coral reef metagenome Targeted loci environmental
Coastal communities are increasingly threatened by deoxygenation events. While the response of the coral holobiont is well studied in response to warming sea surface temperature and ocean acidification, little is known about the response of the coral microbiome to deoxygenation. To investigate this further, we conducted a survey on coral reefs in Bahia Almirante, Panama, which have previously experienced episodes of low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Using 16S rRNA gene analysis, we will characterize the coral microbiomes to determine differences based on historical exposure to hypoxia. Differences in community structure could confer holobiont resistance to hypoxia via variance in metabolic pathways, nutrient cycling, or even pathogen resistance. Our work will further the knowledge gap in understanding the role of the coral microbiome in response to marine hypoxia.