title: Microbiota shifts in the surface mucopolysaccharide layer of corals transferred from natural to aquaria settings.
abstract: Bacteria associated with the surface mucopolysaccharide layer (SML) of corals have been proposed to be paramount to coral health, and are occasionally studied in aquaria. Using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), this study examined the temporal changes in the SML microbiota of coral fragments (Siderastrea siderea) transferred from the reef to aquaria. In total, 460 amplicon peaks were detected, 155 of which were unique. Extensive microbiota shifts occurred one day after transfer, with stabilization between 14 and 28days. These results suggest that studies examining coral in laboratory settings should consider the observed temporal dynamics in the SML microbiota.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States. Electronic address: zpratte@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Zoe A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Pratte
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors.forename: Laurie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States; International Forensic Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors.forename: DeEtta K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000382:microbiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D064307:Microbiota / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans
keywords: ARISA; Coral microbiology; Siderastrea siderea; Surface mucopolysaccharide layer