Genomic signatures of disease resistance in endangered staghorn corals

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2023-09, Vol.381 (6665), p.1451-1454
• Main Authors: Vollmer, Steven V., Selwyn, Jason D., Despard, Brecia A., Roesel, Charles L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acropora cervicornis; Bleaching; Coral reefs; Corals; Disease resistance; Genomics; Nucleotides; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Temperature tolerance; Thermal stress
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adi3601

White band disease (WBD) has caused unprecedented declines in the Caribbean Acropora corals, which are now listed as critically endangered species. Highly disease-resistant Acropora cervicornis genotypes exist, but the genetic underpinnings of disease resistance are not understood. Using transmission experiments, a newly assembled genome, and whole-genome resequencing of 76 A. cervicornis genotypes from Florida and Panama, we identified 10 genomic regions and 73 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with disease resistance and that include functional protein-coding changes in four genes involved in coral immunity and pathogen detection. Polygenic scores calculated from 10 genomic loci indicate that genetic screens can detect disease resistance in wild and nursery stocks of A. cervicornis across the Caribbean. Bleaching and disease outbreaks are the biggest threats to coral reefs. Although heritable variation in coral thermal tolerance is documented, the genetic basis of disease resistance is less well understood. Vollmer et al . identified 10 genomic regions and 73 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that are strongly associated with white band disease resistance in the endangered Caribbean staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis (see the Perspective by Mydlarz and Muller). Ten gene regions were associated with disease resistance, including functional protein coding variation in four genes involved in coral immunity and pathogen detection. Polygenic scores from the top 10 genomic loci could accurately predict observed disease resistance and be applied to improving disease resistance in the wild and nursery stocks of A. cervicornis for reef outplanting. —Caroline Ash Ten genomic regions contribute to disease resistance in endangered staghorn corals.