PRJNA772194
Characterizing the microbiomes of corals with stony coral tissue loss disease
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is an often lethal disease that was first documented off Southeast Florida, USA in 2014. It has since spread through Florida's Coral Reef (FCR) and much of the Caribbean region, affecting more than 23 species of scleractinian corals. The objective of this study was to determine if a specific microbial signature exists in the SCTLD lesions of different coral species. To evaluate the microbial communities of corals affected by SCTLD, tissue samples were collected from five coral species along FCR: Colpophyllia natans, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella faveolata, and Siderastrea siderea. Three types of samples were collected from each species: the lesion tissue and apparently unaffected tissue of diseased coral colonies, and the tissue of apparently healthy coral colonies. Water samples were also collected. The coral tissue and water samples were collected from sites in the Middle Florida Keys (the epidemic zone) and the Lower Florida Keys (the vulnerable zone). The 16S rRNA gene variable region (V4) was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing methods. The microbial community and diversity of these five susceptible species were then analyzed to determine if they possess a specific microbial signature.