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Bleaching Resistance and the Role of Algal Endosymbionts

  • Chapter
Coral Bleaching

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 205))

Abstract

Corals form an obligate symbiosis with a wide range of genetic types within the genus Symbiodinium, a genetically extremely diverse group of single-celled algae. In this chapter we review global patterns in the distribution of Symbiodinium diversity, variability in the levels of specificity of the coral--algal symbiosis among corals with differing life histories, temporal change versus stability in the Symbiodinium community harboured by corals, particularly following bleaching events, and the extent to which Symbiodinium type defines physiological attributes of the coral holobiont. We further discuss evidence for shuffling versus switching under thermal stress and how coral--algal symbioses are likely to respond to ocean warming associated with climate change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida, 33149, USA

    Andrew C. Baker

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, State University of NewYork at Buffalo, 661 Hochstetter Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14260, USA

    Mary Alice Coffroth

  3. School of Marine and Tropical Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia

    Bette L. Willis

Authors
  1. Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
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  2. Andrew C. Baker
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  3. Mary Alice Coffroth
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  4. Bette L. Willis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Madeleine J. H. van Oppen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Queensland, 4810, Australia

    Madeleine J. H. van Oppen  & Janice M. Lough  & 

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van Oppen, M.J.H., Baker, A.C., Coffroth, M.A., Willis, B.L. (2009). Bleaching Resistance and the Role of Algal Endosymbionts. In: van Oppen, M.J.H., Lough, J.M. (eds) Coral Bleaching. Ecological Studies, vol 205. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69775-6_6

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