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Effects of light intensity and spectral composition on the growth and physiological adaptation of Acroporid corals

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Abstract

Light affects physiological aspects of coral growth. However, it is unclear how light conditions (photoperiod, intensity, and spectrum) influence growth physiology. We examined the effects of various light conditions on skeletal growth promotion and the physiological mechanisms responsible for growth in Acroporid corals. Acroporid corals (Acropora tenuis, A. muricata, and A. intermedia) were reared for 2 months under various photoperiods (hours of light/dark = 8:16, 12:12, and 16:8) and light intensities (100 and 200 µEm−2 s−1). Growth was greater in all coral species under longer photoperiods and at higher light intensities. Next, we used a photoperiod of 16:10 (hours of light/dark) and 200 µEm−2 s−1 light of three spectral composition from a light-emitting diode. The growth of A. tenuis and A. intermedia increased with increasing wavelength. The symbiotic algae density increased as the photoperiod increased. Symbiotic algae density and chlorophyll content were affected by the light spectrum but were not associated with the degree of growth. Therefore, changes in light conditions can induce coral growth without changing symbiotic algae density or chlorophyll content. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the level of carbonic anhydrase mRNA changed with coral growth, suggesting that light accelerates coral calcification via photosynthesis by algal symbionts.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank staff of Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan, and of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Center at Okiden Kaihatsu Co., LtD., Okinawa, Japan, for use of facilities. We also greatly appreciate kind assistance from Lin Che-hung and Tanya Singh in data analysis of this manuscript. This study was supported in part by Construction of the Okinawa Science & Technology Innovation System from Okinawa Science & Technology Promotion Center (15D1000013 and 16D1000007).

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  1. Ryotaro Izumi and Ee Suan Tan have contribution first author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, 903-0213, Japan

    Ryotaro Izumi & Zongyan Shi

  2. Tropical Biosphere Research Center, Sesoko Station, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, 905-0227, Japan

    Ee Suan Tan

  3. Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, 903-0213, Japan

    Hinako Higa & Akihiro Takemura

  4. Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Onna, 904-0412, Japan

    Yuki Takeuchi

  5. Department of Bioresource Technology, Okinawa National College of Technology, Nago, 12 905-2192, Japan

    Naoko Isomura

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Izumi, R., Tan, E.S., Higa, H. et al. Effects of light intensity and spectral composition on the growth and physiological adaptation of Acroporid corals. Coral Reefs 42, 385–398 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-023-02348-w

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