Morphological and Genetic Recovery of Coral Polyps After Bail-Out

Contemporary advances in microfluidic and molecular techniques have enabled coral studies to shift from reef colony scales polyp- molecular-level investigations. Polyp bail-out provides an alternative approach acquire solitary polyps for at finer scales. Although induction of polyp has been reported several studies, health after not investigated. In this study, we monitored morphological genetic changes Pocillopora acuta induced by hyperosmosis. isosmotic conditions, over 80% bailed-out survived, which half regenerated normal morphology within 5 days, including a polarized body, extended tentacles, distinguishable oral disk. contrast, the remaining degenerated into tissue ball-like structures that resemble multicellular aggregates earlier studies. morphologically recovered polyps, transcriptomic analysis showed ∼87% genes altered during stress status, suggesting resumption metabolism, cell division, immunity, while only ∼71% recovered. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction data further demonstrated recovery energy production, proliferation, immune response was achieved 3 days bail-out, but fully accomplished even days. Our findings indicate generated hyperosmosis-induced can recover rapidly physiological under laboratory could be used as new models research.