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Fatty acid profiles of separated host–symbiont fractions from five symbiotic corals: applications of chemotaxonomic and trophic biomarkers

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Abstract

Fatty acids (FAs) are the main components of lipids in corals. We examined FAs profiles from five symbiotic coral species belonging to five different genera (Acropora, Pavona, Turbinaria, Favites, and Platygyra) and four different families (Acroporidae, Agariciidae, Dendrophyllidae, Faviidae). We separated symbionts from the coral host tissue to investigate the interaction of FA between symbionts and host tissue. After separation, we used FA profiles, in particular specific FAs (e.g. 16:0, 18:0, 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:6n-3) and their ratios (EPA:DHA, PUFA:SFA) as biomarkers (i.e. signature lipids) to examine chemotaxonomy and trophic level (autotrophy vs. heterotrophy) of each coral species. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was performed to identify and quantify FA. For quantification, the dry weight of total lipids was used to normalize FA concentration (μg mg−1). We found that (1) the five different coral species showed define species-specific FA profiles; (2) certain FAs were valuable biomarkers to determine relative trophic strategies (i.e. autotrophy and/or heterotrophy; (3) the application of FA ratios to define trophic level requires caution in research application and data interpretation. Considering the limitations of FA ratios determined herein, we suggest it to be more appropriate to examine response to environmental change within species. Going forward, our study provides important FA baseline data that builds the foundation for future investigations on the impact of environmental changes related to nutrition and metabolism in symbiotic corals.

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Availability of data and material

The datasets for the study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

Abbreviations

TL:

Total lipids

FA:

Fatty acid

SFA:

Saturated fatty acid

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acid

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid

PA:

Palmitic acid (16:0)

SA:

Stearic acid (18:0)

OA:

Oleic acid (18:1n-9)

LA:

Linoleic acid (18:2n-6)

SDA:

Stearidonic acid (18:4n-3)

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3)

DPA:

Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3)

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3)

ALA:

α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3)

LA:

Linoleic acid (18:2n-6)

GLA:

γ-Linolenic acid (18:3n-6)

DGLA:

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n-6)

ARA:

Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6)

AdA:

Adrenic acid (22:4n-6)

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Acknowledgements

We thank the editor, Prof. Christian Wild, and two anonymous reviewers for their handling of our manuscript and constructive critique on earlier versions. We are grateful for the technical support of HKU and SWIMS staff.

Funding

This study was supported by General Research Fund No. 17303615 (Research Grants Council Hong Kong).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Taihun Kim, David M. Baker & Jetty Chung-Yung Lee

  2. Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Cape d’Aguilar Road, Shek O, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Taihun Kim & David M. Baker

  3. Jeju Marine Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 2670 Iljudong-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju, Republic of Korea

    Taihun Kim

  4. Global Ocean Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 385 Haeyang-Ro, Yeongdo-Gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

    Se-Jong Ju

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  1. Taihun Kim
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Contributions

TK and DMB conceived the study and planned fieldwork. TK and JCYL conducted data analysis. TK, JCYL, and DMB wrote the manuscript with contributions of SJJ. All authors participated and contributed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jetty Chung-Yung Lee.

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Hard coral samples were collected and maintained under the permit No. (111) in AF GR MPA 08/9 Pt.16, delivered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Kim, T., Baker, D.M., Ju, SJ. et al. Fatty acid profiles of separated host–symbiont fractions from five symbiotic corals: applications of chemotaxonomic and trophic biomarkers. Mar Biol 168, 163 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03979-9

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