future research to better understand the systems biology of Caribbean gorgonians.
Caribbean Gorgonian Coral-Zooxanthellae Network: Establishing Critical Symbiotic Relationships in an Uncertain Climate
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Rising oceanic temperatures have placed Caribbean organisms under immense heat stress and restructured its reefs such that gorgonians (along with sponges) are now predominant organisms. Caribbean gorgonians are partially heterotrophic but also depend on their symbiotic photosynthetic zooxanthellae to survive. Gorgonian species and their associated algae provide habitat for reef fish and invertebrates and aid in nutrient cycling throughout the water column. Our understanding of the robustness of their symbiotic relationships relies primarily on assessments of individuals within a few species, rather than species and systems level knowledge. For this reason, we set out to create a symbiosis network of Caribbean gorgonians and the Symbiodiniaceae that inhabit them. This included compiling Caribbean gorgonian species and genetic identification of symbiont ITS2 phylotypes to establish host-symbiont specificity for 23 out of 63 known species of Caribbean gorgonian. It revealed that the overwhelming majority of species host Symbiodiniaceae of the genus Breviolum. Connectivity metrics demonstrate low connectivity between host species, but the network is not complete enough to draw reputable conclusions. These symbiosis networks highlight multiple avenues of future research to better understand the systems biology of Caribbean gorgonians.