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Different zooxanthellae types in populations of the zoanthid Zoanthus sansibaricus along depth gradients in Okinawa, Japan

  • Biodiversity of Coral Reefs
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Abstract

Zooxanthellate zoanthid colonies of the species Zoanthus sansibaricus (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) are present both in the intertidal zone and at depths greater than 7 m at three locations (Manza, Zanpa, Sunabe) along the west coast of Okinawa, Japan. In this study, the identity of Z. sansibaricus colonies from various depths as the same species was confirmed using morphological analyses of tentacle numbers, polyp diameter, and nematocyst examination. In addition, molecular analyses of sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and the internal transcribed spacer region 2 of ribosomal DNA (ITS2-rDNA) were performed. Surveys from 0 to 35 m depths at Manza indicated that the populations of Z. sansibaricus were discontinuous in their bathymetrical distribution, with few or no Z. sansibaricus colonies found at depths of 4–7 m. Examination of Symbiodinium (=zooxanthellae) types within Z. sansibaricus colonies by phylogenetic analyses of Symbiodinium ITS2-rDNA showed clear differences between the two populations, with some (=27 %) intertidal colonies having Symbiodinium clade A, while all deeper subtidal (>7 m depth) colonies possessed Symbiodinium clade C (n = 18). Detailed phylogenetic analyses further indicated significant differences within Symbiodinium clade C populations over depth. From this study, it is clear that the zoanthid Z. sansibaricus has some variation in its symbiosis with Symbiodinium, potentially allowing the species to colonize different depths in the subtropical coral reef environment of Okinawa, and that its range extends far past the shallow subtidal zone as previously believed.

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Acknowledgements

MISE laboratory members (2008–2011) are acknowledged for their help with both field work and microscopy. J.D.R. was supported by partial funding from the Rising Star Program (2008–2011), a grant (Wakate B #21770089) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (2008–2010), and the International Research Hub Project for Climate Change and Coral Reef/Island Dynamics at the University of the Ryukyus. Dr. Todd LaJeunesse and Drew Wham (Penn State U.) are acknowledged for helpful discussions. Dr. Frederic Sinniger is thanked for information on deep Z. sansibaricus colonies. Three anonymous reviewers’ comments greatly helped to improve this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Science, Biology and Chemistry, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Minaho Kamezaki, Marie Higa, Mamiko Hirose & Shoichiro Suda

  2. Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Rising Star Program, Transdisciplinary Research Organization for Subtropical Island Studies (TRO-SIS), University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Mamiko Hirose & James Davis Reimer

  3. Marine Biodiversity Research Program, Institute of Biogeosciences, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan

    James Davis Reimer

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  1. Minaho Kamezaki
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  2. Marie Higa
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  3. Mamiko Hirose
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  4. Shoichiro Suda
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Correspondence to James Davis Reimer.

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Supplementary Table S1

Zoanthus sansibaricus specimens examined in this study, their Symbiodinium, and GenBank Accession Numbers for obtained DNA sequences. (DOC 64 kb)

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Kamezaki, M., Higa, M., Hirose, M. et al. Different zooxanthellae types in populations of the zoanthid Zoanthus sansibaricus along depth gradients in Okinawa, Japan. Mar Biodiv 43, 61–70 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-012-0119-2

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