Five new coexisting species of copepod crustaceans of the genus Spaniomolgus (Poecilostomatoida: Rhynchomolgidae), symbionts of the stony coral Stylophora pistillata (Scleractinia)

Conradi, Mercedes; Bandera, Eugenia; Mudrova, Sofya V.; Ivanenko, Viatcheslav N.

doi:10.3897/zookeys.791.28775

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Our observation of the dissolution of all copepod exuviae during the DNA extraction process suggests a potential weakening of the chitinous layer in these copepods. This finding deviates from expected results based on previous studies that successfully conserved copepod exoskeletons (Conradi et al, 2018;Ivanenko et al, 2018;Shelyakin et al, 2018). Possible explanations for this phenomenon include a thinned chitin exoskeleton, characteristic of endoparasitic adaptations, or an altered chemical composition of the exoskeleton in Lamippidae copepods.…”

Section: Morphological Examination Of Copepod Specimenscontrasting

confidence: 99%

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Korzhavina,

Nikitin,

Hoeksema

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The recent rise in ocean temperatures, accompanied by other environmental changes, has notably increased the occurrence and spread of diseases in Octocorallia, of which many species are integral to shallow tropical and subtropical coral reef ecosystems. This study focuses on the understanding of these diseases, which has been largely limited to symptomatic descriptions, with clear etiological factors identified in only a fraction of cases. A key example is the multifocal purple spots syndrome (MPSS) affecting the common Caribbean octocoral sea fan Gorgonia ventalina, linked to the gall-forming copepods of the genus Sphaerippe, a member of the widespread family Lamippidae. The specialized nature of these copepods as endoparasites in octocorals suggests the potential for the discovery of similar diseases across this host spectrum. Our investigation employed four molecular markers to study disease hotspots in Saint Eustatius, Curaçao, northwest and southwest Cuba, and Bonaire. This led to the discovery of a group of copepod species in these varied Caribbean locations. Importantly, these species are morphologically indistinguishable through traditional methods, challenging established taxonomic approaches. The observed diversity of symbionts, despite the host species' genetic uniformity, is likely due to variations in larval dispersal mechanisms. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the Lamippidae copepods belong to the order Poecilostomatoida (Copepoda) and revealed their sister group relationship with the Anchimolgidae, Rhynchomolgidae, and Xarifiidae clades, known for their symbiotic relationships with scleractinian corals. These results add to our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological interactions of copepods and their hosts, and the diseases they cause, important data in a changing climate.

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Section: Morphological Examination Of Copepod Specimenscontrasting

confidence: 99%

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Korzhavina,

Nikitin,

Hoeksema

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Our observation of the dissolution of all copepod exuviae during the DNA extraction process suggests a potential weakening of the chitinous layer in these copepods. This finding deviates from the expected results based on previous studies that successfully conserved copepod exoskeletons [25,48,49]. Possible explanations for this phenomenon include a thinned chitin exoskeleton, characteristic of endoparasitic adaptations, or an altered chemical composition of the exoskeleton in Lamippidae copepods.…”

