Coral-Associated Bacteria and Their Role in the Biogeochemical Cycling of Sulfur

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.02567-08
• Publication Date: 2009-04-04T01:58:52Z
• Authors: Jean-Baptiste Raina; Dianne Tapiolas; Bette L. Willis; David G. Bourne
• Keywords: Dimethylsulfoniopropionate; Roseobacter; Alphaproteobacteria

Marine bacteria play a central role in the degradation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylic acid, DMS being critical cloud formation thereby cooling effects on climate. High concentrations DMSP have been reported scleractinian coral tissues although, date, there no investigations into influence these organic sulfur compounds coral-associated bacteria. Two species, Montipora aequituberculata Acropora millepora, were sampled their bacterial communities characterized by both culture-dependent molecular techniques. Four genera, Roseobacter, Spongiobacter, Vibrio, Alteromonas, which isolated media with either or as sole carbon source, comprised majority clones retrieved from mucus tissue 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Clones affiliated Roseobacter sp. constituted 28% M. libraries, while 59% A. millepora libraries sequences related Spongiobacter genus. Vibrio spp. commonly acid enrichments also present mucus, suggesting that under "normal" environmental conditions, they are natural component communities. Genes homologous dddD, dddL, previously implicated degradation, strains, confirming associated corals potential metabolize this compound when tissues. Our results demonstrate DMSP, DMS, potentially act nutrient sources for likely structuring corals, important consequences health reef ecosystems.