Molecular phylogeny and community fingerprinting of coral-associated Symbiodinium north of the Arabian Gulf

Abstract

Understanding coral-Symbiodinium relationships including changes in the genotypes and the numbers of Symbiodinium can explain the ability of Kuwait coral to survive high fluctuations in water temperature. In the current study, the diversity of Symbiodinium associated with fourteen coral species from six reef systems south of Kuwait was investigated. The results proved the predominance of clade C members in all corals tested, which reflects the importance of this type in helping corals thrive in the Gulf's harsh conditions. Platygyra daedalea was the only coral found that harbored clades A, B and C in their tissue but it is the most vulnerable coral for bleaching. The total number of Symbiodinium-like cells in the seawater was 10(4) cell ml(-1) while in coral tissue and mucus 10(7) cell g(-1) and 10(7) cell ml(-1) were found, respectively, and a strong positive correlation with the seawater temperature, salinity and conductivity was found.

Keywords: DGGE; North Arabian Gulf corals; RFLP; Spatial variation; Symbiodinium; Temporal variation.