Abstract
We determined the source of fatty acids in scleractinian corals by separately measuring and comparing the δ13C values of fatty acids in zooxanthellae and coral hosts from two scleractinian coral species (Montastraea faveolata and Porites astreoides) from reefs of the Florida Reef Tract. Using an isotopic mass balance approach, we show that zooxanthellae are the dominant source of fatty acids and that in many colonies heterotrophic feeding can be an important and significant source of essential v3 fatty acids for corals. There is considerable variability in feeding behavior within species, between species, and within single reef sites. In individual colonies, essential ω3 fatty acids and energy resources such as triglycerides can be acquired from separate dietary sources, showing the importance of resource partitioning within the coral animal. Consistently, individual coral colonies acquire most of their energy-rich saturated fatty acids from their symbiotic zooxanthellae. The particular feeding mode by which corals acquire their fatty acids appears to be specific to each coral colony. The ability of corals to modulate their feeding modes under different environments may provide an adaptive mechanism to sustain growth under stressful conditions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1285-1296 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Limnology and Oceanography |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oceanography
- Aquatic Science
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Heterotrophic and autotrophic assimilation of fatty acids by two scleractinian corals, montastraea faveolata and porites astreoides. / Teece, Mark A.; Estes, Benjamin; Gelsleichter, Eric; Lirman, Diego.
In: Limnology and Oceanography, Vol. 56, No. 4, 01.07.2011, p. 1285-1296.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Heterotrophic and autotrophic assimilation of fatty acids by two scleractinian corals, montastraea faveolata and porites astreoides
AU - Teece, Mark A.
AU - Estes, Benjamin
AU - Gelsleichter, Eric
AU - Lirman, Diego
PY - 2011/7/1
Y1 - 2011/7/1
N2 - We determined the source of fatty acids in scleractinian corals by separately measuring and comparing the δ13C values of fatty acids in zooxanthellae and coral hosts from two scleractinian coral species (Montastraea faveolata and Porites astreoides) from reefs of the Florida Reef Tract. Using an isotopic mass balance approach, we show that zooxanthellae are the dominant source of fatty acids and that in many colonies heterotrophic feeding can be an important and significant source of essential v3 fatty acids for corals. There is considerable variability in feeding behavior within species, between species, and within single reef sites. In individual colonies, essential ω3 fatty acids and energy resources such as triglycerides can be acquired from separate dietary sources, showing the importance of resource partitioning within the coral animal. Consistently, individual coral colonies acquire most of their energy-rich saturated fatty acids from their symbiotic zooxanthellae. The particular feeding mode by which corals acquire their fatty acids appears to be specific to each coral colony. The ability of corals to modulate their feeding modes under different environments may provide an adaptive mechanism to sustain growth under stressful conditions.
AB - We determined the source of fatty acids in scleractinian corals by separately measuring and comparing the δ13C values of fatty acids in zooxanthellae and coral hosts from two scleractinian coral species (Montastraea faveolata and Porites astreoides) from reefs of the Florida Reef Tract. Using an isotopic mass balance approach, we show that zooxanthellae are the dominant source of fatty acids and that in many colonies heterotrophic feeding can be an important and significant source of essential v3 fatty acids for corals. There is considerable variability in feeding behavior within species, between species, and within single reef sites. In individual colonies, essential ω3 fatty acids and energy resources such as triglycerides can be acquired from separate dietary sources, showing the importance of resource partitioning within the coral animal. Consistently, individual coral colonies acquire most of their energy-rich saturated fatty acids from their symbiotic zooxanthellae. The particular feeding mode by which corals acquire their fatty acids appears to be specific to each coral colony. The ability of corals to modulate their feeding modes under different environments may provide an adaptive mechanism to sustain growth under stressful conditions.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79958846245&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4319/lo.2011.56.4.1285
DO - 10.4319/lo.2011.56.4.1285
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79958846245
VL - 56
SP - 1285
EP - 1296
JO - Limnology and Oceanography
JF - Limnology and Oceanography
SN - 0024-3590
IS - 4
ER -