Potential Trade-Off Between Temperature and Tissue Loss Resistance in Corals Associating With Algal Symbionts in the Genus Durusdinium

Abstract

The symbioses between corals and microorganisms, including the endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) and bacteria, are central to coral health and functioning. Certain species of Symbiodiniaceae in the genus Durusdinium are known to confer enhanced thermotolerance to corals and could therefore be beneficial under global climate change. However, association with thermotolerant algal symbionts may come with trade-offs that affect long-term coral persistence, and this study reports on one potentially consequential trade-off. We exposed colonies of the coral Galaxea fascicularis hosting Symbiodiniaceae in the genus Cladocopium (C-corals) or Durusdinium (D-corals) to elevated tem..