Unlocking the phylogenetic diversity, primary habitats, and abundances of free‐living Symbiodiniaceae on a coral reef

Dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae form mutualistic symbioses with marine invertebrates such as reef‐building corals, but also inhabit reef environments as free‐living cells. Most coral species acquire Symbiodiniaceae horizontally from the surrounding environment during the larval and/or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology 2021-01, Vol.30 (1), p.343-360
Main Authors: Fujise, Lisa, Suggett, David J., Stat, Michael, Kahlke, Tim, Bunce, Michael, Gardner, Stephanie G., Goyen, Samantha, Woodcock, Stephen, Ralph, Peter J., Seymour, Justin R., Siboni, Nachshon, Nitschke, Matthew R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abundance
Algae
benthic
Biodiversity
Columnar structure
Community structure
Coral reefs
Corals
Dinoflagellates
DNA sequencing
Environmental DNA
epiphytic
Expulsion
free‐living
habitat
Invertebrates
ITS2
Marine invertebrates
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Populations
qPCR
Recombination
Seaweeds
Spawning
Symbiodiniaceae
Symbionts
Symbiosis
Water analysis
Water circulation
Water column
Water sampling
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Summary:Dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae form mutualistic symbioses with marine invertebrates such as reef‐building corals, but also inhabit reef environments as free‐living cells. Most coral species acquire Symbiodiniaceae horizontally from the surrounding environment during the larval and/or recruitment phase, however the phylogenetic diversity and ecology of free‐living Symbiodiniaceae on coral reefs is largely unknown. We coupled environmental DNA sequencing and genus‐specific qPCR to resolve the community structure and cell abundances of free‐living Symbiodiniaceae in the water column, sediment, and macroalgae and compared these to coral symbionts. Sampling was conducted at two time points, one of which coincided with the annual coral spawning event when recombination between hosts and free‐living Symbiodiniaceae is assumed to be critical. Amplicons of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region were assigned to 12 of the 15 Symbiodiniaceae genera or genera‐equivalent lineages. Community compositions were separated by habitat, with water samples containing a high proportion of sequences corresponding to coral symbionts of the genus Cladocopium, potentially as a result of cell expulsion from in hospite populations. Sediment‐associated Symbiodiniaceae communities were distinct, potentially due to the presence of exclusively free‐living species. Intriguingly, macroalgal surfaces displayed the highest cell abundances of Symbiodiniaceae, suggesting a key role for macroalgae in ensuring the ecological success of corals through maintenance of a continuum between environmental and symbiotic populations of Symbiodiniaceae.
ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
DOI:10.1111/mec.15719