Abstract Summary
Signatures of disease resistance for the threatened Caribbean branching coral, Acropora palmata. Ben Young1*, Xaymara Serrano2, Margaret Miller3, Stephanie Rosales4,5, and Nikki Traylor-Knowles1 1 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, USA 2 Environmental Branch, Planning and Policy Division, USACE, Jacksonville, USA 3 SECORE International, Miami, USA 4 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, USA 5 Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, USA Coral reefs are important ocean ecosystems that provide biodiversity and economic stability. Despite this value, they are under threat from anthropogenic stressors that have caused drastic decreases in global coral cover. In the Caribbean, White Band Disease has caused tremendous declines in the critical ecosystem building coral, Acropora palmata. With disease incidence and virulence rising, an in-depth knowledge of disease resistance dynamics is needed by restoration institutions for all coral species. To maintain the critical ecosystem functions Acropora palmata provides, disease resistance dynamics for the already decimated wild populations are invaluable in ensuring its survival. Previous observational work with Acropora palmata genotypes has shown large differences in disease tolerance, with percent disease transmission ranging from 0% to 100%. In this study RNA-seq was used to look at the differential gene expression of 12 Acropora palmata genotypes, with different disease tolerances, in 2016 and 2017. Fragments were sampled before disease exposure, and after a 7-day disease exposure. We hypothesise that differential gene expression will elucidate the expression of important immune genes and identify signatures of disease resistance. Preliminary results indicate significant gene expression differences among genotypes of varied disease susceptibility within each year. Large differences between genotype gene expression in year is also apparent, indicating that virulence of disease or environmental conditions are strong drivers of disease resistance. This work will contribute to scientifically driven restoration work by informing out-planting efforts of disease resistant individuals, while also providing the benchmark for a field monitoring experiment of Acropora palmata on the Florida Reef Tract.
