Metagenomic and culture-based insights into the core microbiomes of Acropora and Favites corals of Andaman Sea
This study explores the microbial world that supports coral health in the Andaman Sea. Focusing on two key reef-building corals, Acropora and Favites, we combined DNA sequencing and culturing to reveal the diversity, composition, and functions of their associated microbiomes across contrasting reef sites. The results uncovered over 1.8 billion genetic reads, with 76% of microbial sequences unclassified, suggesting the presence of many previously unknown marine microbes. Favites corals hosted more functionally diverse and stress-tolerant microbes than Acropora, reflecting their greater resilience to environmental changes. Sediment and seawater communities also played crucial roles in nutrient cycling and ecosystem stability. Together, these findings provide the first detailed baseline of coral microbiomes from the Andaman Sea and highlight the potential of microbial communities to enhance coral resilience and guide future reef restoration efforts.