Regulation of Bacterial Metabolic Activities and Community Composition by Temperature in a Fringing Coral Reef

Abstract

Coral reefs are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on the biosphere, with gross primary production rates ranging from 256 to 1,696 mmol C m −2 day −1 , comparable to that of tropical rain forests (Silveira et al., 2017). In contrast to open and coastal oceans where phytoplankton is generally the major local producer of organic matter (Opsahl & Benner, 1997), high gross primary production in coral reef ecosystems mostly results from the benthic organisms, including corals, coral-associated symbiotic zooxanthellae, turfs, and macroalgae (Cardini et al., 2016). These reef benthic organisms release organic matter, a heterogeneous mixture of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, to sustain high production of coral reefs (Ducklow & Mitchell, 1979;Haas & Wild, 2010). Growing evidence suggests that organic matter derived from reef benthic organisms is highly bioavailable to sustain the diverse and rich bacteria (Haas et al., 2016;Rohwer et al., 2002). Meanwhile, bacterial abundance (BA) in the coral reefs is generally higher than the surrounding pristine seawater owing to labile organic matter originating from reef benthos (Nakajima et al., 2013;Torréton & Dufour, 1996).

Phaeocystis globosa and diatom blooms promote distinct bacterial communities and associations in a coastal ecosystem

“…This seasonality was further supported by examining the dynamics at the genus level. For example, Candidatus Actinomarina (Actinomatinaceae), which thrives in cold and nutrient‐rich waters, displayed a preference for winter‐autumn seasons (Chafee et al, 2018 ; Hu et al, 2022 ; López‐Pérez et al, 2020 ; Table 1 ). In winter, phytoplankton communities were dominated by diverse diatoms (Figure S4 ), favoured by high nutrient concentrations and wind‐driven turbulence (e.g., Breton et al, 2021 ; Schapira et al, 2008 ).…”

Diversity of Culturable Bacteria from the Coral Reef Areas in the South China Sea and Their Agar-Degrading Abilities

“…Coral mucus, released by reef-building organisms, usually serves as a suitable growth substrate for heterotrophic bacteria in seawater, harboring an abundant microbial community with a consequent increase in carbon flux [ 4 ]. The majority of bacteria that have been found in association with corals are heterotrophic, which usually play a crucial and complicated function in sustaining homeostasis and promoting carbon cycling between corals and symbiotic bacteria [ 5 ]. The microbial populations in coral reef ecosystems can be altered as a result of environmental perturbations.…”