The microbial profile of a tissue necrosis affecting the Atlantic invasive coral Tubastraea tagusensis

Author(s)

Zanotti, Aline Aparecida ^{[1, 2]} ; Gregoracci, Gustavo Bueno ^[3] ; Kitahara, Marcelo Visentini ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Marine Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Parana UFPR, Programa Posgrad Sistemas Costeiros & Ocean, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Inst Marine Sci, Santos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 11, n. 1 MAY 10 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The Southwestern Atlantic rocky reef ecosystems are undergoing significant changes due to sun-corals (Tubastraea tagusensis and T. coccinea) invasion. At Buzios Island, on the northern coast of SAo Paulo State, where the abundance of T. tagusensis is particularly high, some colonies are displaying tissue necrosis, a phenomenon never reported for this invasive nor any other azooxanthellate coral species. Using next-generation sequencing, we sought to understand the relationship between T. tagusensis tissue necrosis and its microbiota. Thus, through amplicon sequencing, we studied both healthy and diseased coral colonies. Results indicate a wide variety of bacteria associated with healthy colonies and an even higher diversity associated with those corals presenting tissue necrosis, which displayed nearly 25% more microorganisms. Also, as the microbial community associated with the seven healthy colonies did not alter composition significantly, it was possible to verify the microbial succession during different stages of tissue necrosis (i.e., initial, intermediate, and advanced). Comparing the microbiome from healthy corals to those in early tissue necrosis suggests 21 potential pathogens, which might act as the promoters of such disease. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/01332-0 - Phylogenomics of the order Scleractinia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa): relationships between evolution and climate change
• Grantee: Marcelo Visentini Kitahara
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Young Investigators