‘Corels in function’ of genomic data specification and adaptation

A new study led by the University of Hawaii at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) in Manna found that diversity in Hawaiian corals is likely driven by co-evolution between coral hosts, algal symbionts and microbial communities.

As coral reef ecosystems have rapidly broken down around the world over the past few decades, there are concerns that corals may not be able to change climate conditions, and that much of the biodiversity of these ecosystems may be lost before it can be studied and understood. . Although coral reefs are among the most biodiversity ecosystems on Earth, it is not clear what drives the specification and diversity in the oceans, where there are few physical barriers that can separate populations.

The team of researchers used a large amount of metagenomic sequencing data to try to understand what could be some of the key drivers of adaptation and diversity in corals.

“Corals have incredible variations with a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors that make it difficult for even the best trained specialists to be able to distinguish different species,” said Zack Forsman, lead author of the study and HIMB assistant researcher. . “On top of this, some corals lose their individual symbols, become completely white or ‘bleached’ and die during marine heatwaves, while a similar-looking coral next to it looks exactly the same. To understand what some of us may be driving Wanted more. This incredible variety that you see on the typical coral reef. “

Foresters and colleagues investigated the genetic relationships in the coral genus Porites, which form the basis and form many coral reefs around the world. They were able to identify genes from corals, algal symbols and bacteria that were very strongly associated with other factors such as coral bleaching and the shape (morphology) of the coral colony. They found relatively few genes associated with bleaching, but many are associated with coastal distance and colony morphologies that dominate different habitats.

“We have tried to better understand coral bleaching and place it in the context of other sources of diversity in the coral species complex. Unexpectedly, we have found evidence that these corals have adapted and changed very recently at depth and distance from shoreline. And also microbes. Were in the process of diverging, which meant co-evolution was involved. It’s like we caught them in the work of adaptation and clarification. “

“These corals have more complex examples of habitat-related diversity than we can imagine and learning about how diverse corals are in different habitats can teach them how to adapt in the future.” “Since diversity is the raw material for adaptation, the capacity of these corals is expected to adapt to future conditions, but only if we can slow the pace of losses.”