Species-Specific Interactions Between Algal Endosymbionts And Coral Hosts Define Their Bleaching Response To Heat And Light Stress

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 26 Jun 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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This study highlights the complexity of interactions between corals and their symbiotic partners (Symbiodinium) in shaping their response to thermal stress.

Virtually all studies published to date on symbiont-induced thermal tolerance indicate type D Symbiodinium is the superior symbiont.

However, using a common Indo-Pacific species, we found that corals associating with type C1 Symbiodinium were more thermally robust than those associating with type D.

Our results challenge speculations that associations with type D are universally most robust to thermal stress and emphasize that interactions between both partners may play a significant role in the way corals adapt to warmer oceans.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology

Royal Society B: Biological Sciences