Contrasting light spectra constrain the macro and microstructures of scleractinian corals

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 29;9(8):e105863. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105863. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The morphological plasticity of scleractinian corals can be influenced by numerous factors in their natural environment. However, it is difficult to identify in situ the relative influence of a single biotic or abiotic factor, due to potential interactions between them. Light is considered as a major factor affecting coral skeleton morphology, due to their symbiotic relation with photosynthetic zooxanthellae. Nonetheless, most studies addressing the importance of light on coral morphological plasticity have focused on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensity, with the effect of light spectra remaining largely unknown. The present study evaluated how different light spectra affect the skeleton macro- and microstructures in two coral species (Acropora formosa sensu Veron (2000) and Stylophora pistillata) maintained under controlled laboratory conditions. We tested the effect of three light treatments with the same PAR but with a distinct spectral emission: 1) T5 fluorescent lamps with blue emission; 2) Light Emitting Diodes (LED) with predominantly blue emission; and 3) Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) with full spectra emission. To exclude potential bias generated by genetic variability, the experiment was performed with clonal fragments for both species. After 6 months of experiment, it was possible to detect in coral fragments of both species exposed to different light spectra significant differences in morphometry (e.g., distance among corallites, corallite diameter, and theca thickness), as well as in the organization of their skeleton microstructure. The variability found in the skeleton macro- and microstructures of clonal organisms points to the potential pitfalls associated with the exclusive use of morphometry on coral taxonomy. Moreover, the identification of a single factor influencing the morphology of coral skeletons is relevant for coral aquaculture and can allow the optimization of reef restoration efforts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthozoa / classification
  • Anthozoa / radiation effects*
  • Anthozoa / ultrastructure
  • Dinoflagellida / physiology
  • Dinoflagellida / radiation effects*
  • Ecosystem
  • Light*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Photosynthesis / radiation effects
  • Species Specificity
  • Symbiosis / radiation effects*

Grants and funding

This research was not funded by any agency or project. Only RJMR was supported by a grant financed by project “Sustainable Use of Marine Resources –MARES” (CENTRO-07-ST24-FEDER-002033), co-funded by QREN, Mais Centro e Programa Operacional Regional do Centro, Portugal and European Union/European Regional Development Fund. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.