<p>The environments of tropical and subtropical coral reef regions (CRR) differ from each other; however, it is not known if these environmental differences influence coral polyp and skeleton microbiome composition. In this study, <i>Coelastrea palauensis</i> corals were collected from tropical and subtropical CRR in the South China Sea, and bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities in polyps and skeletons were analyzed. Results showed that the microbial diversity and composition of <i>C. palauensis</i> significantly differed between the polyps and skeletons, and between the tropical and subtropical CRR. Regarding bacteria associated with corals, <i>C. palauensis</i> was mainly associated with bacteria closely related to the nitrogen cycle in the subtropical CRR. The relative abundances of Terasakiellaceae and <i>Chlorobium</i> in both coral polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR were higher than those in the tropical CRR. In the tropical CRR, <i>C. palauensis</i> was mainly associated with opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. The relative abundances of <i>Tenacibaculum</i> and <i>Vibrio</i> in coral polyps and skeletons in the tropical CRR were higher than those in the subtropical CRR. Regarding archaea associated with corals, polyps and skeletons of <i>C. palauensis</i> in both tropical and subtropical reef areas were dominated by n_Woesearchaeales, and the relative abundance of n_Woesearchaeales in skeletons is significantly higher than that in polyps. In addition, the relative abundances of n_Woesearchaeales in polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR were significantly higher than those in the tropical CRR. Regarding fungi associated with corals, Ascomycota was dominant in polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR, while Sordariomycetes, <i>Periconia, Cladosporium</i>, and <i>Aspergillus</i> were dominant in polyps and skeletons in the tropical CRR. Besides, the diversity differences of coral-associated microorganisms were related to environmental factors such as nutrients and temperature that may affect the survival of coral-associated microorganisms. These results implied that corals may adjust the composition of microorganisms, conducive the coral holobiont to better adapting the environment. Our research will be beneficial in understanding the differences and adaptations of coral polyp and skeletal microbiome.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Coral polyp and skeletal microbiome in tropical and subtropical reefs in the South China Sea: spatial variation and implications for coral environmental adaptability

  • Zhenjun Qin,
  • Mengling Lan,
  • Nengbin Pan,
  • Kefu Yu,
  • Lifei Wei,
  • Qizhi Yang,
  • Tingchao Zhang,
  • Ran He

摘要

The environments of tropical and subtropical coral reef regions (CRR) differ from each other; however, it is not known if these environmental differences influence coral polyp and skeleton microbiome composition. In this study, Coelastrea palauensis corals were collected from tropical and subtropical CRR in the South China Sea, and bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities in polyps and skeletons were analyzed. Results showed that the microbial diversity and composition of C. palauensis significantly differed between the polyps and skeletons, and between the tropical and subtropical CRR. Regarding bacteria associated with corals, C. palauensis was mainly associated with bacteria closely related to the nitrogen cycle in the subtropical CRR. The relative abundances of Terasakiellaceae and Chlorobium in both coral polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR were higher than those in the tropical CRR. In the tropical CRR, C. palauensis was mainly associated with opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. The relative abundances of Tenacibaculum and Vibrio in coral polyps and skeletons in the tropical CRR were higher than those in the subtropical CRR. Regarding archaea associated with corals, polyps and skeletons of C. palauensis in both tropical and subtropical reef areas were dominated by n_Woesearchaeales, and the relative abundance of n_Woesearchaeales in skeletons is significantly higher than that in polyps. In addition, the relative abundances of n_Woesearchaeales in polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR were significantly higher than those in the tropical CRR. Regarding fungi associated with corals, Ascomycota was dominant in polyps and skeletons in the subtropical CRR, while Sordariomycetes, Periconia, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus were dominant in polyps and skeletons in the tropical CRR. Besides, the diversity differences of coral-associated microorganisms were related to environmental factors such as nutrients and temperature that may affect the survival of coral-associated microorganisms. These results implied that corals may adjust the composition of microorganisms, conducive the coral holobiont to better adapting the environment. Our research will be beneficial in understanding the differences and adaptations of coral polyp and skeletal microbiome.