2016 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Role of symbiotic assemblages in coral host survival: translocation from mesophotic to shallow reef
Project/Area Number |
16F16780
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Research Institution | University of the Ryukyus |
Principal Investigator |
波利井 佐紀 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 准教授 (30334535)
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Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
ROUZE HELOISE 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 外国人特別研究員
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Project Period (FY) |
2016-11-07 – 2019-03-31
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Keywords | mesophotic corals / endosymbionts / exosymbionts / diversity / translocation |
Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The goal of this project is to investigate some inter-connections between communities of the decapods involved in exosymbiotic assemblages and Symbiodinium involved in endosymbiotic assemblages and their ecological role for corals from deep vs. shallow reefs of Okinawa. With that purpose, the 2-year JSPS project has been conceived under two main parts based on: 1) a comparative evaluation of diversity of endo- and exo-symbiotic communities associated to deep vs. shallow corals, and 2) the role of the endo- and exo-symbiotic communities in the resistance and fitness of a deep coral translocated from deep to shallow reefs. At the moment, after a preliminary site prospection phase around Okinawa and Sesoko islands, different mesophotic and shallow reefs have been selected and used to investigate the different project parts. For the Part 1 a survey of the coral-symbionts biodiversity started with sampling of shallow corals. Each selected coral colonies were sampled in individual plastic bags and bring back to the station, where the endo- and exo-symbionts have been isolated and conserved for further genetic analyses. Currently, more than 300 exosymbionts, mostly from crab, shrimp and fishes groups, have been extracted, photographed and prepared for DNA-barcoding, in order to constitute a catalog of associated coral symbionts. For the part 2, deep corals have been sampled, isolated from their exosymbiotic communities (used in part 1), glued on individual support and deployed at 40 m and 20 m. In addition, molecular work has been developed and performed on first samples.
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Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
来日後、当初の予定通り野外調査を開始し、サンゴ等の試料を得ている。また、計画に沿った移植実験も開始ししており、順調に進展しているといえる。
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Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The next steps for this JSPS project will be to continue the two main parts 1 and 2. This will mainly include field work (e.g. sampling, survey) and molecular work, as well as experimental work in aquarium (coral spawning).
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