Tissue fusion and enhanced genotypic diversity support the survival of Pocillopora acuta coral recruits under thermal stress

Huffmyer, Ariana S.; Drury, Crawford; Majerová, Eva; Lemus, Judith D.; Gates, Ruth D.

doi:10.1007/s00338-021-02074-1

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Evidence indicates that low larval settlement densities can compromise the production of SUs with at least one colony at the time of outplanting due to high post-settlement mortality, while high settlement densities can compromise survivorship due to density dependent effects (Doropoulos et al, 2017;Cameron and Harrison, 2020). Additionally, high larval densities promote the formation of chimeras, a factor that needs further research as their implications on colony growth and survivorship are still understudied (however see Rinkevich, 2019;Huffmyer et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experimental Framework for Selectively Breeding Corals for Assisted Evolution

et al. 2021

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Coral cover on tropical reefs has declined during the last three decades due to the combined effects of climate change, destructive fishing, pollution, and land use change. Drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions combined with effective coastal management and conservation strategies are essential to slow this decline. Innovative approaches, such as selective breeding for adaptive traits combined with large-scale sexual propagation, are being developed with the aim of pre-adapting reefs to increased ocean warming. However, there are still major gaps in our understanding of the technical and methodological constraints to producing corals for such restoration interventions. Here we propose a framework for selectively breeding corals and rearing them from eggs to 2.5-year old colonies using the coral Acropora digitifera as a model species. We present methods for choosing colonies for selective crossing, enhancing early survivorship in ex situ and in situ nurseries, and outplanting and monitoring colonies on natal reefs. We used a short-term (7-day) temperature stress assay to select parental colonies based on heat tolerance of excised branches. From six parental colonies, we produced 12 distinct crosses, and compared survivorship and growth of colonies transferred to in situ nurseries or outplanted to the reef at different ages. We demonstrate that selectively breeding and rearing coral colonies is technically feasible at small scales and could be upscaled as part of restorative assisted evolution initiatives. Nonetheless, there are still challenges to overcome before selective breeding can be implemented as a viable conservation tool, especially at the post-settlement and outplanting phases. Although interdisciplinary approaches will be needed to overcome many of the challenges identified in this study, selective breeding has the potential to be a viable tool within a reef managers toolbox to support the persistence of selected reefs in the face of climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experimental Framework for Selectively Breeding Corals for Assisted Evolution

