1. Distributions of stress-resistant coral symbionts match environmental patterns at local but not regional scales.
- Author
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Oliver, Thomas A. and Palumbi, Stephen R.
- Subjects
BIOLOGICAL adaptation ,DISTRIBUTION (Probability theory) ,CORAL reefs & islands ,ECOLOGY ,CLIMATE change ,ACROPORA ,TIME series analysis ,SPATIAL ecology - Abstract
The article focuses on the study that examines how environmental factors drive the distribution of Symbiodinium genotypes. It cites that researchers use time series environmental data in the sampling set of coral hosts across multiple spatial scales and among multiple regions. They surveyed bleaching-susceptible corals in the genus of Acropora which is known as a component of Pacific reefs with species hosting Clades C and D. The researchers assayed clade membership for symbionts of Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora cytherea from American Samoa, Fiji, Philippines, and Palmyra Atoll. Based on the distribution patterns, they conclude that maximum habitat temperatures can drive local scale adaptation of symbiont populations, while other processes can dominate at the regional area.
- Published
- 2009
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