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Zooxanthellae diversity and abundance in corals at St. Lucie Reef, FL
Title
Zooxanthellae diversity and abundance in corals at St. Lucie Reef, FL.
Creator
Klepac, Courtney, Voss, Joshua, Graduate College
Date Issued
2013-04-12
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361321
Subject Headings
Zooxanthellales, Zooxanthellate corals, Symbiosis, Saint Lucie Inlet (Fla.)
Format
Document (PDF)
Endosymbiotic Algal Community Dynamics within Corals at St. Lucie Reef, FL
Title
Endosymbiotic Algal Community Dynamics within Corals at St. Lucie Reef, FL.
Creator
Klepac, Courtney, Voss, Joshua, Graduate College, Beal, Jeff
Abstract/Description
The coral reef habitat at St. Lucie Reef Stuart, FL persists despite environmental instability resulting from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and seasonality. By examining the symbiotic algae, or zooxanthellae, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to overall coral physiology during stress events. Two hermatypic corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over a year and a half, representative of wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were...
Show moreThe coral reef habitat at St. Lucie Reef Stuart, FL persists despite environmental instability resulting from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and seasonality. By examining the symbiotic algae, or zooxanthellae, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to overall coral physiology during stress events. Two hermatypic corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over a year and a half, representative of wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated from each coral fragment and responses to water quality fluctuations were quantified by measuring cell density and chlorophyll a and c2. Both coral species varied in the amount of zooxanthellae harbored as well as chlorophyll concentrations. Pseudodiploria clivosa had a higher density of cells than Montastraea cavernosa, but chlorophyll concentrations per cell were greater in M. cavernosa. Morphological differences between both coral species and their zooxanthellae concomitant with the inverse relationship between cell density and chlorophyll could be indicative of photosynthetic capabilities. Genotypes of zooxanthellae within each host species were evaluated by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA and sequencing on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Patterns in fine-scale diversity and genetic variation may explain the observed physiological differences among corals at St. Lucie Reef.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005153
Format
Document (PDF)
Characterization of symbiotic algae, genus Symbiodinium, in corals at St. Lucie reef, Florida
Title
Characterization of symbiotic algae, genus Symbiodinium, in corals at St. Lucie reef, Florida.
Creator
Klepac, Courtney, Voss, Joshua, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated...
Show moreThe unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated and quantitatively characterized using standard measurements and molecular techniques. Both coral species varied in zooxanthellae biomass, where Pseudodiploria clivosa had Higher cell densities and chlorophyll concentrations than Montastraea cavernosa. Over time, these parameters varied, but were not significantly altered by fresh water discharge events. Symbiodinium diversity and abundance were identified by ITS2 region amplification and next-generation sequencing .Novel associations between Symbiodinium and each coral explained the observed physiological differences. The symbioses remained stable throughout and could indicate local adaptation for St. Lucie Reef corals.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004211
Subject Headings
Adaptation (Biology), Coral reef biology, Coral reef ecology, Marine chemical ecology, St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, Fla.) -- Environmental aspects, St. Lucie River Estuary (Fla.) -- Environmental aspects
Format
Document (PDF)