ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6053-9452
Current Organisations
St Vincent's University Hospital
,
The Ohio State University
,
University College Dublin
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-08-2019
DOI: 10.1002/EAP.1978
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 11-10-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-12-2015
DOI: 10.1038/SREP18371
Abstract: The physiological response to in idual and combined stressors of elevated temperature and p CO 2 were measured over a 24-day period in four Pacific corals and their respective symbionts (Acropora millepora/Symbiodinium C21a, Pocillopora damicornis/Symbiodinium C1c-d-t, Montipora monasteriata/Symbiodinium C15 and Turbinaria reniformis/Symbiodinium trenchii ). Multivariate analyses indicated that elevated temperature played a greater role in altering physiological response, with the greatest degree of change occurring within M. monasteriata and T. reniformis. Algal cellular volume, protein and lipid content all increased for M. monasteriata . Likewise, S. trenchii volume and protein content in T. reniformis also increased with temperature. Despite decreases in maximal photochemical efficiency, few changes in biochemical composition (i.e. lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) or cellular volume occurred at high temperature in the two thermally sensitive symbionts C21a and C1c-d-t . Intracellular carbonic anhydrase transcript abundance increased with temperature in A. millepora but not in P. damicornis , possibly reflecting differences in host mitigated carbon supply during thermal stress. Importantly, our results show that the host and symbiont response to climate change differs considerably across species and that greater physiological plasticity in response to elevated temperature may be an important strategy distinguishing thermally tolerant vs. thermally sensitive species.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-12-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/CONL.12687
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2008
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 14-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-10-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-05-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2009
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 20-11-2020
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BPXCMPIW
Abstract: This protocol outlines a non-destructive geometric method for estimating the surface area of Scleractinian coral s les with relatively simple morphologies (e.g., not densely branching). The geometric method was one of the earliest used for estimating the surface area of marine organisms (Odum et al. 1958). The basic principle of this method involves selecting geometric shapes or forms which closely resemble the morphology of a coral fragment (e.g., cylinders, cones, pyramids, hemispheres etc.), measuring the dimensional parameters of the coral, and applying the area equation for a given geometric shape to obtain the surface area estimate for the coral. This method has been commonly used in coral research previously (Szmant-Froelich 1985 Roberts and Ormond 1987 Babcock 1991 Bak and Meesters 1998 Naumann et al. 2009). In this protocol, two ex les are given: one for a branching Porites compressa colony, and one for a massive/mounding Porites lobata colony. There are three parts to estimating colony surface area: 1) photographing coral fragments, 2) image analysis, and 3) calculation of colony surface area using geometric equations. This protocol was written by Rowan McLachlan and was reviewed by Dr. Andréa Grottoli. Acknowledgments: I would like to thank Dr. Mia Hoogenboom and Dr. Allison Paley for introducing me to this geometric method at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. References: - Babcock RC (1991) Comparative demography of three species of scleractinian corals using age- and size-dependent classifications. Ecol Monogr 61:225–244 - Bak RPM, Meesters EH (1998) Coral population structure: the hidden information of colony size-frequency distributions. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 162:301–306 - Naumann MS, Niggl W, Laforsch C, Glaser C, Wild C (2009) Coral surface area quantification-evaluation of established techniques by comparison with computer tomography. Coral Reefs 28:109–117 - Odum EP, Kuenzler EJ, Blunt MX (1958) Uptake of P32 and primary productivity in marine benthic algae. Limnol Oceanogr 3:340–345 - Roberts CM, Ormond RFG (1987) Habitat complexity and coral-reef fish ersity and abundance on Red-Sea fringing reefs. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 41:1–8 - Szmant-Froelich A (1985) The effect of colony size on the reproductive ability of the Caribbean coral Montastraea annularis (Ellis and Solander). Proc 5th Int Coral Reef Symp 4:295–300
