Species-Specific Variations in the Metabolomic Profiles of Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora millepora Mask Acute Temperature Stress Effects in Adult Coral Colonies

Coral reefs are suffering unprecedented declines in health state on a global scale. Some have suggested that human assisted evolution or gene flow may now be necessary to effectively restore and pre-condition them for future climate change. An understanding of the key metabolic processes corals, including under stressed conditions, would greatly facilitate effective application such interventions. To date, however, there has been little research corals at this level, particularly regarding studies metabolome Scleractinian corals. Here, metabolomic profiles [measured using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( NMR) ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)] two dominant reef building Acropora hyacinthus A. millepora , from distinct geographical locations (Australia Singapore) were characterized. We assessed how an acute temperature stress (an increase 3.25°C ± 0.28 ambient control levels over 8 days), shifted corals’ baseline profiles. Regardless profiling method utilized, signatures coral colonies significantly between species, result supporting previous work. However, strong species-specific signature appeared mask any changes resulting heat stress. On closer examination, we able discriminate groups partial least squares discriminant analysis classification model (PLSDA). all cases “late” components needed selected (i.e., 7 instead 2), suggesting treatment effect was small, relative other sources variation. This highlights importance pre-characterizing colony metabolomes, factoring knowledge into experimental design seeks understand apparently subtle effects adult Further is therefore decouple these apparent individual species-level responses change