The Plymouth Student Scientist
Document Type
Literature Review
Abstract
The coral holobiont is a complex and diverse composition of organisms including algae, bacteria and viruses. A number of factors suggested as vital in shaping these communities are considered here. The anthozoan host generates great diversity within its microbiota via spatial and metabolic structuring at both macro- and micro-scales; coral communities appear to be somewhat species-specific, yet spatial and temporal variation in coral microbiota suggests the significance of environmental agents. Increasing sea temperatures may cause fatal dissolution of the coral-algal partnership (coral bleaching), and although some adaptation to elevated temperature appears possible, anthropogenic stressors such as reduced pH and sedimentation have been implicated in microbial community shifts, coral disease, and decreasing holobiont resilience. Holobiont interactions appear vital in maintaining coral health, thus disturbance of any community members may cause problematic indirect effects. Enhanced understanding of holobiont health and function is therefore crucial for coral reef conservation.
Publication Date
2013-12-01
Publication Title
The Plymouth Student Scientist
Volume
6
Issue
2
First Page
378
Last Page
393
ISSN
1754-2383
Deposit Date
May 2019
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Warwick-Dugdale, Joanna
(2013)
"What factors structure Anthozoan microbial communities?,"
The Plymouth Student Scientist: Vol. 6:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24382/nc0n-aa78
Available at:
https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/tpss/vol6/iss2/2