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-03-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-022-06896-Z
Abstract: Climate change poses a major threat to coral reefs. We conducted an outdoor 22-month experiment to investigate if coral could not just survive, but also physiologically cope, with chronic ocean warming and acidification conditions expected later this century under the Paris Climate Agreement. We recorded survivorship and measured eleven phenotypic traits to evaluate the holobiont responses of Hawaiian coral: color, Symbiodiniaceae density, calcification, photosynthesis, respiration, total organic carbon flux, carbon budget, biomass, lipids, protein, and maximum Artemia capture rate. Survivorship was lowest in Montipora capitata and only some survivors were able to meet metabolic demand and physiologically cope with future ocean conditions. Most M. capitata survivors bleached through loss of chlorophyll pigments and simultaneously experienced increased respiration rates and negative carbon budgets due to a 236% increase in total organic carbon losses under combined future ocean conditions. Porites compressa and Porites lobata had the highest survivorship and coped well under future ocean conditions with positive calcification and increased biomass, maintenance of lipids, and the capacity to exceed their metabolic demand through photosynthesis and heterotrophy. Thus, our findings show that significant biological ersity within resilient corals like Porites , and some genotypes of sensitive species, will persist this century provided atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are controlled. Since Porites corals are ubiquitous throughout the world’s oceans and often major reef builders, the persistence of this resilient genus provides hope for future reef ecosystem function globally.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-07-2014
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.12658
Abstract: Mass coral bleaching events caused by elevated seawater temperatures result in extensive coral loss throughout the tropics, and are projected to increase in frequency and severity. If bleaching becomes an annual event later in this century, more than 90% of coral reefs worldwide may be at risk of long-term degradation. While corals can recover from single isolated bleaching and can acclimate to recurring bleaching events that are separated by multiple years, it is currently unknown if and how they will survive and possibly acclimatize to annual coral bleaching. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that annual coral bleaching can dramatically alter thermal tolerance in Caribbean corals. We found that high coral energy reserves and changes in the dominant algal endosymbiont type (Symbiodinium spp.) facilitated rapid acclimation in Porites aricata, whereas low energy reserves and a lack of algal phenotypic plasticity significantly increased susceptibility in Porites astreoides to bleaching the following year. Phenotypic plasticity in the dominant endosymbiont type of Orbicella faveolata did not prevent repeat bleaching, but may have facilitated rapid recovery. Thus, coral holobiont response to an isolated single bleaching event is not an accurate predictor of its response to bleaching the following year. Rather, the cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching can turn some coral species 'winners' into 'losers', and can also facilitate acclimation and turn some coral species 'losers' into 'winners'. Overall, these findings indicate that cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching could result in some species becoming increasingly susceptible to bleaching and face a long-term decline, while phenotypically plastic coral species will acclimatize and persist. Thus, annual coral bleaching and recovery could contribute to the selective loss of coral ersity as well as the overall decline of coral reefs in the Caribbean.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-12-2015
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 14-09-2021
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BX8WPRXE
