The use of experimentally evolved coral photosymbionts for reef restoration

作者：Matthew R. Nitschke, David Abrego, Corinne E. Allen, Carlos Alvarez-Roa, Nadine M. Boulotte, Patrick Buerger, Wing Yan Chan, Wladimir A. Fae Neto, Elizabeth A. Ivory, Bede G Johnston, Luka Meyers, Catalina Parra V, Lesa M. Peplow, Tahirih Perez, Hugo J. Scharfenstein, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen · 发表于：Trends in Microbiology · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.tim.2024.05.008 · 被引用次数：36 · 研究领域：Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies、Marine and coastal plant biology、Marine and fisheries research

The heat tolerance of corals is largely determined by their microbial photosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae, colloquially known as zooxanthellae). Therefore, manipulating symbiont communities may enhance the ability of corals to survive summer heatwaves. Although heat-tolerant and -sensitive symbiont species occur in nature, even corals that harbour naturally tolerant symbionts have been observed to bleach during summer heatwaves. Experimental evolution (i.e., laboratory selection) of Symbiodiniaceae cultures under elevated temperatures has been successfully used to enhance their upper thermal tolerance, both in vitro and, in some instances, following their reintroduction into corals. In this review, we present the state of this intervention and its potential role within coral reef restoration, and discuss the next critical steps required to bridge the gap to implementation.