et al. 2021

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“…The formation and fusion of multi-polyp chimeras during early ontogeny confer numerous benefits that seemingly outweigh the potential costs of conflict among partners (Amar et al, 2008). Chimeras have been shown to exhibit significantly higher survival and growth than individual recruits, and the immediate increase in size achieved through fusion helps vulnerable coral recruits rapidly surpass size-escape thresholds (Raymundo & Maypa, 2004; Amar et al, 2008; Christiansen et al, 2008; Vermeij & Sandin, 2008; Puill-Stephan et al, 2011; Doropoulos et al, 2016; Sampayo et al, 2020; Huffmyer et al, 2021). In addition, chimerism may be a powerful mechanism of “evolutionary rescue”, because the genetic variation present in multi-partner aggregations may enhance plasticity and stress tolerance compared with single-genet individuals (Rinkevich & Yankelevich, 2004; Rinkevich et al, 2016; Rinkevich, 2019; Huffmyer et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chimeras have been shown to exhibit significantly higher survival and growth than individual recruits, and the immediate increase in size achieved through fusion helps vulnerable coral recruits rapidly surpass size-escape thresholds (Raymundo & Maypa, 2004; Amar et al, 2008; Christiansen et al, 2008; Vermeij & Sandin, 2008; Puill-Stephan et al, 2011; Doropoulos et al, 2016; Sampayo et al, 2020; Huffmyer et al, 2021). In addition, chimerism may be a powerful mechanism of “evolutionary rescue”, because the genetic variation present in multi-partner aggregations may enhance plasticity and stress tolerance compared with single-genet individuals (Rinkevich & Yankelevich, 2004; Rinkevich et al, 2016; Rinkevich, 2019; Huffmyer et al, 2021). Huffmyer et al (2021) reported that fused Pocillopora acuta recruits survived five days longer than individuals under high temperature (+2.5 °C), and even longer when multiple parental genotypes were represented.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, chimerism may be a powerful mechanism of “evolutionary rescue”, because the genetic variation present in multi-partner aggregations may enhance plasticity and stress tolerance compared with single-genet individuals (Rinkevich & Yankelevich, 2004; Rinkevich et al, 2016; Rinkevich, 2019; Huffmyer et al, 2021). Huffmyer et al (2021) reported that fused Pocillopora acuta recruits survived five days longer than individuals under high temperature (+2.5 °C), and even longer when multiple parental genotypes were represented. In this study, the relative resistance to SCTLD observed in chimeric C. natans entities may be derived in part from their ability to draw upon a wider repertoire of resources and traits, including those involved in resisting disease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, the fusion of multiple primary polyps into a chimeric colony may allow vulnerable coral recruits to rapidly surpass size-escape thresholds (Raymundo & Maypa, 2004; Amar et al, 2008; Christiansen et al, 2008; Vermeij & Sandin, 2008; Puill-Stephan et al, 2011; Doropoulos et al, 2016; Sampayo et al, 2020). Moreover, the inherent genetic diversity of chimeric colonies is also thought to offer advantages for coral resilience (Rinkevich & Yankelevich, 2004; Rinkevich et al, 2016; Rinkevich, 2019; Huffmyer et al, 2021). With high mortality already a hallmark of early ontogeny in corals, it is likely that SCTLD outbreaks may exacerbate the bottlenecks that impact populations of juvenile corals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of species, size, and chimerism on the susceptibility of Caribbean brain coral recruits to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)

Williamson

Dennison

O’Neil

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has devastated coral populations along Florida’s Coral Reef and beyond. Although widespread infection and mortality of adult colonies have been documented, no studies have yet investigated the susceptibility of recruits to this disease. Here, we exposed eight-month-old Diploria labyrinthiformis recruits and four-month-old Colpophyllia natans recruits to two sequential doses of SCTLD in the laboratory to track infection and assess potential resilience. Both species began to develop lesions as early as 48 h after exposure began. During the first dose, 59.0% of C. natans recruits lost all tissue (died) within two to eight days of developing lesions, whereas D. labyrinthiformis recruits experienced significantly slower rates of tissue loss and minimal eventual mortality. In C. natans, larger recruits and those fused into groups of multiple genets (chimeras) exhibited the highest survivorship. In contrast, smaller and/or single (ungrouped) recruits had the lowest survivorship (9.9 - 26.5%). After 20 days, a second SCTLD dose was delivered to further test resistance in remaining recruits, and all recruits of both species succumbed within 6 days. Although no recruits showed absolute resistance to SCTLD following repeated exposures, our results provide evidence that interactions between species, size, and chimerism can impact relative resistance. This study represents the first report of SCTLD in Caribbean coral recruits and carries implications for natural species recovery and reef restoration efforts. Additional research on the susceptibility of coral juveniles to SCTLD is urgently needed, to include different species, locations, parents, and algal symbionts, with the goal of assessing relative susceptibility and identifying potential sources of resilience for this critical life history stage.

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Variable intraspecific genetic diversity effects impact thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral

et al. 2022

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Tissue fusion and enhanced genotypic diversity support the survival of Pocillopora acuta coral recruits under thermal stress

Cited by 20 publications

References 64 publications

An Experimental Framework for Selectively Breeding Corals for Assisted Evolution

An Experimental Framework for Selectively Breeding Corals for Assisted Evolution

Effect of species, size, and chimerism on the susceptibility of Caribbean brain coral recruits to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)

Variable intraspecific genetic diversity effects impact thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral

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