Abstract: This protocol outlines a method of quantitatively measuring the degree of bleaching of a coral colony non-destructively in the field using image analysis. Previous studies have shown that mean intensity grey (MIG), also known as percent whiteness, is highly correlated with chlorophyll a and Symbiodiniaceae density (Chow et al. 2016, Amid et al. 2018), and therefore can be used to quantify the bleaching intensity of a coral colony. Color analysis can be done using digital photographs of live coral colonies either in situ (e.g., Maguire et al. 2003) or ex-situ in the lab (Amid et al. 2018 this protocol). Photographs must be taken prior to any preservation or processing of tissue, such as freezing, use of preservatives or fixatives, airbrushing etc., to ensure no alteration of the original coral color occurs. In this protocol, corals are photographed in front of a white reference standard and the resulting color images are subsequently converted to 8-bit greyscale and analyzed. There are two steps to this protocol: 1) Photographing live coral fragments 2) Image analysis of mean grey value This protocol was written by Dr. Rowan McLachlan and was reviewed by Dr. Andréa Grottoli. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Eugene Katrukha for kindly taking the time to teach me this method, and providing me feedback on how to produce higher quality images for analysis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2013
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 10-09-2021
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BX5BPQ2N
Abstract: Coral morphology is influenced by genetics, the environment, or the interaction of both, and thus is highly variable. This protocol outlines a non-destructive and relatively simple method for measuring Scleractinian coral sub-corallite skeletal structures (such as the septa length, theca thickness, and corallite diameter, etc.) using digital images produced as a result of digital microscopy or from scanning electron microscopy. This method uses X and Y coordinates of points placed onto photomicrographs to automatically calculate the length and/or diameter of a variety of sub-corallite skeletal structures in the Scleractinian coral Porites lobata. However, this protocol can be easily adapted for other coral species - the only difference may be the specific skeletal structures that are measured (for ex le, not all coral species have a pronounced columella or pali, or even circular corallites). This protocol is adapted from the methods described in Forsman et al. (2015) & Tisthammer et al. (2018). There are 4 steps to this protocol: 1) Removal of Organic Tissue from Coral Skeletons 2) Imaging of Coral Skeletons 3) Photomicrograph Image Analysis 4) Calculation of Corallite Microstructure Size This protocol was written by Dr. Rowan McLachlan and was reviewed by Ashruti Patel and Dr. Andréa Grottoli. Acknowledgments Leica DMS 1000 and Scanning Electron Microscopy photomicrographs used in this protocol were acquired at the Subsurface Energy Materials Characterization and Analysis Laboratory (SEMCAL), School of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University, Ohio, USA. I would like to thank Dr. Julie Sheets, Dr. Sue Welch, and Dr. David Cole for training me on the use of these instruments.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 20-01-2015
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS11072
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-02-2020
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 07-03-2020
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BDC8I2ZW
Abstract: This method for extracting protein from ground coral s les is based on the Bradford assay for the colorimetric detection and quantification of total protein (Bradford, 1976) and is compared to a known standard dilution of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Pierce Inc. and Bio-Rad have developed the reagents and standards necessary for completing the extraction. There are five parts to quantifying total soluble protein in ground corals: 1) grind and sub-s le the coral and store at -80 °C until ready to extract, 2) solubilize protein via cell disruption [detergent lysis and freeze-thaw lysis], 3) separate the dissolved protein from tissue and skeletal particles, 4) quantify the protein concentration via Bradford microassay procedure, and 5) standardize the protein concentration to ash-free dry weight (AFDW). This method was originally developed by Rowan McLachlan with the assistance of Jamie Price and Kerri Dobson and with the guidance of Dr. Noah Weisleder and Andréa Grottoli at The Ohio State University. This protocol was written by Rowan McLachlan and reviewed by all co-authors.
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 19-03-2020
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BDYAI7SE
Abstract: This protocol outlines a method for quantifying the total biomass of Scleractinian coral s les which have been ground into a homogenous paste consisting of aragonite skeleton, coral host tissue, and endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae cells. There are four parts to quantifying total biomass: 1) grind coral fragments into a homogenous paste, 2) partition the biomass subs le, 3) quantify the ash-free dry weight [AFDW], and 4) standardize AFDW to the colony surface area. This method has been reported in several publications by Grottoli's team (e.g., Rodrigues & Grottoli 2007). This protocol was written by Rowan McLachlan (03-19-20) and was reviewed by all co-authors.
