Acclimatization in tropical reef corals

Acclimatization in tropical reef corals

Global climate change (GCC) is the most widespread environmental peril facing tropical coral reefs, yet the capacity of scleractinian corals to survive the challenge is not well understood. Acclimatization is a primary mechanism by which organisms match their physiology in a timely and beneficial way to a rapidly changing environment, and so it is not surprising that the question ‘can corals ac...

Phosphomonoesterases in Reef-Building Corals.

Fluorescent protein‐mediated colour polymorphism in reef corals: multicopy genes extend the adaptation/acclimatization potential to variable light environments

The genomic framework that enables corals to adjust to unfavourable conditions is crucial for coral reef survival in a rapidly changing climate. We have explored the striking intraspecific variability in the expression of coral pigments from the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family to elucidate the genomic basis for the plasticity of stress responses among reef corals. We show that multicopy ...

Limited phosphorus availability is the Achilles heel of tropical reef corals in a warming ocean

During the 20(th) century, seawater temperatures have significantly increased, leading to profound alterations in biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes. Elevated temperatures have also caused massive bleaching (symbiont/pigment loss) of autotrophic symbioses, such as in coral-dinoflagellate association. As symbionts provide most nutrients to the host, their expulsion during bleaching in...

Seasonal reproduction in equatorial reef corals

J.R. GUEST1*, A.H. BAIRD2, B.P.L. GOH3 and L.M. CHOU4 School of Biology and Psychology, Division of Biology, King George VI Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK Tel. +44 (791) 374-1557; email: [email protected] Centre for Coral Reef Biodiversity, Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia Natural Sciences, National...