Suchergebnisse

Abstract Background The process of calcium carbonate biomineralization has arisen multiple times during metazoan evolution. In the phylum Cnidaria, biomineralization has mostly been studied in the subclass Hexacorallia (i.e. stony corals) in comparison to the subclass Octocorallia (i.e. red corals); the two diverged approximately 600 million years ago. The precious Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, is an octocorallian species, which produces two distinct high-magnesium calcite biominerals, the axial skeleton and the sclerites. In order to gain insight into the red coral biomineralization process and cnidarian biomineralization evolution, we studied the protein repertoire forming the organic matrix (OM) of its two biominerals. Results We combined High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and transcriptome analysis to study the OM composition of the axial skeleton and the sclerites. We identified a total of 102 OM proteins, 52 are found in the two red coral biominerals with scleritin being the most abundant protein in each fraction. Contrary to reef building corals, the red coral organic matrix possesses a large number of collagen-like proteins. Agrin-like glycoproteins and proteins with sugar-binding domains are also predominant. Twenty-seven and 23 proteins were uniquely assigned to the axial skeleton and the sclerites, respectively. The inferred regulatory function of these OM proteins suggests that the difference between the two biominerals is due to the modeling of the matrix network, rather than the presence of specific structural components. At least one OM component could have been horizontally transferred from prokaryotes early during Octocorallia evolution. Conclusion Our results suggest that calcification of the red coral axial skeleton likely represents a secondary calcification of an ancestral gorgonian horny axis. In addition, the comparison with stony coral skeletomes highlighted the low proportion of similar proteins between the biomineral OMs of hexacorallian and octocorallian corals, suggesting an independent acquisition of calcification in anthozoans. ; The authors gratefully thank Anne Haguenauer and Dr. Didier Aurelle from the IMBE/Marseille for the C. rubrum sampling. We would like to thank M. François Rougaignon, President of the Fondation Paul Hamel for his confiance and support. We gratefully thank the reviewers for their constructive analysis of our work that significantly helped to improve this manuscript. ; This work was supported by Postdoctoral funding of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (n°500/685229; Government of Principality of Monaco). Proteomic analysis was supported by the Centre Scientifique de Monaco research program, funded by the Government of Principality of Monaco, and the C. rubrum genome and transcriptome analyses were supported by the Fondation Paul HAMEL.

15 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, supplementary material https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.633057/full#supplementary-material.-- Data Availability Statement:The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author/s ; Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one of the most efficient conservation tools to buffer marine biodiversity loss induced by human activities. Beside effective enforcement, an accurate understanding of the eco-evolutionary processes underlying the patterns of biodiversity is needed to reap the benefits of management policies. In this context, integrating population genetics with demographic data, the demo-genetic approach, is particularly relevant to shift from a "species-based pattern" toward an "eco-evolutionary-based processes" conservation. Here, targeting a key species in the Mediterranean coralligenous, the red coral, Corallium rubrum, in an emblematic Mediterranean MPA, the "Réserve Naturelle de Scandola" (France), we applied demo-genetic approaches at two contrasted spatial scales, among populations and within one population, to (i) infer the demographic connectivity among populations in the metapopulation network and (ii) shed new light on the genetic connectivity and on the demographic transitions underlying the dynamics of a near-pristine population. Integrating different spatial and temporal scales, we demonstrated (i) an apparent temporal stability in the pattern of genetic diversity and structure in the MPA in spite of a dramatic demographic decline and (ii) contrasted levels of genetic isolation but substantial demographic connectivity among populations. Focusing on the near-pristine population, we complemented the characterization of red coral demographic connectivity suggesting (iii) temporal variability and (iv) the occurrence of collective dispersal. In addition, we demonstrated (v) contrasted patterns of spatial genetic structure (SGS), depending on the considered stage-class (adults vs. juveniles), in the near-pristine population. This last result points out that the overall SGS resulted from a restricted dispersal of locally produced juveniles (SGS among adults and juveniles) combined to mortality during early life stages (decrease of SGS from juveniles to adults). Demonstrating the occurrence of two management units and the importance of two populations (CAVB and ALE) for the network of connectivity, we made recommendations for the management of the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola. Besides, we contributed to the implementation of scientifically driven restoration protocols in red coral by providing estimates for the size, density, and distances among patches of transplanted colonies ; This research was supported by the Strategic Funding UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 through national funds provided by the FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the program PT2020, the Spanish MINECO (CGL2012-32194), the TOTAL Foundation PERFECT project, the MIMOSA project funded by the foundation Prince Albert II de Monaco, and the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement N° 689518 (MERCES). [.] J-BL was funded by an assistant researcher contract framework of the RD Unit—UID/Multi/04423/2019 – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE2020 – Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) and national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). Genotyping was performed at the Genome Transcriptome Facility of Bordeaux (grants from the Conseil Régional d'Aquitaine n 20030304002FA and 20040305003FA, from the European Union FEDER n 2003227 and from Investissements d'Avenir ANR-10-EQPX-16-01). This work acknowledges the "Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence" accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S). We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI) ; Peer reviewed