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 22-11-2015
Abstract: Mass bleaching events are predicted to occur annually later this century. Nevertheless, it remains unknown whether corals will be able to recover between annual bleaching events. Using a combined tank and field experiment, we simulated annual bleaching by exposing three Caribbean coral species ( Porites aricata , Porites astreoides and Orbicella faveolata ) to elevated temperatures for 2.5 weeks in 2 consecutive years. The impact of annual bleaching stress on chlorophyll a , energy reserves, calcification, and tissue C and N isotopes was assessed immediately after the second bleaching and after both short- and long-term recovery on the reef (1.5 and 11 months, respectively). While P. aricata and O. faveolata were able to recover from repeat bleaching within 1 year, P. astreoides experienced cumulative damage that prevented full recovery within this time frame, suggesting that repeat bleaching had diminished its recovery capacity. Specifically, P. astreoides was not able to recover protein and carbohydrate concentrations. As energy reserves promote bleaching resistance, failure to recover from annual bleaching within 1 year will likely result in the future demise of heat-sensitive coral species.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 08-09-2014
Publisher: International Coral Reef Society and Future Earth Coasts
Date: 20-07-2021
DOI: 10.53642/NRKY9386
Abstract: This document is the work of a team assembled by the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS). The mission of ICRS is to promote the acquisition and dissemination of scientific knowledge to secure the future of coral reefs, including via relevant policy frameworks and decision-making processes. This document seeks to highlight the urgency of taking action to conserve and restore reefs through protection and management measures, to provide a summary of the most relevant and recent natural and social science that provides guidance on these tasks, and to highlight implications of these findings for the numerous discussions and negotiations taking place at the global level.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-05-2009
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 08-07-2021
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.11763
Abstract: Under current climate warming predictions, the future of coral reefs is dire. With projected coral reef decline, it is likely that coral specimens for bleaching research will increasingly become a more limited resource in the future. By adopting a holistic approach through increased collaborations, coral bleaching scientists can maximize a specimen’s investigative yield, thus reducing the need to remove more coral material from the reef. Yet to expand a specimen’s utility for additional analytic methods, information on how corals are collected is essential as many methods are variably sensitive to upstream handling and processing. In an effort to identify common practices for coral collection, sacrifice, preservation, and processing in coral bleaching research, we surveyed the literature from the last 6.5 years and created and analyzed the resulting dataset of 171 publications. Since January 2014, at least 21,890 coral specimens were collected for bleaching surveys or bleaching experiments. These specimens spanned 122 species of scleractinian corals where the most frequently s led were Acropora millepora , Pocillopora damicornis , and Stylophora pistillata . Almost 90% of studies removed fragments from the reef, 6% collected skeletal cores, and 3% collected mucus specimens. The most common methods for sacrificing specimens were snap freezing with liquid nitrogen, chemical preservation (e.g., with ethanol or nucleic acid stabilizing buffer), or airbrushing live fragments. We also characterized 37 distinct methodological pathways from collection to processing of specimens in preparation for a variety of physiological, -omic, microscopy, and imaging analyses. Interestingly, almost half of all studies used only one of six different pathways. These similarities in collection, preservation, and processing methods illustrate that archived coral specimens could be readily shared among researchers for additional analyses. In addition, our review provides a reference for future researchers who are considering which methodological pathway to select to maximize the utility of coral bleaching specimens that they collect.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-08-2021
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 28-02-2020
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BC4QIYVW
Abstract: This method is adapted and updated from methods originally published in Grottoli et al. (2004) and is based on the original methods of Folch & Stanley (1957), and Bligh & Dyer (1959). There are five parts to extracting lipids from ground corals: 1) grind and sub-s le the coral and store at -80 °C until ready to extract, 2) freeze-dry the s le, 3) extract the lipids from the freeze-dried s les, 4) standardize the lipid concentration to ash-free dry weight (AFDW), and 5) resuspend the extracted lipid for long-term storage and possible later analysis of lipid classes or isotopes. The lipid extraction procedure must be conducted in a fume hood with the sash as low as possible with the researcher wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and lab coat at all times. Important considerations regarding lipid analysis were gained from reading Chapter 1.3 “Lipid extraction, storage, and s le handling” from the textbook Lipid Analysis by Christie (2003). This method was originally developed by Andréa Grottoli and refined by Rowan McLachlan (06-11-18) with the guidance of Dr. Agus Muñoz-Garcia at The Ohio State University. This protocol was written by Rowan McLachlan (03-12-2020). References Bligh, E. G., & Dyer, W. J. (1959). Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology. Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology, 37(8), 911–917. Christie, W. W. (2003). Lipid Analysis: Vol. 15, Isolation, Separation, Identification and Structural Analysis of Lipids. Current Opinion Biotechnology (3rd ed., Vol. 4). Oily Press Ltd, UK. Folch, J., Lees, M., & Stanley, G. H. S. (1957). A simple method for the isolation and purification of total lipids from animal tissues. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 226, 497-509. Grottoli A. G., Rodrigues L. J., & Juarez C. (2004). Lipids and stable carbon isotopes in two species of Hawaiian corals, Porites compressa and Montipora verrucosa, following a bleaching event. Marine Biology, 145: 621–631.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-04-2016
DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS11144
Abstract: Reliably predicting how coral calcification may respond to ocean acidification and warming depends on our understanding of coral calcification mechanisms. However, the concentration and speciation of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) inside corals remain unclear, as only pH has been measured while a necessary second parameter to constrain carbonate chemistry has been missing. Here we report the first carbonate ion concentration ([CO 3 2− ]) measurements together with pH inside corals during the light period. We observe sharp increases in [CO 3 2− ] and pH from the gastric cavity to the calcifying fluid, confirming the existence of a proton (H + ) pumping mechanism. We also show that corals can achieve a high aragonite saturation state ( Ω arag ) in the calcifying fluid by elevating pH while at the same time keeping [DIC] low. Such a mechanism may require less H + -pumping and energy for upregulating pH compared with the high [DIC] scenario and thus may allow corals to be more resistant to climate change related stressors.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-11-2020
DOI: 10.1093/RHEUMATOLOGY/KEAA694
Abstract: To establish, amongst Irish rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) patients, rates of COVID-19 symptoms and positive tests, DMARD adherence and attitudes to virtual clinics. An online survey assessing COVID-19 status, RMD diagnoses, adherence and information sources was disseminated via the Arthritis Ireland website and social media channels. There were 1381 respondents with 74.8% on immunosuppressive medication. Symptoms of COVID-19 were reported by 3.7% of respondents of which 0.46% tested positive, consistent with the general Irish population. The frequency of COVID-19 symptoms was higher for respondents with spondyloarthropathy [odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.70] and lower in those on immunosuppressive medication (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.88), and those compliant with health authority (HSE) guidance (OR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.89). Adherence to RMD medications was reported in 84.1%, with 57.1% using health authority guidelines for information on medication use. Importantly, adherence rates were higher amongst those who cited guidelines (89.3% vs 79.9%, P & .001), and conversely lower in those with COVID-19 symptoms (64.0% vs 85.1%, P =0.009). Finally, the use of virtual clinics was supported by 70.4% of respondents. The rate of COVID-19 positivity in RMD patients was similar to the general population. COVID-19 symptoms were lower amongst respondents on immunosuppressive medication and those adherent to medication guidelines. Respondents were supportive of HSE advice and virtual clinics.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 16-01-2018
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 11-2006
DOI: 10.1029/2006GC001352
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-05-2021
DOI: 10.1002/EAP.2262
Abstract: Coral bleaching is the single largest global threat to coral reefs worldwide. Integrating the erse body of work on coral bleaching is critical to understanding and combating this global problem. Yet investigating the drivers, patterns, and processes of coral bleaching poses a major challenge. A recent review of published experiments revealed a wide range of experimental variables used across studies. Such a wide range of approaches enhances discovery, but without full transparency in the experimental and analytical methods used, can also make comparisons among studies challenging. To increase comparability but not stifle innovation, we propose a common framework for coral bleaching experiments that includes consideration of coral provenance, experimental conditions, and husbandry. For ex le, reporting the number of genets used, collection site conditions, the experimental temperature offset(s) from the maximum monthly mean (MMM) of the collection site, experimental light conditions, flow, and the feeding regime will greatly facilitate comparability across studies. Similarly, quantifying common response variables of endosymbiont (Symbiodiniaceae) and holobiont phenotypes (i.e., color, chlorophyll, endosymbiont cell density, mortality, and skeletal growth) could further facilitate cross‐study comparisons. While no single bleaching experiment can provide the data necessary to determine global coral responses of all corals to current and future ocean warming, linking studies through a common framework as outlined here, would help increase comparability among experiments, facilitate synthetic insights into the causes and underlying mechanisms of coral bleaching, and reveal unique bleaching responses among genets, species, and regions. Such a collaborative framework that fosters transparency in methods used would strengthen comparisons among studies that can help inform coral reef management and facilitate conservation strategies to mitigate coral bleaching worldwide.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 02-11-2022
