Title: DO THE SHUFFLE: CHANGES IN SYMBIODINIUM CONSORTIA THROUGHOUT JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract: Previous studies of symbiotic associations between scleractinians corals and Symbiodium have demonstrated that hosts alter the consortium of symbionts in response to environmental conditions. However, less is known about symbiont shuffling during early development in corals, particularly for brooding species. This study examined whether Symbiodinium consortia varied (1) in Porites astreoides on shallow (10m) and upper mesophotic (30m) reefs, (2) changed during coral development and (3) influence growth of juveniles in different environments. Symbiodinium ITS2 sequences were amplified using universal primers and analyzed using phylotype-specific primers designed for phylotypes A, B, and C. Adults from both depths were found to host either only phylotype A, phylotypes A and B, or phylotypes A, B, and C and the frequency of the phylotype composition did not vary with depth. However, phylotype A was the dominant symbiont vertically transmitted to the planula. The presence of phylotypes B and C was detected in juveniles transplanted onto the shallow and upper mesophotic reef but not when juveniles were reared in outdoor aquaria. In addition, growth of juvenile P. astreoides harboring different combinations of Symbiodinium phylotypes did not vary. These results show that Symbiodinium consortia change during development and are influenced by environment.

Authors: Reich HG, Robertson DL, Goodbody-Gringley G

Presentation: Oral

Session: 11

Date: 06/22/16

Time: 16:15

Location: 313 C

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