Mutualistic damselfish induce higher photosynthetic rates in their host coral

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Nur Garcia-HerreraAmatzia Genin

Abstract

Coral reefs are amongst the most diverse ecosystems on Earth where complex inter-specific interactions are ubiquitous. An example of such interactions is the mutualistic relationship between damselfishes and branching corals in the Northern Red Sea, where the fish use corals as shelter and provide them with nutrients, enhance the flow between their branches, and protect them from predators. By enhancing the flow between the coral branches, the fish ventilate the coral's inner zone, mitigating hypoxic conditions that otherwise develop within that zone during the night. Here, we tested, for the first time, the effects of the damselfish Dascyllus marginatus on photosynthesis and respiration in its host coral Stylophora pistillata Laboratory experiments using an intermittent-flow respirometer showed that the presence of fish between the coral branches under light conditions augmented the coral's photosynthetic rate. No effect on the coral's respiration was found under dark conditions. When a fish was allowed to enter the inner zone of a dead coral skeleton, its respiration was higher than when it was in a live coral. Field observations indicated that damselfish were present between coral branches 18-34% of the time during daylight ...Continue Reading

References

Mar 14, 2001·Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·E A. TitlyanovR van Woesik
Apr 23, 2004·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Göran E Nilsson, Sara Ostlund-Nilsson
May 1, 2007·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Fariba Davoodi, Guy Claireaux
May 16, 2008·Biometrical Journal. Biometrische Zeitschrift·Torsten HothornPeter Westfall
Feb 6, 2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Tali MassDan Tchernov
Oct 14, 2011·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Malik S NaumannChristine Ferrier-Pagès
Apr 24, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Maya KremienAmatzia Genin
May 15, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Christian Wild, Malik S Naumann
Oct 23, 2013·PloS One·Verena SchoepfJustin H Baumann
Jan 1, 1989·Fish Physiology and Biochemistry·J F Steffensen
Sep 7, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Orr H ShapiroRoman Stocker
Sep 23, 2016·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Lauren E NadlerMark I McCormick

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 25, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Dror MalulUri Shavit
Sep 5, 2019·Frontiers in Oncology·Ubaldo E Martinez-OutschoornRamon Bartrons
May 21, 2020·Royal Society Open Science·T J ChaseM O Hoogenboom
Dec 15, 2018·PloS One·T J ChaseM O Hoogenboom
Jul 8, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Camilo M FerreiraIvan Nagelkerken
Dec 5, 2021·Fish Physiology and Biochemistry·Pedro F Almaida-PaganJorge de Costa

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.