Dimethylsulfoniopropionate in corals and its interrelations with bacterial assemblages in coral surface mucus

• DOI: 10.1071/en15023
• Publication Date: 2015-08-27T07:18:56Z
• Authors: P. R. Frade; V. Schwaninger; B. Glasl; E. Sintes; R. W. Hill; R. Simó; G. J. Herndl
• Keywords: Dimethylsulfoniopropionate; Symbiodinium; Anthozoa; Holobiont

Environmental context Corals produce copious amounts of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a sulfur compound implicated in climate regulation. We studied DMSP concentrations inside corals and unveiled the linkage between availability abundance DMSP-degrading bacterial groups inhabiting corals’ surface. Our findings suggest that mediates interplay microbes, highlighting importance compounds for microbial processes resilience coral reef ecosystems. Abstract thought to play role structuring coral-associated communities. tested hypothesis exists tissues community dynamics bacteria surface mucus. determined three species (Meandrina meandrites, Porites astreoides Siderastrea siderea) at two sampling depths (5 25m) times day (dawn noon) Curaçao, Southern Caribbean. concentration (4–409nmolcm–2 surface) varied with host species-specific traits such as Symbiodinium cell abundance, but not depth or time sampling. Exposure air caused doubling their concentration. The phylogenetic affiliation mucus-associated was examined by clone libraries targeting main subclades demethylase gene (dmdA). dmdA quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) against reference housekeeping (recA). Overall, higher corresponded lower relative gene, this pattern uniform across all subclades, suggesting existence distinct niches varying affinities. This is first study quantifying linking related changes availability. suggests regulation microbes highlights significance reefs.