The Red Sea is a unique body of water, hosting some of the most productive and diverse coral reefs. Human populations along coasts of the Red Sea were initially sparse due to the hot and arid climate surrounding it, but this is changing with improved desalination techniques, accessible energy, and increased economic interest in coastal areas. In addition to increasing pressure on reefs from coastal development, global drivers, primarily ocean acidification and seawater warming, are threatening coral reefs of the region. While reefs in southern sections of the Red Sea live near or above their maximum temperature tolerance and have experienced bleaching events in the recent past, coral reefs in northern sections are considered a coral reef refugia from global warming and acidification, at least for the coming decades. Such differential sensitivities along the latitudinal gradient of the Red Sea require differential solutions and management. In an effort to identify the appropriate solutions to conserve and maintain resilience of these reefs along a latitudinal gradient, we used a SWOT analysis (strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats) to frame the present situation and to propose policy solutions as useful planning procedures. We highlight the need for immediate action to secure the northern sections of the Red Sea as a coral reef climate change refuge by management and removal of local stressors. There is a need to strengthen the scientific knowledge base for proper management and to encourage regional collaboration on environmental issues. Based on scientific data, solutions such as marine protected areas, fishing regulation, and reef restoration approaches were ranked for five distinct latitudinal sections in the Red Sea and levels of interventions are recommended. ; This article is a product of the 4th International Workshop "Bridging the Gap between Ocean Acidification Impacts and Economic Valuation - From Science to Solutions: Ocean Acidification on Ecosystem services, Case studies on coral reefs" held in Monaco from October 15 to 17, 2017. The authors would like to thank the Government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II Foundation, the IAEA Environment Laboratories, the French Ministry for the Ecological and Solidary Transition, the Oceanographic Institute — Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, the Monegasque Water Company and the Monegasque Association on Ocean Acidification (AMAO), and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco for organizing and/or financing the workshop. We thank Ute Langner for assistance with ArcGIS map generation (Fig. 3). UL and CRV are supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia .

Drawing on a handful of in-depth interviews with coral scientists, this essay considers two Red Sea stories, the first about oil flow and the second about coral enclosure. These stories demonstrate the varying, at times contradictory, dimensions of flow, underlining its relational significance and how it can only be understood within a particular spatial and temporal context. While the flow of oil is typically seen as positive for global commerce, when viewing it from a climate justice perspective, the value of flow is flipped on its head, turning chokepoints into the positive nodes in the network. The movement or enclosure of Red Sea corals illustrates how climate emergency terraforms political and economic landscapes and the layered complexities that underscore the attempts to govern environmental degradation. At the end of the day, then, the Red Sea brings to bear the complex relationality of governing more-than-human flow at a time of climate changes.

