Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

Advancing coral micropropagation for coral restoration and reef engineering

This study develops a hypersalinity-induced polyp bailout protocol and attachment devices to generate and grow coral micropropagates for reef restoration and engineering.

A paleogenomic and paleoclimatic approach to reconstruct historical responses of coral holobionts to anthropogenic change

This study uses paleogenomic and paleoclimatic data to reconstruct historical changes in coral holobiont composition linked to anthropogenic disturbances in a Caribbean reef.

Inter- and intra-specific variation in the pelagic larval duration of four Tropical Eastern Pacific damselfishes (Pomacentridae: Stegastes) with contrasting distribution patterns

The paper examines PLD variation in four damselfish species across different locations, finding that oceanic species have longer PLDs and that spatial variability exists within continental species.

Marine spatial planning to enhance coral adaptive potential

This study evaluates how marine protected area (MPA) network design affects coral adaptive potential by simulating eco-evolutionary processes under climate change scenarios.

Microbiomes of three coral species in the Mexican Caribbean and their shifts associated with the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

The paper analyzes the microbiomes of three coral species in the Mexican Caribbean to understand how SCTLD affects their microbial communities and functional profiles.

Coral microbiomes from the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans have the same alpha diversity but different composition

The paper compares coral microbiomes from the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans, finding similar alpha diversity but distinct composition, with implications for symbiont phylogeny and environmental change.

Coralline companions: Exploring microbes in coral ecosystems

The paper identifies ciliates and bacteria associated with healthy and diseased corals in the Gulf of Mannar, aiming to understand disease dynamics and develop biocontrol agents for coral conservation.

A genome and tissue-specific transcriptomes of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora: Recipe for a coral polyp

The paper reports genome and transcriptome analyses of four tissues in the coral Fimbriaphyllia ancora, revealing tissue-specific gene expression and biological functions.

Genomic data reveals habitat partitioning in massive Porites on Guam, Micronesia

The paper uses genomic data to investigate genetic differentiation in Porites corals across contrasting reef habitats on Guam, finding seven clades with distinct habitat preferences.

Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance

This study confirms whole-genome duplication in the algal symbiont Durusdinium trenchii and shows how lifestyle adaptations enhance coral thermotolerance.

Novel metagenomics analysis of stony coral tissue loss disease

The paper applies a novel metagenomics analysis to SCTLD lesions and healthy tissues to identify disease-associated microbiome members.

Transcriptomic signatures across a critical sedimentation threshold in a major reef-building coral

The paper identifies transcriptomic changes in Porites lobata across a sedimentation threshold, revealing molecular mechanisms for stress tolerance and resilience in turbid environments.

Coral hosts actively accumulate inorganic carbon for Symbiodiniaceae to maintain symbiotic relationships

This study shows corals actively accumulate dissolved inorganic carbon for their algal symbionts, supporting symbiosis, and reveals pathways involved in this process.

Advancing Reef Monitoring Techniques through Exometabolomics: Quantification of Labile Dissolved Organic Metabolites on Coral Reefs

This study quantifies polar exometabolites on coral reefs using chemical derivatization and mass spectrometry, identifying 23 previously undetected metabolites and showing geographic variability.

Shadows over Caribbean reefs: Identification of a new invasive soft coral species, Xenia umbellata, in southwest Puerto Rico

The paper identifies a new invasive soft coral species, Xenia umbellata, in southwest Puerto Rico using genetic analysis and highlights its ecological impact.

Unveiling the molecular choreography: In-depth single-cell transcriptomic exploration of the regenerative dynamics in stony coral

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze coral regeneration dynamics in Acropora muricata, identifying key cellular changes and gene pathways involved in growth and biomineralization.

Proposed network of Marine Protected Areas supports larval dispersal and connectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean

The paper evaluates a proposed network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Eastern Mediterranean, finding it supports larval connectivity for five species through metrics like recruits and betweenness centrality.

Coastal oceanographic connectivity estimates at the global scale

The paper provides global coastal oceanographic connectivity estimates using biophysical modeling and introduces an R package for analysis and visualization.

Characterizing transcriptomic responses to sediment stress across location and morphology in reef-building corals

This study examines transcriptomic responses to sediment stress in branching and massive corals across different locations, finding species-specific and morphological differences in gene expression.

Calcification and trophic responses of Mesophotic reefs to carbonate chemistry variability

This study measures calcification and productivity in mesophotic reefs to assess their response to carbonate chemistry variability.

Symbiosis modulates gene expression of symbionts, but not hosts, under thermal challenge

The paper examines gene expression responses of coral hosts and their symbionts to thermal stress, finding hosts show stronger responses than symbionts, with symbionts exhibiting greater plasticity when free-living.

Ploidy variation and its implications for reproduction and population dynamics in two sympatric Hawaiian coral species

The paper analyzes genetic variation and reproductive strategies in two sympatric Hawaiian coral species, finding one is strictly sexual and the other predominantly asexual with triploid clades.

Divergent transcriptional response to thermal stress among life stages could constrain coral adaptation to climate change

This study examines how thermal stress affects gene expression across different life stages of corals, finding stage-specific responses that may influence adaptation to climate change.

Molecular insights into the Darwin paradox of coral reefs from the sea anemone Aiptasia

The paper shows that glucose from symbiotic algae supports nitrogen assimilation in Aiptasia, enabling survival in nutrient-poor environments.

Mutations in coral soma and sperm imply lifelong stem cell renewal and cell lineage selection

The paper identifies SNVs in coral sperm and somatic tissue, suggesting lifelong stem cell renewal and lineage selection in corals.

Disparate patterns of genetic divergence in three widespread corals across a pan-Pacific environmental gradient highlights species-specific adaptation trajectories.

The paper analyzes genetic divergence in three coral species across a Pacific environmental gradient, showing species-specific evolutionary patterns despite similar environments.

Thermal preconditioning in a reef-building coral alleviates oxidative damage through a BI-1 mediated antioxidant response

This study shows that thermal preconditioning in corals enhances antioxidant defenses via BI-1 regulation of GR, reducing oxidative DNA damage during heat stress.

Calcium homeostasis disruption initiates rapid growth after micro-fragmentation in the scleractinian coral Porites lobata

This study uses RNA-seq to analyze the physiological responses of Porites lobata to fragmentation and outplanting, revealing rapid wound regeneration and growth phases with specific metabolic and stress responses.

The Genome of the Mustard Hill Coral, Porites astreoides

This paper presents the first draft reference genome of the mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, using long-read sequencing and provides functional annotations to support comparative genomic studies and coral conservation efforts.

The reef-building coral Galaxea fascicularis: a new model system for coral symbiosis research

This paper identifies Galaxea fascicularis as a new model coral species for studying symbiosis, showing it can be bleached and reinfected with non-native algae and complete its gametogenic cycle in captivity.