. Earth Science News .




.
WATER WORLD
Study shows adaptive capacity of reef corals to climate change may be widespread
by Staff Writers
Miami FL (SPX) Apr 16, 2012

Using a highly sensitive genetic technique, Ph.D. student Rachel Silverstein analyzed 39 coral species from DNA collected in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean collected over the last 15 years. Most of these species had not previously been thought capable of hosting more than one type of the single-celled symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, which live inside the coral and help to supply them with energy. Silverstein's results revealed that at least one colony of all 39 species tested had at least two varieties of algae, including one thought to be heat tolerant. Over half of the species were found to associate with all four of the major types of algae found in corals. The study, titled "Specificity is rarely absolute in coral-algal symbiosis: implications for coral response to climate change," was published in the online edition of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Credit: UM/RSMAS.

A new study by scientists at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science suggests that many species of reef-building corals may be able to adapt to warming waters by relying on their closest aquatic partners - algae.

The corals' ability to host a variety of algal types, each with different sensitivities to environmental stress, could offer a much-needed lifeline in the face of global climate change.

Using a highly sensitive genetic technique, Ph.D. student Rachel Silverstein analyzed 39 coral species from DNA collected in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean collected over the last 15 years. Most of these species had not previously been thought capable of hosting more than one type of the single-celled symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, which live inside the coral and help to supply them with energy.

Silverstein's results revealed that at least one colony of all 39 species tested had at least two varieties of algae, including one thought to be heat tolerant. Over half of the species were found to associate with all four of the major types of algae found in corals.

"This study shows that more coral species are able to host multiple algal symbionts than we previously thought," said Andrew Baker, associate professor at UM's Rosenstiel School and co-author of the study.

"The fact that they all seem to be capable of hosting symbionts that might help them survive warmer temperatures suggests they have hidden potential that was once thought to be confined to just a few special species."

More than 10 years ago, Baker was one of the first scientists to suggest that the ability of corals to associate with diverse algal symbionts may be one mechanism by which they are able to rapidly respond to environmental changes, such as increased ocean temperatures due to climate change.

"Although our study shows that different coral species do tend to have preferences in their algal partners, the fact that these preferences are not absolutely rigid means that we cannot ignore the possibility that most corals might change partners in response to environmental changes in the future," said Silverstein.

Globally, reefs have lost more than 70 percent of their corals as a result of pollution, disease, overfishing, and climate change. Increased temperatures cause coral "bleaching," in which corals expel their algal partners, turn pale, and often die.

However, some symbionts can resist bleaching in warmer waters and may help the corals survive during stress. The ability to host multiple symbionts may help save coral reefs from future losses during expected ocean temperatures increases of 2-4 degrees Celsius (3-7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100.

"These new findings should encourage us to find better ways to protect coral reef ecosystems from overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, and buy us some time to avoid the worst climate change scenarios," said Baker, who is also a research associate of the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York.

Related Links
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries






.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



WATER WORLD
South Africa issues shark warning around washed-up whale
Cape Town (AFP) April 13, 2012
South African coastal authorities on Friday warned beachgoers around the tourist town of Knysna that sharks were moving into the area, feeding on the remains of a whale that ran ashore two days ago. After sea crews failed to dislodge the 14-metre (46-foot) whale from the rocks off the southern coast, workers from nearby towns began chopping up the carcass and hauling parts away by road, the ... read more


WATER WORLD
New underwater images show damage at Fukushima

Quake-hit Christchurch to build cardboard cathedral

Indonesia warns runaway prisoners after quake chaos

Indonesia's disaster-ready schools pass quake test

WATER WORLD
SciTechTalk: Rude awakening for Mac owners

Controlling the cut - Nottingham engineers top the leader board

Moody's downgrades Nokia's rating, keeps negative outlook

Twitter alive with talk of dead rapper hologram

WATER WORLD
South Africa issues shark warning around washed-up whale

Study shows adaptive capacity of reef corals to climate change may be widespread

Hatchery, OSU scientists link ocean acidification to larval oyster failure

New insights into when beach sand may become unsafe for digging and other contact

WATER WORLD
No ice loss seen in major Himalayan glaciers: scientists

China seeking to expand role in Arctic

Penguins aplenty in Antarctica, satellite map shows

Long-term studies detect effects of disappearing snow and ice

WATER WORLD
Poor Spring Rain Projected in Africa

Which plants will survive droughts, climate change?

Fuelling the agricultural energy debate

Climate said threat to Asia's 'Rice Bowl'

WATER WORLD
Indonesia revises quake toll to 10 dead

Thieves compromise Indonesian tsunami alert system

Asian tsunami warnings test post-2004 systems

Two strong quakes strike off Mexico: USGS

WATER WORLD
G.Bissau army says coup bid over secret deal with Angola

ECOWAS council asks regional leaders to okay Mali force

Coup attempt in G.Bissau, attack on PM residence

DR Congo must arrest war crimes suspect: rights group

WATER WORLD
Chinese-Brazilian superkid insists he's no 'genius'

Data mining opens the door to predictive neuroscience

The Neurogenics of Niceness

Scientists find evidence that human ancestors used fire one million years ago


Memory Foam Mattress Review

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily Express :: SpaceWar Express :: TerraDaily Express :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement