Tubastraea Coccinea Research Articles

Eleven years of range expansion of two invasive corals (Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis) through the southwest Atlantic (Brazil)

We report on the temporal and spatial changes in populations of the invasive corals Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis over an eleven year period at the Ilha Grande Bay, tropical southwest Atlantic. A semi-quantitative method was used to investigate the geographical distribution of the two congeners on subtidal rocky reefs along 350 km of coastline by applying a relative abundance index (RAI) to quantify change. Data were compared among 2000, 2004, 2010 and 2011. The indices showed a transition from rarity to dominance throughout the region as well as range expansion; in contrast at one site, where a pilot management initiative of manual control has been carried out, there was a reduction in abundance over time. Abundance values were compared to distance from possible points of introduction to pinpoint where the initial introduction occurred. The observed relationship between the possible points of entry and abundance of the two Tubastraea species was highly significant for the achorage and oil terminal whereas somewhat less so for the shipyard and port. The data obtained in this study are being used to plan further urgent management actions to control the biological invasion of the two Tubastraea species throughout the region, as well as being applied in modeling the range expansion into other regions.

The Invasive Coral Tubastraea coccinea (Lesson, 1829): Implications for Natural Habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys

The Invasive Coral Tubastraea coccinea (Lesson, 1829): Implications for Natural Habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys

Coral Settlement on Oil/Gas Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Preliminary Evidence of Rarity

In recent decades, there have been two areas of shallow hard substrate available for zooxanthellate coral colonization in the North Gulf of Mexico: the Flower Garden Banks (FGB) and oil and gas platforms. We assessed coral recruitment on platforms possessing adult corals around the FGB. In this preliminary experiment, we used terra cotta plates mounted on racks, deployed on six platforms at depths of 15–27 m for a duration of ≤1 yr in two consecutive years. Data on coral spat taxonomic identification, distribution, and densities were collected. Platform spat densities on plates averaged <1/450 cm2, a low value when compared with the East-FGB (E-FGB; data from earlier similar experiment), other Caribbean sites, or the Great Barrier Reef. Spat density was not significantly different between platforms, suggesting that distance between the platforms and the E-FGB, a potential larval source, was large enough (>0.6–1.2 km) to permit extensive larval diffusion. Total spat density also did not vary significantly between settlement racks, indicating that settlement at the spatial scale of meters was relatively homogeneous. Only three species of spat were found—Tubastraea coccinea, Madracis decactis, and Montastraea sp.; the taxonomic composition of coral spat varied from those observed earlier on the E-FGB—Agaricia and Porites. The dominant recruits matched the dominant adults on the platforms— an unusual situation. Tubastraea and Madracis spat densities, respectively, did not vary significantly between platforms or between racks. Because of low recruitment levels, these artificial reef communities may be considered fragile in comparison to many natural ones because of the time required for recovery in the event of a mass coral mortality. These low recruitment levels, however, when integrated over ~30 yr, can result in the successful establishment of adult coral communities on the platforms.

Uneven abundance of the invasive sun coral over habitat patches of different orientation: An outcome of larval or later benthic processes?

Larval behavior in the water column and preference among natural benthic habitats are known to determine initial spatial distribution patterns in several sessile marine invertebrates. Such larval attributes can be adaptive, promoting adult benthic distributions which maximize their fitness. Further benthic processes may, however, substantially change initial distribution of settlers. In this study, we first characterized spatial distributions of adult colonies and single-polyp recruits of the invasive azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea over substrates of different orientation, and evaluated their consistency at both small (several tens of meters) and intermediate (a few km) spatial scales. We then assessed, through field and laboratory experiments, larval preferences and relative settlement and recruitment rates on surfaces with different orientations to determine whether processes taking place during the larval and early post-larval stages could help explain the distribution patterns of recruits and adult colonies. Results suggest that larval passive buoyancy and active larval behavior, unrelated to light conditions, determine a clear settlement distribution pattern, in which the density of settlers is highest at undersurfaces and almost nil at upward facing horizontal substrates. Except for an almost absence of settlers, recruits and adult individuals on upward facing horizontal habitat, there is substantial mismatch between the distribution of settlers and that of recruits and adult colonies. The latter were also common in vertical substrate in the field. We speculate that coastal runoff at the study area and subsequent sedimentation may inhibit coral development on flat upward facing habitat, and that competitive interference and pre-emptive interactions with other azooxanthellate corals could constrain abundance of T. coccinea in underface horizontal habitat.

Comparison of metal accumulation in the azooxanthellate scleractinian coral (Tubastraea coccinea) from different polluted environments

The response of metal accumulation in coral Tubastraea coccinea to various degrees of metal enrichment was investigated from the Yin-Yang Sea (YYS) receiving abandoned mining effluents, the Kueishan Islet (KI) hydrothermal vent field, and the nearshore area of remoted Green Island (GI). The concentrations of most dissolved metals were highest in seawater at YYS, followed by KI, and then GI, showing the effects of anthropogenic and venting inputs on metal levels. Five metals (Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) yielded significant differences (p<0.05) among the skeleton samples. We identified similar patterns in the metal–Ca ratios, indicating that the elevated metals in skeletons was a consequence of external inputs. The coral tissues were relatively sensitive in monitoring metal accumulation, showing significant differences among three locations for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn. Specific bioconcentration factors provided strong support for the differential metal accumulation in skeletons and tissues.

Depth distribution of a new invasive coral (Gulf of Mexico) – Tubastraea micranthus, comparisons with T. coccinea, and implications for control

The Indo-Pacific coral Tubastraea micranthus recently invaded a region near the Mississippi River mouth, Gulf of Mexico, and its populations have been expanding. Its congener, Tubastraea coccinea, invaded during the 1940s and is now common in the western Atlantic. Accessibility is important in determining whether an invasive species can be controlled/eradicated. In the marine environment, depth limits accessibility. We assessed the depth distribution of T. micranthus and T. coccinea on 15 oil/gas platforms using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Pooled data indicated that T. micranthus extends to 138 m and probably deeper, while T. coccinea is generally limited to 138 m. Tubastraea coccinea were limited to shallow waters on all platforms. Detailed depth distribution patterns varied significantly between analyses using density and percent-cover data, with density probably indicating colonization rates, and percent-cover colony growth. Depth limitation by T. coccinea may be associated with food availability rather than light since it is azooxanthellate. The occurrence of T. micranthus in deep water will most likely make any control or eradication efforts difficult, due to cost and a rapid rate of population expansion.

Cost–benefit of different methods for monitoring invasive corals on tropical rocky reefs in the southwest Atlantic

Biological invasions need to be efficiently monitored in order to detect change in invader abundance and the modification of receptor communities so that management options can be effectively applied. We compared four methods, visual census (VC), photo-quadrats of 50×50cm (PHOT50), mosaic of photo-quadrats of 25×25cm (PHOTS25) and video-quadrats (VIDEO), to determine 1) the percent cover of the most abundant taxa in reef communities undergoing invasion by the corals Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis and 2) direct counts of the invasive species for density estimates per unit area. The study was carried out on eight islands in the Tamoios Ecological Station Marine Protected Area, Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil. The digital methods did not differentiate some T. coccinea from T. tagusensis and both Tubastraea densities were higher in the VC method, followed by PHOTS25, PHOT50 and VIDEO. An ANOSIM indicated differences among sampled communities but not between the methodologies. The richness, diversity and evenness indices did not differ significantly between the methods for the different benthic communities investigated. In the field, the VC was slower and PHOT50 was faster; however, in the laboratory VC was faster and PHOTS25 was slower. Overall the VC method was quickest, followed by PHOT50, VIDEO and PHOTS25. The overall cost was highest in PHOTS25 method, followed by the VC, VIDEO and PHOT50. VC had the best cost-to-benefit ratio and digital methods were not reliable for estimating the densities of corals.

Coral feeding on microalgae assessed with molecular trophic markers

Herbivory in corals, especially for symbiotic species, remains controversial. To investigate the capacity of scleractinian and soft corals to capture microalgae, we conducted controlled laboratory experiments offering five algal species: the cryptophyte Rhodomonas marina, the haptophytes Isochrysis galbana and Phaeocystis globosa, and the diatoms Conticribra weissflogii and Thalassiosira pseudonana. Coral species included the symbiotic soft corals Heteroxenia fuscescens and Sinularia flexibilis, the asymbiotic scleractinian coral Tubastrea coccinea, and the symbiotic scleractinian corals Stylophora pistillata, Pavona cactus and Oculina arbuscula. Herbivory was assessed by end-point PCR amplification of algae-specific 18S rRNA gene fragments purified from coral tissue genomic DNA extracts. The ability to capture microalgae varied with coral and algal species and could not be explained by prey size or taxonomy. Herbivory was not detected in S.flexibilis and S.pistillata. P.globosa was the only algal prey that was never captured by any coral. Although predation defence mechanisms have been shown for Phaeocystis spp. against many potential predators, this study is the first to suggest this for corals. This study provides new insights into herbivory in symbiotic corals and suggests that corals may be selective herbivorous feeders.

Antagonism between invasive pest corals Tubastraea spp. and the native reef-builder Mussismilia hispida in the southwest Atlantic

The biological invasion of the scleractinian corals Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis into the Atlantic has resulted in their juxtaposition with native reef corals. We used microcosm and field experiments to investigate and separate the effects of chemical vs. physical mechanisms potentially responsible for observed antagonistic interactions between the invasive corals and the endemic (southwest Atlantic) reef-building coral Mussismilia hispida. In the short term microcosm experiment M. hispida extruded a substantial amount of mesenterial filaments in an aggressive response to proximity to both invasive species within a few hours. However, in the field only the native coral suffered necrosis, which was visible after only four days. The use of physical barriers to separate chemical and physical effects demonstrated that antagonistic effects were far greater in the absence of a physical barrier than in the partial or complete barrier treatments, so although there is evidence that these invasive corals may produce allelochemicals against possible competitors we demonstrated that the main mechanism Tubastraea spp uses to exclude the native coral species is principally a rapid physical response.

Coral communities on artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico: standing vs. toppled oil platforms

Abstract Sammarco, P. W., Lirette, A., Tung, Y. F., Boland, G. S., Genazzio, M., and Sinclair, J. 2014. Coral communities on artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico: standing vs. toppled oil platforms. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 417–426. Thousands of oil platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico have provided hard substrate for settlement of Caribbean corals and have facilitated their range expansion. The US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management now allows platforms to be purposely toppled to the bottom and used as artificial reefs to promote fisheries development. We compared the coral communities on standing offshore oil/gas production platforms with those on “Rigs-to-Reef” structures through Remotely Operated Vehicle reconnaissance (max. depth ∼110 m) to assess comparative population sizes of several coral species. Corals found were the zooxanthellate Madracis decactis and azooxanthellate Tubastraea coccinea, Oculina diffusa, and Phyllangia americana. There was no significant difference in total coral density between standing and toppled platforms, due to varying species-specific abundances. Madracis decactis and T. coccinea densities were significantly higher on toppled structures than on standing ones, P. americana was more abundant on standing platforms, and O. diffusa densities were not significantly different between the two sets of platforms. Corals were distributed more deeply on standing platforms than on toppled ones (particularly O. diffusa and P. americana). Madracis decactis (requiring light) and T. coccinea were concentrated at shallower depths (≤50 m). Rigs-to-Reefs structures serve as substrate for coral settlement. The probability of continued coral growth in these early stages of succession varies between species, when considering standing vs. toppled structures. We did not see overall evidence that toppling enhanced hermatypic coral populations, increased coral abundances in general, or created 3D reef-like fish habitat.

CORALLIVOROUS BEARDED FIREWORM

Bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) feeding on stony coral (Tubastrea coccinea). Photograph by Alexander Wolf Indirect biotic interactions play a crucial role in structuring ecological communities, but many of these interactions have not been explored. Algal competition and corallivory are two major stressors contributing to the decline of coral reefs. Our study provided first evidence of algal-induced corallivory and synergistic effects between these stressors on corals. Among the main contributing mechanisms, we suggest that algal contact produces decaying coral tissue that attracts the corallivore and enhances its aggregation behavior. Our study demonstrates an indirect effect pathway by which algae can impact corals; this model shares similarities with the classic models of apparent competition and habitat facilitation. This photograph illustrates the article “Synergistic effects of algal overgrowth and corallivory on Caribbean reef-building corals, by Alexander T. Wolf and Maggy M. Nugues, tentatively scheduled for publication in Ecology 94(8), August 2013. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/12-0680.1

Invasive potential of the coral Tubastraea coccinea in the southwest Atlantic

Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente, CCAE, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil Programa de Pos-graduacao em Etnobiologia e Conservacao da Natureza, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Departamento de Botânica, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88010-970 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, CB, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil

Bacterial communities and species-specific associations with the mucus of Brazilian coral species

We investigated the existence of species-specific associations between Brazilian coral species and bacteria. Pyrosequencing of the V3 region of the 16S rDNA was used to analyze the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities associated with the mucus of four coral species (Madracis decactis, Mussismilia hispida, Palythoa caribaeorum, and Tubastraea coccinea) in two seasons (winter and summer), which were compared with the surrounding water and sediment. The microbial communities found in samples of mucus, water, and sediment differed according to the composition and relative frequency of OTUs. The coral mucus community seemed to be more stable and resistant to seasonal variations, compared to the water and sediment communities. There was no influence of geographic location on the composition of the communities. The sediment community was extremely diverse and might act as a "seed bank" for the entire environment. Species-specific OTUs were found in P. caribaeorum, T. coccinea, and M. hispida.

Phylogenetically Diverse Denitrifying and Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in Corals Alcyonium gracillimum and Tubastraea coccinea

To date, the association of coral-bacteria and the ecological roles of bacterial symbionts in corals remain largely unknown. In particular, little is known about the community components of bacterial symbionts of corals involved in the process of denitrification and ammonia oxidation. In this study, the nitrite reductase (nirS and nirK) and ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA) genes were used as functional markers. Diverse bacteria with the potential to be active as denitrifiers and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were found in two East China Sea corals: stony coral Alcyonium gracillimum and soft coral Tubastraea coccinea. The 16S rRNA gene library analysis demonstrated different communities of bacterial symbionts in these two corals of the same location. Nitrite reductase nirK gene was found only in T. coccinea, while both nirK and nirS genes were detected in A. gracillimum, which might be the result of the presence of different bacterial symbionts in these two corals. AOB rather than ammonia-oxidizing archaea were detected in both corals, suggesting that AOB might play an important role in the ammonia oxidation process of the corals. This study indicates that the coral bacterial symbionts with the potential for nitrite reduction and ammonia oxidation might have multiple ecological roles in the coral holobiont, which promotes our understanding of bacteria-mediated nitrogen cycling in corals. To our knowledge, this study is the first assessment of the community structure and phylogenetic diversity of denitrifying bacteria and AOB in corals based on nirK, nirS, and amoA gene library analysis.

Phylogenetic Diversity of Actinobacteria Associated with Soft Coral Alcyonium gracllimum and Stony Coral Tubastraea coccinea in the East China Sea

Actinobacteria are widely distributed in the marine environment. To date, few studies have been performed to explore the coral-associated Actinobacteria, and little is known about the diversity of coral-associated Actinobacteria. In this study, the actinobacterial diversity associated with one soft coral Alcyonium gracllimum and one stony coral Tubastraea coccinea collected from the East China Sea was investigated using both culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches. A total of 19 actinobacterial genera were detected in these two corals, among which nine genera (Corynebacterium, Dietzia, Gordonia, Kocuria, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, Streptomyces, and Candidatus Microthrix) were common, three genera (Cellulomonas, Dermatophilus, and Janibacter) were unique to the soft coral, and seven genera (Brevibacterium, Dermacoccus, Leucobacter, Micromonospora, Nocardioides, Rhodococcus, and Serinicoccus) were unique to the stony coral. This finding suggested that highly diverse Actinobacteria were associated with different types of corals. In particular, five actinobacterial genera (Cellulomonas, Dermacoccus, Gordonia, Serinicoccus, and Candidatus Microthrix) were recovered from corals for the first time, extending the known diversity of coral-associated Actinobacteria. This study shows that soft and stony corals host diverse Actinobacteria and can serve as a new source of marine actinomycetes.

Depuration of Macondo (MC-252) Oil Found in Heterotrophic Scleractinian Corals (Tubastrea coccinea and Tubastrea micranthus) on Offshore Oil/Gas Platforms in the Gulf

The impetus for this study began on 8 May 2011, when we noted sporadic mortality of colonies of orange—cup corals, Tubastrea coccinea (Lesson, 1829), and green sun corals, Tubastrea micranthus (Ehrenberg, 1834; Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia) among colonies of coral that appeared to be in good health at the GI 90 block platforms. Colonies of T. coccinea which appeared to be healthy displayed markedly less tissue regression and were bright orange in color. The morbid polyps were dark brown or black. The corals were collected, transported to the laboratory, and segregated; healthy—appearing corals were placed in quarantine tanks. After 12 h in quarantine tanks, the coral exudate turned the tank water black and the colonies died within 48 h. After observing this unusual behavior, we decided to document subsequent collection events and analyze the discharged oil to determine its source.

Invasive, non-indigenous corals in a tropical rocky shore environment: No evidence for generalist predation

The biological invasion of rocky shore communities modifies species composition and the interaction between community elements. Two species, Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 and Tubastraea tagusensis Wells, 1982 have been identified as non-indigenous and invasive to the tropical rocky shores of southeast Brazil. The aim of the current study was to investigate predator–prey interactions between a guild of native potential generalist predators and the non-indigenous corals using total exclusion and partial cages versus controls on a tropical rocky shore in the southwest Atlantic. Despite generalist predators being present in natural densities on the experimental system and substantial settlement occurring during the 2year study (average density of Tubastraea spp. was 11.29 ind. 240cm−2) no significant differences were found in density or size of corals between treatments. Dominant groups in the accompanying biological community (ABC) were encrusting calcareous and turf algae, the sponge Iotrochota sp. and barnacles but ABC height and biomass and sediment mass did not differ between treatments. Due to transport and invasion of new communities these corals are thought to have escaped from predation despite a diverse suite of native potential generalist predators. Both corals have been shown to possess bioactive chemicals which predatory fish avoid and this would seem to be the mechanism of predator avoidance. The successful invasion by Tubastraea spp. in the southwest Atlantic is at least in part due to highly reduced (or nil) predation compared to the native range.

Análise comparativa da abundância do coral invasor Tubastraea spp: (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) em substratos naturais e artificiais na Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Os corais exóticos coral-sol (Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 e T. tagusensis Wells, 1982) invadiram as comunidades biológicas sésseis dos costões rochosos da Baía da Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Estruturas artificiais (piers, decks ou cais) foram selecionadas em quatro locais na Ilha Grande, e comparadas com substratos naturais adjacentes através de quantificação da densidade de cada espécie de Tubastraea, além da porcentagem de cobertura da biota bêntica. A densidade média geral de Tubastraea tagusensis foi de 80,3 indivíduos.m-2, aproximadamente o dobro encontrado para T. coccinea. Tendo em vista que sua presença alterou as abundâncias relativas e a riqueza de espécies, ambas as espécies invasoras modificaram a estrutura das comunidades invadidas. Tubastraea coccinea foi mais abundante em substratos artificiais do que naturais, porém, não foi detectada diferença na abundância de Tubastraea tagusensis entre substratos. A abundância de ambas as espécies variou com a profundidade e o local, e houve uma relação positiva entre a idade do substrato artificial e a abundância dos corais. Aparentemente T. tagusensis é competitivamente superior à T. coccinea, com uma inserção maior nas comunidades nativas em substratos naturais. Ambas as espécies tem grande potencial competitivo e podem utilizar substratos artificiais para iniciar seu estabelecimento em novos locais.

New occurrences of the nonindigenous orange cup corals Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) in Southwestern Atlantic

The genus Tubastraea, with natural occurrence in the Pacific Ocean, was reported for the first time in Brazil along the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Since then it has also been reported in other sites along the south and southeast Brazilian coasts in oil platforms and rocky shores. We describe for the first time the occurrence of Tubastraea tagusensis and T. coccinea in the Northeastern coast of Brazil. The corals were found in the state of Bahia, sitting on shipwrecks, marina jetties as well as occupying space on a coral reef.

Genetic connectivity in scleractinian corals across the Northern Gulf of Mexico: oil/gas platforms, and relationship to the Flower Garden Banks.

The 3,000 oil/gas structures currently deployed in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) provide hard substratum for marine organisms in a region where such has been rare since the Holocene. The major exception to this are the Flower Garden Banks (FGB). Corals are known to have colonized oil/gas platforms around the FGB, facilitating biogeographic expansion. We ask the question, what are the patterns of genetic affinity in these coral populations. We sampled coral tissue from populations of two species occurring on oil and gas platforms: Madracis decactis (hermatype) and Tubastraea coccinea (invasive ahermatype). We sampled 28 platforms along four transects from 20 km offshore to the continental shelf edge off 1) Matagorda Island, TX; 2) Lake Sabine, TX; 3) Terrebonne Bay, LA; and 4) Mobile, AL. The entire population of M. decactis was sampled between depths of 5 m and 37 m. T. coccinea populations were sub-sampled. Genetic variation was assessed using the PCR-based Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs). Data were analyzed via AFLPOP and STRUCTURE. Genetic connectivity among M. decactis platform populations was highest near the FGB and decreased to the east. Connectivity increased again in the eastern sector, indicating isolation between the populations from different sides of the Mississippi River (Transects 3 and 4). A point-drop in genetic affinity (relatedness) at the shelf edge south of Terrebonne Bay, LA indicated a population differing from all others in the northern GOM. Genetic affinities among T. coccinea were highest in the west and decreased to the east. Very low genetic affinities off Mobile, AL indicated a dramatic difference between those populations and those west of the Mississippi River, apparently a formidable barrier to larval dispersal.