Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2020

Seiten: 2433-243+

Zeitschrift: Current Biology

Bandnummer: 30

Heftnummer: 13

ISSN: 0960-9822

eISSN: 1879-0445

Open Access Status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.055

Verlag: Cell Press

Abstract: 
Coral bleaching, caused by the loss of brownish-colored dinoflagellate photosymbionts from the host tissue of reef-building corals, is a major threat to reef survival. Occasionally, bleached corals become exceptionally colorful rather than white. These colors derive from photoprotective green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like pigments produced by the coral host. There is currently no consensus regarding what causes colorful bleaching events and what the consequences for the corals are. Here, we document that colorful bleaching events are a recurring phenomenon in reef regions around the globe. Our analysis of temperature conditions associated with colorful bleaching events suggests that corals develop extreme coloration within 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to mild or temporary heat stress. We demonstrate that the increase of light fluxes in symbiontdepleted tissue promoted by reflection of the incident light from the coral skeleton induces strong expression of the photoprotective coral host pigments. We describe an optical feedback loop involving both partners of the association, discussing that themitigation of light stress offered by host pigments could facilitate recolonization of bleached tissue by symbionts. Our data indicate that colorful bleaching has the potential to identify local environmental factors, such as nutrient stress, that can exacerbate the impact of elevated temperatures on corals, to indicate the severity of heat stress experienced by corals and to gauge their post-stress recovery potential.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Bollati, E., D'Angelo, C., Alderdice, R., Pratchett, M., Ziegler, M. and Wiedenmann, J. (2020) Optical Feedback Loop Involving Dinoflagellate Symbiont and Scleractinian Host Drives Colorful Coral Bleaching, Current Biology, 30(13), pp. 2433-243+. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.055

APA-Zitierstil: Bollati, E., D'Angelo, C., Alderdice, R., Pratchett, M., Ziegler, M., & Wiedenmann, J. (2020). Optical Feedback Loop Involving Dinoflagellate Symbiont and Scleractinian Host Drives Colorful Coral Bleaching. Current Biology. 30(13), 2433-243+. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.055