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.14176
Abstract: Coral reefs are declining worldwide primarily because of bleaching and subsequent mortality resulting from thermal stress. Currently, extensive efforts to engage in more holistic research and restoration endeavors have considerably expanded the techniques applied to examine coral s les. Despite such advances, coral bleaching and restoration studies are often conducted within a specific disciplinary focus, where specimens are collected, preserved, and archived in ways that are not always conducive to further downstream analyses by specialists in other disciplines. This approach may prevent the full utilization of unexpended specimens, leading to siloed research, duplicative efforts, unnecessary loss of additional corals to research endeavors, and overall increased costs. A recent US National Science Foundation-sponsored workshop set out to consolidate our collective knowledge across the disciplines of Omics, Physiology, and Microscopy and Imaging regarding the methods used for coral s le collection, preservation, and archiving. Here, we highlight knowledge gaps and propose some simple steps for collecting, preserving, and archiving coral-bleaching specimens that can increase the impact of in idual coral bleaching and restoration studies, as well as foster additional analyses and future discoveries through collaboration. Rapid freezing of s les in liquid nitrogen or placing at −80 °C to −20 °C is optimal for most Omics and Physiology studies with a few exceptions however, freezing s les removes the potential for many Microscopy and Imaging-based analyses due to the alteration of tissue integrity during freezing. For Microscopy and Imaging, s les are best stored in aldehydes. The use of sterile gloves and receptacles during collection supports the downstream analysis of host-associated bacterial and viral communities which are particularly germane to disease and restoration efforts. Across all disciplines, the use of aseptic techniques during collection, preservation, and archiving maximizes the research potential of coral specimens and allows for the greatest number of possible downstream analyses.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-05-2021
DOI: 10.1002/LNO.11760
Abstract: Corals obtain nutrition from the photosynthetic products of their algal endosymbionts and the ingestion of organic material and zooplankton from the water column. Here, we use stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotopes to assess the proportionate contribution of photoautotrophic and heterotrophic sources to seven Hawaiian coral species collected from six locations around the island of O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi. We analyzed the δ 13 C and δ 15 N of coral tissues and their algal endosymbionts, as well as that of dissolved inorganic matter, particulate organic matter, and zooplankton from each site. Estimates of heterotrophic contribution varied among coral species and sites. Bayesian mixing models revealed that heterotrophic sources (particulate organic material and zooplankton) contributed the most to Pocillopora acuta and Montipora patula coral tissues at 49.3% and 48.0%, respectively, and the least to Porites lobata at 28.7%, on average. Estimates of heterotrophic contribution based on the difference between δ 13 C of the host and algal endosymbiont (δ 13 C h–e ) and isotopic niche overlap often differed, while estimates based on δ 15 N h–e were slightly more aligned with the estimates produced using Bayesian mixing models. These findings suggest that the utility of each approach may vary with coral health status, regions, and coral species. Overall, we find that the mean heterotrophic contribution to Hawaiian coral tissues ranges from 20% to 50%, suggesting a variety of trophic strategies. However, these findings did not always match past direct measurements of heterotrophic feeding, indicating that heterotrophically acquired nutrition does not necessarily get incorporated into tissues but can be respired or exuded in mucus.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-07-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-04-2022
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.16192
Abstract: The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem. On coral reefs, mass coral bleaching and mortality have emerged as ubiquitous responses to ocean warming, yet one of the greatest challenges of this epiphenomenon is linking information across scientific disciplines and spatial and temporal scales. Here we review some of the seminal and recent coral-bleaching discoveries from an ecological, physiological, and molecular perspective. We also evaluate which data and processes can improve predictive models and provide a conceptual framework that integrates measurements across biological scales. Taking an integrative approach across biological and spatial scales, using for ex le hierarchical models to estimate major coral-reef processes, will not only rapidly advance coral-reef science but will also provide necessary information to guide decision-making and conservation efforts. To conserve reefs, we encourage implementing mesoscale sanctuaries (thousands of km
Publisher: ZappyLab, Inc.
