Symbiodinium associated with the high-latitude scleractinian corals from Jeju Island, South Korea

Abstract

Most of the studies on Symbiodinium associated with scleractinians focus on reefs in the tropical region. To date, their diversity in the outlying and non-reefal coral communities in the high latitude remains poorly documented. In this study, we analyzed the Symbiodinium diversity associated with (you may use to but mostly we use with) 6 common scleractinian species collected at Jeju Island, South Korea (33.4°N). Samples were collected between 5 and 15 meters at 8 locations around the island. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of the amplified Internal Transcribed Spacer region 2 distinguished 5 Symbiodinium types within 270 samples. Montipora efflorescens, Montipora millepora were constantly associated with C17 and both Psammocora albopicta and Psammocora profundacella with C1. While Alveopora japonica was exclusively associated with F2c, Oulastrea crispata colonies harbored predominantly D1a with an occasional presence of C3. Our results support the high specificity and the possible local endemicity for Symbiodinium associated to scleractinian from these latitudes. Moreover, the presence of common widespread C-types, considered as thermo-sensitive, may suggest the major role of the host in acclimatizing harsh environmental conditions.y, we analyzed the Symbiodinium diversity associated with (you may use to but mostly we use with) 6 common scleractinian species collected at Jeju Island, South Korea (33.4°N). Samples were collected between 5 and 15 meters at 8 locations around the island. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of the amplified Internal Transcribed Spacer region 2 distinguished 5 Symbiodinium types within 270 samples. Montipora efflorescens, Montipora millepora were constantly associated with C17 and both Psammocora albopicta and Psammocora profundacella with C1. While Alveopora japonica was exclusively associated with F2c, Oulastrea crispata colonies harbored predominantly D1a with an occasional presence of C3. Our results support the high specificity and the possible local endemicity for Symbiodinium associated to scleractinian from these latitudes. Moreover, the presence of common widespread C-types, considered as thermo-sensitive, may suggest the major role of the host in acclimatizing harsh environmental conditions.