Princeton University Users: If you would like to view a senior thesis while you are away from campus, you will need to connect to the campus network remotely via the Global Protect virtual private network (VPN). If you are not part of the University requesting a copy of a thesis, please note, all requests are processed manually by staff and will require additional time to process.
 

Publication:

Captivity and Clade Identity: Investigating Symbiodiniaceae Diversity in Wild and Aquacultured Coral Symbioses

No Thumbnail Available

Files

EEB Senior Thesis Final Submission.pdf (15.71 MB)

Date

2025-04-28

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Abstract

This study investigates how aquaculture conditions influence the symbiotic community composition of reef-building corals by comparing Symbiodiniaceae clade identity between wild and aquacultured coral samples. Using ITS2 sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, DNA was extracted, purified, cloned, and sequenced from four aquacultured brain coral fragments (Favia and Platygyra spp.) and one wild Diploria labyrinthiformis sample. Results revealed that the wild coral exclusively hosted Clade B symbionts (Breviolum sp.), while aquacultured corals consistently harbored Clade C symbionts (Cladocopium sp., primarily C1 subvariants). No evidence of mixed clade infections was found. These findings suggest that environmental history may influence symbiont acquisition under aquaculture conditions, although the potential role of host identity cannot be fully excluded based on this study. From a conservation perspective, maintaining or enhancing symbiont diversity in cultured corals could improve ecological flexibility for reef restoration efforts. Future research should focus on resolving subclade variation and conducting direct comparisons within the same coral species across wild and cultured environments.

Description

Keywords

Citation