Cellular identity, systematics and biogeography of apicomplexan parasites Genotype-N and Gemmocystis infecting coral reefs

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14774
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45030:Biodiversity and systematics-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Wakeman Kevin 北海道大学, 高等教育推進機構, 助教 (70760221)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Biology / Coral reefs / Parasitology

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This work focused on sampling apicomplexans associated with coral reefs. Samples were collected from Okinawa and in locations around Southern Japan, including Ishigaki, Kagoshima and Hiroshima. Samples were processed for histology and PCR screening of apicomplexans using the 18S rDNA. Samples were also prepared for next generation sequencing, in order to gain a better understanding of the diversity of apicomplexans associated with these samples. In total over 80 species of coral were sampled and sent for sequencing. As a general result, we found that apicomplexans that associate with coral are broadly distributed, geographically and throughout coral reefs. To this end, coral in Japan have similar communities of apicomplexans to those found in other localities such as the Caribbean. While similar, these species are likely different, and appear to be unique to the waters around Japan.

Free Research Field

Biodiversity

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

社会的および科学的影響から、これらの結果はサンゴの生物学を理解するために重要であり、生物が寄生虫と持つ相互作用についての見通しを得るための最初のステップのいくつかです。言い換えれば、この作業はサンゴ礁の健康をよりよく管理するのに役立ちます。この研究からの重要な派生物の1つは、微生物叢と、これが特に気候変動時にサンゴの健康にどのように影響するかに関する研究です。健康なサンゴ微生物叢を構成するものを理解することは、サンゴの白化現象の予測因子となり、その影響を制限するのに役立つ可能性があります