Date: 07-03-2020
DOI: 10.17504/PROTOCOLS.IO.BDC5I2Y6
Abstract: This protocol outlines a method for quantifying the density of Symbiodiniaceae cells in Scleractinian coral s les which have been previously ground into a homogenous paste consisting of aragonite skeleton, coral host tissue and endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae cells. There are four parts to quantifying Symbiodiniaceae cell density from ground corals: 1) grind and sub-s le the coral and store at -80 °C until ready to extract, 2) separate Symbiodiniaceae cells from the coral skeleton, 3) image Symbiodiniaceae fluorescence using Countess™ II FL Automated Cell Counter, and 4) quantify cells using the software ImageJ. Note: a CY5 EVOS™ light cube is required for this method. For instructions on installing the CY5 EVOS™ light cube to your Countess™ II FL Cell Counter, see page 40 of the Countess™ II FL Cell Counter user manual. This method was originally developed by Rowan McLachlan in February 2020. Claire Juracka assisted Rowan McLachlan by conducting tests to compare this method to the traditional method using a hemocytometer and microscope. The traditional cell counting method has been reported in several publications by Grottoli's team (e.g., Rodrigues & Grottoli 2007). This protocol was written by Rowan McLachlan with the guidance of Dr. Andréa Grottoli at The Ohio State University.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-04-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S00338-020-01931-9
Abstract: For over three decades, scientists have conducted heat-stress experiments to predict how coral will respond to ocean warming due to global climate change. However, there are often conflicting results in the literature that are difficult to resolve, which we hypothesize are a result of unintended biases, variation in experimental design, and underreporting of critical methodological information. Here, we reviewed 255 coral heat-stress experiments to (1) document where and when they were conducted and on which species, (2) assess variability in experimental design, and (3) quantify the ersity of response variables measured. First, we found that two-thirds of studies were conducted in only three countries, three coral species were more heavily studied than others, and only 4% of studies focused on earlier life stages. Second, slightly more than half of all heat-stress exposures were less than 8 d in duration, only 17% of experiments fed corals, and experimental conditions varied widely, including the level and rate of temperature increase, light intensity, number of genets used, and the length of acclimation period. In addition, 95%, 55%, and 35% of studies did not report tank flow conditions, light–dark cycle used, or the date of the experiment, respectively. Finally, we found that 21% of experiments did not measure any bleaching phenotype traits, 77% did not identify the Symbiodiniaceae endosymbiont, and the contribution of the coral host in the physiological response to heat-stress was often not investigated. This review highlights geographic, taxonomic, and heat-stress duration biases in our understanding of coral bleaching, and large variability in the reporting and design of heat-stress experiments that could account for some of the discrepancies in the literature. Development of some best practice recommendations for coral bleaching experiments could improve cross-studies comparisons and increase the efficiency of coral bleaching research at a time when it is needed most.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 13-01-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2021.811055
Abstract: Coral reefs are among the most erse and complex ecosystems in the world that provide important ecological and economical services. Increases in sea surface temperature linked to global climate change threatens these ecosystems by inducing coral bleaching. However, it is not fully known if natural intra- or inter-annual physiological variability is linked to bleaching resilience or recovery capacity of corals. Here, we monitored the coral physiology of three common Caribbean species ( Porites aricata, Porites astreoides, Orbicella faveolata ) at six time points over 2 years by measuring the following traits: calcification, biomass, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, chlorophyll a , algal endosymbiont density, stable carbon isotopes of the host and endosymbiotic algae, and the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of the skeleton. The overall physiological profile of all three species varied over time and that of P. aricata was consistently different from the two other coral species. Porites aricata had higher energy reserves coupled with higher contributions of heterotrophically derived carbon to host tissues than both P. astreoides and O. faveolata . Consistently higher overall energy reserves and heterotrophic contributions to tissues appear to buffer against environmental stress, including bleaching events. Thus, natural physiological variability among coral species appears to be a stronger predictor of coral bleaching resilience than intra- or inter-annual physiological variability within a coral species.
No related grants have been discovered for Andrea Grottoli.