Section: Morphological Examination Of Copepod Specimenscontrasting

confidence: 98%

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Korzhavina,

Nikitin,

Hoeksema

et al. 2024

Diversity

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The recent rise in ocean temperatures, accompanied by other environmental changes, has notably increased the occurrence and spread of diseases in Octocorallia, many species of which are integral to shallow tropical and subtropical coral reef ecosystems. This study focuses on the understanding of these diseases, which has been largely limited to symptomatic descriptions, with clear etiological factors identified in only a fraction of cases. A key example is the multifocal purple spots syndrome (MFPS) affecting the common Caribbean octocoral sea fan Gorgonia ventalina, linked to the gall-forming copepods of the genus Sphaerippe, a member of the widespread family, Lamippidae. The specialized nature of these copepods as endoparasites in octocorals suggests the potential for the discovery of similar diseases across this host spectrum. Our investigation employed four molecular markers to study disease hotspots in Saint Eustatius, Curaçao, northwest and southwest Cuba, and Bonaire. This led to the discovery of a group of copepod species in these varied Caribbean locations. Importantly, these species are morphologically indistinguishable through traditional methods, challenging established taxonomic approaches. The observed diversity of symbionts, despite the host species’ genetic uniformity, is likely due to variations in larval dispersal mechanisms. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the Lamippidae copepods belong to the order, Poecilostomatoida (Copepoda), and revealed their sister group relationship with the Anchimolgidae, Rhynchomolgidae, and Xarifiidae clades, known for their symbiotic relationships with scleractinian corals. These results add to our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological interactions of copepods and their hosts, and the diseases that they cause, and are important data in a changing climate.

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“…In particular, the percentage cover of turf algae and hard corals played an important role on species diversity patterns. Indeed, turf algae harbors high diverse and abundant assemblages [ 109 ] and hard corals shelter unique parasitic, commensal, and symbiotic associated cryptic fauna [ 47 , 110 , 111 ]. We found a threshold of 23% of coral cover and 11% of turf algae cover for the cryptobiome diversity, with higher number of OTUs below these thresholds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are also records of host-specificity, such as the case of crustaceans of the families Trapeziidae, Tetraliidae, Pontoniinae, and Alpheidae, known as symbionts or parasites of some corals or sponges [44][45][46]. In the Red Sea, several species of copepods of the genus Spaniomolgus are also known to inhabit shallow-water stony corals [47]. Species using habitats in proximity to artificial reef structures are likely to colonize the vacant surfaces [48], and even though the composition and structure of artificial and natural reefs may differ [49], the characteristics of the nearby habitat will most likely play a critical role on establishing assemblages [50].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of the coral reef cryptobiome to environmental gradients in the Red Sea

Villalobos,

Aylagas,

Ellis

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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An essential component of the coral reef animal diversity is the species hidden in crevices within the reef matrix, referred to as the cryptobiome. These organisms play an important role in nutrient cycling and provide an abundant food source for higher trophic levels, yet they have been largely overlooked. Here, we analyzed the distribution patterns of the mobile cryptobiome (>2000 μm) along the latitudinal gradient of the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea. Analysis was conducted based on 54 Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures. We retrieved a total of 5273 organisms, from which 2583 DNA sequences from the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I were generated through sanger sequencing. We found that the cryptobiome community is variable over short geographical distances within the basin. Regression tree models identified sea surface temperature (SST), percentage cover of hard coral and turf algae as determinant for the number of operational taxonomic units present per Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS). Our results also show that the community structure of the cryptobiome is associated with the energy available (measured as photosynthetic active radiation), sea surface temperature, and nearby reef habitat characteristics (namely hard corals, turf and macroalgae). Given that temperature and reef benthic characteristics affect the cryptobiome, current scenarios of intensive climate change are likely to modify this fundamental biological component of coral reef functioning. However, the trajectory of change is unknow and can be site specific, as for example, diversity is expected to increase above SST of 28.5°C, and with decreasing hard coral and turf cover. This study provides a baseline of the cryptobenthic community prior to major coastal developments in the Red Sea to be used for future biodiversity studies and monitoring projects. It can also contribute to better understand patterns of reef biodiversity in a period where Marine Protected Areas are being discussed in the region.

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Five new coexisting species of copepod crustaceans of the genus Spaniomolgus (Poecilostomatoida: Rhynchomolgidae), symbionts of the stony coral Stylophora pistillata (Scleractinia)

Cited by 8 publications

References 23 publications

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Tracing Geographic and Molecular Footprints of Copepod Crustaceans Causing Multifocal Purple Spots Syndrome in the Caribbean Sea Fan Gorgonia ventalina

Responses of the coral reef cryptobiome to environmental gradients in the Red Sea

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