Significant Differences in Coral Trophic Status Between Nearshore and Offshore Reefs Recorded by δ<SUP>15</SUP>N of Coral Symbiotic Zooxanthellae and Host Tissue in the South China Sea in the SCS

doi:10.1029/2023JG007432

CORC > 烟台海岸带研究所 > 中国科学院烟台海岸带研究所 > 中科院海岸带环境过程与生态修复重点实验室

	Significant Differences in Coral Trophic Status Between Nearshore and Offshore Reefs Recorded by δ¹⁵N of Coral Symbiotic Zooxanthellae and Host Tissue in the South China Sea in the SCS
	Xu, Shendong 1,3; Mo, Hongyan 1; Men, Zheng 1; Yu, Kefu 1,2; Zhang, Zhinan 1; Chen, Hanji 1
刊名	JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
	2024
卷号	129 期号:1 页码:15
关键词	coral energy maintenance trophic status stable nitrogen isotope nearshore and offshore reefs the South China Sea
ISSN号	2169-8953
DOI	10.1029/2023JG007432
通讯作者	Xu, Shendong(sdxu@yic.ac.cn) ; Yu, Kefu(kefuyu@scsio.ac.cn)
英文摘要	Significant differences in environmental conditions between nearshore and offshore coral reefs lead to different symbiotic zooxanthellae density (ZD) of corals. From the perspective of energy supply, different ZD lead to different energy provided by the photosynthesis of zooxanthellae to the coral host. However, few studies have conducted a comparative analysis of coral trophic status (i.e., autotrophic photosynthesis of zooxanthellae and heterotrophic feeding of the host) between nearshore and offshore reefs. In this study, 70 coral samples of Favia palauensis were collected from the nearshore Sanya reefs, and offshore Xisha, Nansha reefs in the South China Sea (SCS). The ZD, delta N-15 of seawater particulate organic matter (delta N-15(POM)), host tissue (delta N-15(h)), zooxanthellae (delta N-15(z)) and the difference between delta N-15(h) and delta N-15(z) (i.e., triangle Nh-z 15 = delta N-15(h)-delta N-15(z)) were measured and statistically analyzed. The purpose is to elucidate the differences in the energy maintenance mechanisms of corals between nearshore and offshore reefs. Results show that ZD is significantly positively correlated with delta N-15(z) in all three reefs (p < 0.05). Corals in nearshore Sanya have higher autotrophic abilities than corals from offshore Xisha and Nansha reefs. By contrast, corals in offshore reefs are more dependent on heterotrophic feeding of the host to obtain energy. Our research demonstrate that corals can adjust their trophic status, especially improve their heterotrophic feeding intensity to meet energy needs under different environmental conditions. This dynamic adjustment of energy supply patterns is of great significance to improve coral's environmental adaptability.Plain Language Summary Coral reefs are mainly divided into nearshore fringing reefs, barrier reefs and offshore atolls according to geographical distribution. Therein, ambient seawater in nearshore reefs are significantly affected by human activities and has relatively higher nutrient levels. In contrast, corals in offshore atolls are less affected by human activities as they are far away from the mainland, but they will be potentially affected by abnormal natural conditions. Different environmental conditions lead to significant differences in the physiological parameters of corals, such as symbiotic zooxanthellae density (ZD). From the perspective of energy supply, different ZD may lead to different energy provided by the photosynthesis of zooxanthellae to the coral host. However, few studies have conducted a comparative analysis of coral trophic status between nearshore and offshore reefs. Based on the delta N-15 labeling technology, we find that corals in nearshore fringing reefs have higher autotrophic abilities than corals from offshore reefs. By contrast, corals in the offshore reefs are more dependent on heterotrophic feeding of the host to obtain energy. This means that corals can adjust their trophic status to meet energy needs under different environmental conditions. This dynamic adjustment of energy supply patterns is of great significance to improve coral's environmental adaptability.
WOS关键词	ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION ; SPATIAL VARIATION ; STABLE-ISOTOPES ; HETEROTROPHY ; LIGHT ; AUTOTROPHY ; N-15 ; TEMPERATURE ; STRESS ; CARBON
WOS研究方向	Environmental Sciences & Ecology ; Geology
语种	英语
WOS记录号	WOS:001144846300001
资助机构	the guangxi provience projects ; National Natural Science Foundation of China ; Guangxi Scientific Projects ; Opening Project of Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea
内容类型	期刊论文
源URL	[http://ir.yic.ac.cn/handle/133337/34335]
专题	烟台海岸带研究所_中科院海岸带环境过程与生态修复重点实验室
通讯作者	Xu, Shendong; Yu, Kefu
作者单位	1.Guangxi Univ, Coral Reef Res Ctr China, Sch Marine Sci, Guangxi Lab Study Coral Reefs South China Sea, Nanning, Peoples R China 2.Southern Marine Sci & Engn Guangdong Lab Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Peoples R China 3.Chinese Acad Sci, Yantai Inst Coastal Zone Res, Key Lab Coastal Zone Environm Proc & Ecol Remediat, Yantai, Peoples R China
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Xu, Shendong,Mo, Hongyan,Men, Zheng,et al. Significant Differences in Coral Trophic Status Between Nearshore and Offshore Reefs Recorded by δ¹⁵N of Coral Symbiotic Zooxanthellae and Host Tissue in the South China Sea in the SCS[J]. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES,2024,129(1):15.
APA	Xu, Shendong,Mo, Hongyan,Men, Zheng,Yu, Kefu,Zhang, Zhinan,&Chen, Hanji.(2024).Significant Differences in Coral Trophic Status Between Nearshore and Offshore Reefs Recorded by δ¹⁵N of Coral Symbiotic Zooxanthellae and Host Tissue in the South China Sea in the SCS.JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES,129(1),15.
MLA	Xu, Shendong,et al."Significant Differences in Coral Trophic Status Between Nearshore and Offshore Reefs Recorded by δ¹⁵N of Coral Symbiotic Zooxanthellae and Host Tissue in the South China Sea in the SCS".JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES 129.1(2024):15.