Epilithic Bacterial Assemblages on Subtidal Rocky Reefs: Variation Among Alternative Habitats at Ambient and Enhanced Nutrient Levels

• DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02174-1
• Publication Date: 2023-02-17T07:53:25Z
• Authors: Joseph Elsherbini; Christopher Corzett; Chiara Ravaglioli; Laura Tamburello; Martin Polz; Fabio Bulleri
• Keywords: Urchin barrens; 0301 basic medicine; 106022 Mikrobiologie; Epilithic microbial biofilms; Temperate rocky reefs; Marine forests; Coral Reefs; Algal turfs; Epilithic microbial biofilms; Marine forests; Temperate rocky reefs; Urchin barrens; SDG 14 – Leben unter Wasser; Nutrients; 15. Life on land; Forests; Algal turfs; 03 medical and health sciences; 13. Climate action; 106026 Ökosystemforschung; Sea Urchins; 106022 Microbiology; Animals; Original Article; 14. Life underwater; SDG 14 - Life Below Water; 106026 Ecosystem research; Ecosystem

Temperate rocky reefs often support mosaics of alternative habitats such as macroalgal forests, algal turfs and sea urchin barrens. Although the composition epilithic microbial biofilms (EMBs) is recognized a major determinant recruitment, their role in regulating stability on temperate remains unexplored. On shallow Island Capraia (NW Mediterranean), we compared EMB structure among canopy stands formed by fucoid Ericaria brachycarpa, turfs, barrens under ambient versus experimentally enhanced nutrient levels. The three shared core community consisting 21.6 25.3% total ASVs conditions, respectively. Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria Flavobacteriia were most abundant classes across habitats, multivariate analyses at ASV level showed marked differences habitats. Enhancing had no significant effect EMBs, although it increased similarity between turf At both enriched levels, mostly belonging to Proteobacteria Bacteroidetes more EMBs from canopies than In contrast, phylum and, particular, families Rhodobacteraceae Flavobacteriaceae levels Bacteriovoracaceae Our results show that primary surfaces form oligotrophic areas host distinct communities are, some extent, resistant moderate enhancement. Understanding generating reinforcing feedback different loading regimes appears crucial advance our understanding mechanisms underpinning forests well reverse shifts.