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Endolithic Microbes in Coral Skeletons: Algae or Bacteria?

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Symbiotic Microbiomes of Coral Reefs Sponges and Corals

Abstract

Microbial endoliths exist ubiquitously, in several terrestrial and marine environments, including inside pores of coral skeletons. Although coral skeletons provide a harsh environment due to limited light and circadian fluctuations in pH and oxygen, visible green, black, brown, and red bands comprised of cyanobacteria, fungi, bacteria, and red and green algae, respectively, are usually observed in the skeletons of corals. Based on microscopic observation and culture-based methods, many studies showed algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria as dominant microorganisms in coral skeleton and also suggested that the endolithic microbes may be nutrient source of their coral hosts. Recently, various bacteria in coral skeletons have been illustrated, thanks to culture-independent methods. This chapter focuses on (1) challenges of environment in coral skeleton to endolithic microbes, (2) the endolithic microorganism and potential roles in coral skeletons, and (3) perspectives.

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  1. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

    Shan-Hua Yang & Sen-Lin Tang

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Correspondence to Sen-Lin Tang .

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  1. Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Zhiyong Li

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Yang, SH., Tang, SL. (2019). Endolithic Microbes in Coral Skeletons: Algae or Bacteria?. In: Li, Z. (eds) Symbiotic Microbiomes of Coral Reefs Sponges and Corals. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1612-1_4

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