Using the phylogenetic past to predict climate impacts: ecophysiology of symbiosis and accelerated evolution to coral reef conservation

• Grant number: 22/03105-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• Duration: February 01, 2023 - January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Physiology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Samuel Coelho de Faria
• Grantee: Samuel Coelho de Faria
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMAR). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Sebastião , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alvaro Esteves Migotto ; Anieli Cristina Maraschi ; Aurea Maria Ciotti ; Carla Zilberberg ; Hudson Tercio Pinheiro ; Kátia Cristina Cruz Capel ; Marcelo Visentini Kitahara ; Miguel Mies ; Ronaldo Bastos Francini Filho
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/10586-7 - Effects of Temperature on Heterotrophy and Energy Metabolism in Scleractinian Corals, BP.MS; 24/10584-4 - Photophysiology, metabolism and trophic ecology in octocorals under simulated climate change, BP.MS

Abstract

The holobiont coral - animal host, photosymbionts (zooxanthellae), bacteria and viruses - is an evolutionary unit whose parts respond synergistically and integrally to environmental pressures. Coral reefs are pivotal in maintaining marine biodiversity, however 50% of Brazilian reefs are threatened. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is to lead led to scientific, environmental, social and public policy impacts from short to long terms by answering three major questions: whether the diversification of bacterial and zooxanthellae species is associated with coral speciation events; whether the acquisition of symbiosis affected the evolution of coral physiology, adaptation to extreme environments and tolerance to climate change; and whether it is possible to accelerate the zooxanthellae evolution and transfer potential tolerance to the host coral. Dozens of zooxanthellate or azooxanthellate coral species will be collected from the deep sea, mesophotic and shallow reefs, and intertidal region of the coast of Brazil. The diversity of zooxanthellae and/or bacteria will be genomically characterized for phylogenetic reconstructions in light of coral systematics. Ecophysiological biomarkers associated with respiration and photosynthesis, energy and oxidative metabolism, calcification and trophic ecology will be evaluated in corals and zooxanthellae separately. Finally, photosymbionts will have their evolution accelerated in laboratory to promote thermal tolerance in order to create more resilient hosts. The evolutionary past will be retrieved, therefore, searching for phylogenetic contraints that promote tolerance or susceptibility to climate change, while anticipating the future with assisted evolution to discuss new tools that can support co-creation strategies with decision makers. (AU)