Home > Multiple Symbiodinium clades in Acropora species scleractinian corals from the Ningaloo reef, Australia
Multiple Symbiodinium clades in Acropora species scleractinian corals from the Ningaloo reef, Australia
| Title | Multiple Symbiodinium clades in Acropora species scleractinian corals from the Ningaloo reef, Australia |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2009 |
| Authors | Crabbe, MJC, Carlin JP |
| Journal | International Journal of Integrative Biology |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pagination | 72-74 |
| Date Published | 02/2009 |
| ISSN | 0973-8363 |
| Keywords | biodiversity, coral, Ningaloo, zooxanthellae |
| Abstract | Reef corals form associations with genetically and physiologically distinct forms of Symbiodinium algal endosymbionts. The mechanisms of association – symbiont shuffling or symbiont switching, or both - have been under much discussion. One hundred and eleven colonies of seven species of Acropora (A. abrolhosensis; A. cerealis/nasuta; A. digitifera; A. millepora; A. papillare; A. spicifera; and A. tenuis) were sampled at sites in the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. Our study shows the presence of multiple Symbiodinium clades in 45% of all the Acropora colonies studied. The commonest clades were B and C, most often occurring together in single colonies. Clade A was found in a single colony of A. cerealis/nasuta, with clades B and C in the same colony. Clade D was found in a single colony of A. millepora, with clades B and C in the same colony. There was no significant correlation between clade, depth, coral species, colony size, or site. Our work supports the suggestion that the potential for symbiont shuffling in corals is significant. |
| URL | http://www.classicrus.com/IJIB/ |
| Refereed Designation | Refereed |