Coral reefs are considered as one of the most spectacular marine ecosystems on earth. They are characterised by a tremendous biodiversity and, in many places like the Red Sea, by a high level of endemism.Coral reefs need our attention because of the importance of their biodiversity and their key role in the tropical marine biosphere. But coral reefs are also very valuable as a socio-economic resource. As coral reefs are main fishing grounds and attractors of large numbers of tourists, they generate important contributions to the national income of many developing countries.Despite these natural and socio-economic advantages, many threats are posing stress on coral reefs. A few examples are: extreme pressure from tourism (anchoring damage, coral collection), irresponsible and illegal coastal development, marine and land-based pollution and, on another level, the 'Global Change'-issue.Remote sensing from satellites can help to collect information about coral reefs in order to get a better knowledge of their current status. Some satellite sensors are especially developed for marine applications, such as the SeaWiFS-, CZCS- or MODIS-sensor. Others are not but can still be useful, for example Landsat (MSS, TM or ETM+), SPOT or ASTER. All these sensors detect visual light. The blue-green range in the visual spectrum is the most important. In optimal conditions, clear calm water, information of objects up to a depth of 25-30m can be gathered. The newest evolution in marine remote sensing applications is tending to use hyperspectral airborne data and very-high-resolution images, such as IKONOS or Quickbird.The main advantages of using satellite images, in comparison with traditional 'on the spot' survey methods, are the possibilities to work on a multi-temporal basis and over extended areas. Remote sensing offers the opportunity to gather information over vast areas compared to traditional survey methods where only limited spatially distributed information can be collected. It is also possible to follow up the situation more cost effective in a temporal manner. In that way, remote sensing data is very useful for setting up monitoring programs for distant or intensively used coral reef areas. But of course with the constraint of limited depth penetration, gradually increasing with higher turbidity.Remote sensing techniques can be used to derive information about the location of the coral reefs (X-, Y- and Z-coordinates), their structure, their composition and their condition. Secondly, remote sensing can also contribute in monitoring the physical, chemical and/or ecological conditions of the Red Sea.These remote sensing based results combined with additional information concerning the coral reefs in the Red Sea, information on the conditions in the Red Sea, natural hazards and threats, possible bleaching events, different human threats posed on the coral reefs, as well as predictions, give us a wide range of thematic maps and databases which can be combined into a 'Coral Reef GIS'. As one of the outcomes, a 'near real time' risk map can be created which marks the localisation of the reefs in the Red Sea that are under potential stress due to the changing conditions. These maps and others can be used for immediate actions or as a back up for coastal planning, by government, coastal developers, environmentalists or other decision makers.

Part I: Introduction -- 1. Mesophotic coral ecosystems: Introduction and Overview -- Part II: Regional Variation in Mesophotic Corarl Ecosystems -- 2. Bermuda -- 3. The Bahamas and Cayman Islands -- 4. Pulley Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, U.S.A. -- 5. The Mesoamerican Reef -- 6. Discovery Bay, Jamaica -- 7. Puerto Rico -- 8. The United States Virgin Islands -- 9. Bonaire and Curaçao -- 10. Brazil -- 11. The Red Sea -- 12. The Chagos Archipelago -- 13. Ryukyus Islands, Japan -- 14. Taiwan -- 15. The Philippines -- 16. Palau -- 17. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia -- 18. Papua New Guinea -- 19. North West Australia -- 20. The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea -- 21. Fiji. -22. American Samoa. -23. Cook Islands -- 24. French Polynesia -- 25. The Hawaiian Archipelago -- 26. Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, Eastern Tropical Pacific -- 27. Chile and Salas y Gómez Ridge -- Part III: Environments, Biodiversity, and Ecology of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. - 28. The mesophotic coral microbial biosphere -- 29. Macroalgae -- 30. Symbiodinium genetic diversity and symbiosis with hosts from shallow to mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 31. Large benthic foraminifera in low-light environments -- 32. Sponges -- 33. Biodiversity of reef‐building, scleractinian corals -- 34. Reef‐building corals of the upper mesophotic zone of the central Indo‐west -- Pacific -- 35. Sexual reproduction of scleractinian corals in mesophotic coral ecosystems vs. shallow reefs. -36. Coral sclerochronology: similarities and differences in the coral isotopic signatures between mesophotic and shallow reefs -- 37. Antipatharians of the mesophotic zone: four case studies -- 38. Octocorals of the Indo‐Pacific -- 39. Gorgonian corals -- 40. Fishes: Biodiversity -- 41. Disease problems -- 42. Light, temperature, photosynthesis, heterotrophy, and the lower depth -- limits of mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 43. Bioerosion -- 44. Geology and geomorphology -- Part IV: Are Shallow and Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Connected? -- 45. Beyond the 'deep reef refuge' hypothesis: a conceptual framework to characterize persistence at depth -- 46. Coral ecosystem connectivity between Pulley Ridge and the Florida Keys -- Part V: Conservation, Management, and Threats to Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems -- 47. Disturbance in mesophotic coral ecosystems nd linkages to conservation and management -- 48. Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles ): distribution, impact, and Management -- 49. Ecosystem Services of mesophotic coral reefs and a call for better accounting -- Part VI: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Research: Technologies and Future Directions -- 50. Advanced Technical Diving -- 51. Underwater robotic technology for imaging mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 52. Key questions for research and conservation of mesophotic coral ecosystems and temperate mesophotic ecosystems

Part I: Introduction -- 1. Mesophotic coral ecosystems: Introduction and Overview -- Part II: Regional Variation in Mesophotic Corarl Ecosystems -- 2. Bermuda -- 3. The Bahamas and Cayman Islands -- 4. Pulley Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, U.S.A. -- 5. The Mesoamerican Reef -- 6. Discovery Bay, Jamaica -- 7. Puerto Rico -- 8. The United States Virgin Islands -- 9. Bonaire and Curaçao -- 10. Brazil -- 11. The Red Sea -- 12. The Chagos Archipelago -- 13. Ryukyus Islands, Japan -- 14. Taiwan -- 15. The Philippines -- 16. Palau -- 17. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia -- 18. Papua New Guinea -- 19. North West Australia -- 20. The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea -- 21. Fiji. -22. American Samoa. -23. Cook Islands -- 24. French Polynesia -- 25. The Hawaiian Archipelago -- 26. Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, Eastern Tropical Pacific -- 27. Chile and Salas y Gómez Ridge -- Part III: Environments, Biodiversity, and Ecology of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. - 28. The mesophotic coral microbial biosphere -- 29. Macroalgae -- 30. Symbiodinium genetic diversity and symbiosis with hosts from shallow to mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 31. Large benthic foraminifera in low-light environments -- 32. Sponges -- 33. Biodiversity of reef‐building, scleractinian corals -- 34. Reef‐building corals of the upper mesophotic zone of the central Indo‐west -- Pacific -- 35. Sexual reproduction of scleractinian corals in mesophotic coral ecosystems vs. shallow reefs. -36. Coral sclerochronology: similarities and differences in the coral isotopic signatures between mesophotic and shallow reefs -- 37. Antipatharians of the mesophotic zone: four case studies -- 38. Octocorals of the Indo‐Pacific -- 39. Gorgonian corals -- 40. Fishes: Biodiversity -- 41. Disease problems -- 42. Light, temperature, photosynthesis, heterotrophy, and the lower depth -- limits of mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 43. Bioerosion -- 44. Geology and geomorphology -- Part IV: Are Shallow and Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Connected? -- 45. Beyond the 'deep reef refuge' hypothesis: a conceptual framework to characterize persistence at depth -- 46. Coral ecosystem connectivity between Pulley Ridge and the Florida Keys -- Part V: Conservation, Management, and Threats to Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems -- 47. Disturbance in mesophotic coral ecosystems nd linkages to conservation and management -- 48. Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles ): distribution, impact, and Management -- 49. Ecosystem Services of mesophotic coral reefs and a call for better accounting -- Part VI: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Research: Technologies and Future Directions -- 50. Advanced Technical Diving -- 51. Underwater robotic technology for imaging mesophotic coral ecosystems -- 52. Key questions for research and conservation of mesophotic coral ecosystems and temperate mesophotic ecosystems

Coral reefs constitute the most spectacular and diverse ecosystems in the marine environment. They form reservoirs of the highest biological diversity, including genetic resources and bio-active compounds. Unfortunately, coral reefs are also among the most heavily degraded marine ecosystems. Over the last two decades, coral reef communities have been experiencing increasingly stressful conditions due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic detrimental factors. Coral diseases are among the most recent in a series of threats (e.g. coral bleaching, over exploitation of fish stocks, destructive fishing practices and coastal developments) that is challenging the resilience of coral reef communities. During an international meeting on coral diseases held in Eilat, Israel, in 2003, leading scientists presented reviews and recent results of laboratory research and in situ observations in order to assess the status of coral health and to understand the disease mechanisms. The most relevant papers are now presented in Coral Health and Disease. The book starts with several case studies of reefs, which strongly differ regionally, e.g. the Red Sea, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, Japan, western Indian Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef. The second part on microbial ecology and physiology contains contributions describing the symbiotic relations of corals and microbes, the microbial role in nutrition and bleaching resistance and the antibacterial activities of corals. Particular coral diseases, such as aspergillosis, white pox, black, yellow and white band diseases are treated in the third part. Finally, different hypotheses of the mechanisms of coral bleaching, including a projection of the future of coral reefs, are discussed

"This book provides a description of how coral reefs in the Red Sea have flourished and declined over the last 50 years and the reasons behind some of these changes. The study is based on dive surveys of 30 different reef profiles along the Sudanese coast made by the author between 1971 and 1973, on which settled organisms, corals, and fish species were carefully recorded. The ten-year-old structure of Commander Cousteau's Conshelf 2 underwater project provided an opportunity to measure growth rates of individual coral species. A series of field trips to Suakin Harbour, accompanied by renowned ichthyologist Professor J. E. Randall, added to the scope and accuracy of the fish records of that region. These original records, created by experienced divers and drawn in-situ using waterproof paper notepads, have been preserved in their original form and are invaluable historical records of the ecology of Sudanese coral reefs a half century ago. They were made at a time when the crown-of-thorns starfish was considered the greatest threat to the world's coral reefs-before concerns of climate change, coral bleaching, and a host of other threats. They also came at a time of rapid increase in coral reef studies and our understanding of the stresses and strains controlling their development. This book is based on the author's observations of how knowledge and perspectives have changed in the context of the Sudanese Red Sea coral reefs, and lessons learned from historical records that might help maintain and reestablish coral reefs going forward"--

This article analyses three different cases of assisted marine restoration in Europe to understand how governance and legal aspects enable or constrain marine restoration in practice. The aim of this article is to enhance understanding of the enabling and constraining conditions of the governance of marine ecological restoration. To understand the governance of marine restoration, we use the concepts of governance arrangement and institutionalization. A marine restoration governance arrangement consists of different coalitions of public and private actors, who—through their different ways of conceptualizing and understanding the problem (discourses)—try to influence and design the marine restoration activities and initiatives, the managing of often shared, limited resources, and defining rules of the game (on different levels). Institutionalization refers to the production and reproduction of governance arrangements. This article gives insight in the governance arrangements of three cases: artificial habitat as in the Rigs‐to‐Reefs debate, in the context of North Sea oil and gas decommissioning, and restoration of key sedimentary and hard natural habitats of the fan mussel (Pinna nobilis) and red coral (Corallium rubrum) cases in the Mediterranean. The analysis shows how discourses shape the arrangements that currently govern the decommissioning of obsolete oil and gas structures in the North Sea, and the protection and management of two emblematic and endangered species in the Mediterranean. Based on the analysis we formulated enabling and constraining conditions for the institutionalization of "active restoration" governance arrangements, resulting in recommendations for how to strengthen restoration in policies and legislation. ; This article analyses three different cases of assisted marine restoration in Europe to understand how governance and legal aspects enable or constrain marine restoration in practice. The aim of this article is to enhance understanding of the enabling and constraining conditions of ...

An illustrated look at corals from around the world. Corals are among the most varied lifeforms on Earth, ranging from mushroom corals and leather corals to button polyps, sea fans, anemones, and pulse corals. Bridging the gap between plant and animal, these marine invertebrates serve as homes to reef fish and share symbiotic relationships with photosynthesizing algae, which provide corals with their nourishment. This stunningly illustrated book profiles the astonishing diversity of the world's coral groups, describing key aspects of their natural history and explaining why coral reefs are critical to the health of our oceans. Representative examples of corals have been selected to illustrate the broad range of species, and the book's lively and informative commentary covers everything from identification to conservation, making it an essential resource for marine biologists, divers, and anyone who is fascinated by these remarkable sea creatures. Features more than 200 exquisite color photos; highlights key aspects of corals and their natural history; features representative examples from around the world; and includes photos of rare and unusual species