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Invasive microbe protects corals from global warming, but at a cost
http://news.psu.edu/story/359323/2015/06/01/research/invasive-microbe-protects-corals-global-warming-cost[font face=Serif]
Physiologically stressed reef corals lose their symbionts and appear bleached. The invasive symbiont, Symbiodinium trenchii is quick to populate these animals after cessation of thermal stress. Image of the Boulder Star Coral (Orbicella faveolata).
Image: Dustin Kemp / University of Georgia
[font size=5]Invasive microbe protects corals from global warming, but at a cost[/font]
June 1, 2015
[font size=3]UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- An invasive species of symbiotic micro-alga has spread across the Caribbean Sea, according to an international team of researchers. These single-cell algae, which live within the cells of coral animals, are improving the resilience of coral communities to heat stress caused by global warming, but also are diminishing the abilities of corals to build reefs.
"The results raise a potentially contentious issue about whether this invasion is relatively good or bad for the long-term productivity of reef corals in the Atlantic Ocean and the ecosystems they support," said Todd LaJeunesse, associate professor of biology, Penn State.
The team's findings appear in today's (JUNE 1) issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
According to LaJeunesse, relationships between corals and photosynthetic algae evolved over millions of years and are generally mutually beneficial. Corals derive energy and nutrients from algae, and in turn algae obtain nutrients and protection by living in the tissues of corals.
…[/font][/font]
Physiologically stressed reef corals lose their symbionts and appear bleached. The invasive symbiont, Symbiodinium trenchii is quick to populate these animals after cessation of thermal stress. Image of the Boulder Star Coral (Orbicella faveolata).
Image: Dustin Kemp / University of Georgia
[font size=5]Invasive microbe protects corals from global warming, but at a cost[/font]
June 1, 2015
[font size=3]UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- An invasive species of symbiotic micro-alga has spread across the Caribbean Sea, according to an international team of researchers. These single-cell algae, which live within the cells of coral animals, are improving the resilience of coral communities to heat stress caused by global warming, but also are diminishing the abilities of corals to build reefs.
"The results raise a potentially contentious issue about whether this invasion is relatively good or bad for the long-term productivity of reef corals in the Atlantic Ocean and the ecosystems they support," said Todd LaJeunesse, associate professor of biology, Penn State.
The team's findings appear in today's (JUNE 1) issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
According to LaJeunesse, relationships between corals and photosynthetic algae evolved over millions of years and are generally mutually beneficial. Corals derive energy and nutrients from algae, and in turn algae obtain nutrients and protection by living in the tissues of corals.
…[/font][/font]
