Analysis of symbiotic Symbiodinium in scleractinian corals off Northwestern Kish Island,Persian Gulf |
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| Authors: | Amirhossein Gheitanchi Mashini Mona Fard Yazdani Pargol Ghavam Mostafavi Mohammad Hassan Shahhosseiny |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran;2. Department of Microbiology, Shahre Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran |
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| Abstract: | The genus Symbiodinium plays an essential role in the resistance and survival of reef‐building corals during temperature anomalies. Coral colonies inhabiting the Persian Gulf (PG) experience extended periods of different stresses. Kish Island is located in the harsh environment of the Northern PG with previously reported bleaching episodes. Samples of six coral species from Northwestern Kish Island were analysed by internal transcribed spacer 2 of ribosomal DNA to identify in hospite Symbiodinium populations. The results showed that lineage D of Symbiodinium was the most prevalent clade among different coral colonies, while clade C was only detected in symbiosis with a single coral species. However, the detected Symbiodinium subclades belonged to two host generalists. The predominance of the stress tolerant Symbiodinium trenchii and subclade C3 could suggest an acclimatization strategy to cope with the hostile environment of the PG. |
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| Keywords: | coral reefs ITS2 Kish Island Persian Gulf
Symbiodinium
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