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Influence of local environmental conditions and bleaching histories on the diversity and distribution ofSymbiodiniumin reef-building corals in Tanzania

Authors :
Matern S. P. Mtolera
Leonard J. Chauka
Georg Steinert
Source :
African Journal of Marine Science. 38:57-64
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
National Inquiry Services Center (NISC), 2016.

Abstract

Pollution, turbidity and coral bleaching history, as well as coral diversity, vary along the Tanzanian coastline. Prior to this study, it was not known whether exposure to such environmental variation might have influenced the diversity and distribution of Symbiodinium along this coastline. Such information can provide insight into whether Tanzanian reef-building corals develop adaptation to current trends of climate change. Here, 10 reef-building coral samples were collected from different reefs along the Tanzanian coast with different micro-environments and bleaching histories. The ITS-2 region of ribosomal DNA was employed in the characterisation of Symbiodinium harboured by reef-building corals. DGGE fingerprints and DNA sequences showed that most coral species host a single Symbiodinium type, which is maintained throughout the coast regardless of local environmental differences. We present polymorphic symbioses in Acropora spp., Millepora sp. and Galaxea fascicularis in mainly turbid and warm environ...

Details

ISSN :
18142338 and 1814232X
Volume :
38
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
African Journal of Marine Science
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........48ec3bae3b2ba98efe0601f8072be55c
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232x.2015.1123771