Transcript Symbiodinium

Examining the Symbioses between Millepora and Symbiodinium at Two Thermally Different Locations
Allison Samayoa and Craig Tepper
Cornell College Biology Department
Abstract: Thermal threats have increased rates of coral mortality due to rising seawater temperatures leading to bleaching. Bleaching is a result of the loss of photosynthetic symbionts known as
zooxanthellae (genus Symbiodinium). Symbiodinium provide nutrients to their host and advantages against thermal stresses. Understanding this symbiosis can lead to understanding how corals cope with
thermal stress. The purpose of our research is to examine the Millepora-Symbiodinium relationship at two thermally different locations: San Salvador, The Bahamas, and South Water Caye, Belize. Our
preliminary results show that there is greater Symbiodinium diversity in millepore colonies in reefs surrounding South Water Caye when compared to Bahamian reefs. This may be attributed to higher
water temperatures in the southwest Caribbean . South Water Caye millepores which have likely experienced more thermal stress events contain a more diverse population of Symbiodinium due to the
coral’s ability to switch and shuffle symbionts in order to better survive environmental stresses.
Methods
Introduction
Collection Sites:
San Salvador
20
14
South Water Caye
5
Coral Bleaching
1
qPCR: Symbiodinium Clade Identification
6
1
2
5
9
8
3
2
Adaptive Bleaching Hypothesis
(OAR/National Undersea Research Program)
Symbiodinium: photosynthetic algae
Results
Typical qPCR Amplification Plot
(Davy et. al 2012)
(Coffroth and Santos, 2005)
Fire Coral
Millepora alcicornis
Millepora complanata
Intermediate morphologies
2
(Lajeunesse 2009)