[Coral-List] Input on your questions 3 & 6 - coral aquaculture/farmers.

Mon Aug 5 18:41:09 EDT 2013

Hi Barbara,

As a partial answer source for your questions 3 and 6, I suggest you contact some of the major coral aquaculturist. Their success with the species they work depends on the particular species tolerance to the handling involved with fragmenting and setting. You might consider contacting Oceans, Reefs, and Aquariums in FL who also have coral farms in the Marshall Islands.

Best,

Durwood M. Dugger
BCI, Inc.

On Aug 5, 2013, at 12:00 PM, coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov wrote:

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Today's Topics:

 1. Reef management and restoration internships (Jesus Munoz Serrano)
 2. Coral fluorescence (Barbara Gratzer)
 3. Age of corals (Barbara Gratzer)
 4. Coral polyps all the same (Barbara Gratzer)
 5. Coral survival after bleaching (Barbara Gratzer)
 6. Corals are sensitive to being touched (Barbara Gratzer)
 7. Corals biorhythm and feeding time (Barbara Gratzer)
 8. My apologies (Chris Page)
 9. Photos of zooxanthellae (Lee)
10. Re: Coral fluorescence (Charles Mazel)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 18:40:29 +0200
From: Jesus Munoz Serrano <jesusmunozserrano at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Reef management and restoration internships
To: coral list <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Message-ID: <BBEC7289-A07C-47CF-8962-764D0387DCE2 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello there listers,

I am a BSc environmental sciences graduate who is starting now a MSc Nature Management program in the University of Copenhagen. I'm really interested in marine ecosystems management and MPA's in general and I would love to work in reef restoration/reef management. I've been looking through the Internet for organisations that work in this areas in which I could do an internship next summer. Sadly all of them looks quite difficult to get in because I'd have to pay for accommodation plus food during the program (which is kind of a big sum for a student if putting the costs of flights on top of that). I was wondering if anybody here could provide me with some information about internships in which the organisation provide accommodation and board (or at least accommodation). However, I'd like to know about any other good internship program even if the organisation doesn't provide anything at all, so I can ponder if I'll be able to afford it!!! (Sorry, I don't know if this thread i
s appropriate for the list; forgive me in the case that is not, please).

Thanks a lot!!!!!

Kind regards,

Jesus Munoz Serrano
jesusmunozserrano at gmail.com

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:44:11 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Coral fluorescence
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45ENdz63z_fbiG5PwcXRFs0UUq5JRC8BAMqEqVBSo+gU=A at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear all,

Since I have not received any answers yet, I will try to resend the
questions I came across lately:

1. I thought corals possessing colours have many GFP like proteins.  Now I
have discovered several acroporid finger-corals with purple colour that are
not fluorescent. Do you know why? Does GFP like protein not necessarily
mean they are fluorescent or does the colour derive from other proteins?
And why do some colours not possess colouration but are highly fluorescent
in contrast to others?

2. What's exactly the purpose of being fluorescent. I know the pigments
causing fluorescence are thought to act either as protection from
stress/sunlight or as enhancer for symbiodinium to increase photosynthesis,
but is it just a coincidence that they are fluorescent at the same time? I
dont understand the correlation.

3. Whats the purpose of different fluorescent light levels? Most of the
corals emmit green and yellow light and very few emmit red light. Is it
caused by the proteins or does it have something to do with different
photosynthetic active pigments?

4. Within our coral nursery I have come across several Acropora species
(especially purple coloured) that lost their original colour after being
transplanted and only had a bright brown colour after 6 month. Is that a
process caused by stress? Whats the purpose?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:46:13 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Age of corals
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45EjinG_M5ExyjrkfyaYbFyi=FUZQTqWZESy+GL6Q1+SPA at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear all,

Have a question regarding age of corals: What is the turnover rate/age of
an individual polyp within a colony?
And whats the oldest still growing coral colony found so fare?

Thank you!

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:49:01 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Coral polyps all the same
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45GppwhzLnxxahvSrjKXyr8c55YNunGtohq7-6iDvC_DkA at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear all,

Question: Is there any intracellular structural change of polyps within a
table coral colony (some corals sit on the trunk and their shape is
completely different from polyps on the top)?

Thanks for explanations!

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:50:08 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Coral survival after bleaching
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45EKHnry=26G6i26SB_2+mC0a+oC6PRHLnrKPfMg5R2hiQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear all,

After the event of bleaching: how long does a polyp survive without
Symbiodinium? Is it species dependent?

Thanks for answers,

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:51:27 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Corals are sensitive to being touched
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45H6ycoTf1+k25hTX03CT=iQ0PEp2C=M3pfsO5z=b1Qudw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear coral listers,

Are there any studies being made about what effect touching/skin has on
corals? I have only been reading so many times to avoid contact with skin
because of additional stress for corals but are there actual numbers to
that statement?

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:57:35 +0600
From: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Corals biorhythm and feeding time
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACZa45F5C-yNpsQqUWrEuyi8UnhrCCS=nmU7h9WqtqHpirxFiw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Dear all,

I am wondering what causes the biorhythm of corals regarding when to extend
their tentacles and when not? Sometimes I see Fungia with extended polyps
during the night, sometimes during the day. Also due to vertical plankton
movement one would suggest feeding to be more efficient during night,
however some corals with Zooxanthellae extend their polyps during daytime
only.
Also the explanation that most of corals extend polyps during the night
because the photosynthesis is not working during day confuses me since
parts of the photosynthesis-machinery work also during night
(light-independent reaction). Or do Zooxanthellae not possess
dark-reaction?
Has somebody an idea?

Warm regards,

Barbara Gratzer MSc
~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
Resident Marine biologist
Huvafen Fushi Resort
Republic of Maldives

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 10:21:28 -0400
From: Chris Page <cpage at mote.org>
Subject: [Coral-List] My apologies
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID: <51FBC068.5000802 at mote.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Listers,

My apologies for my mass, nonsensical post on 7/31.  That email was 
intended for another recipient not associated with a coral-list thread.  
Please disregard.

Thank You,
Christopher A. Page

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 09:55:13 +0800
From: Lee <ljlexpeditions at gmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Photos of zooxanthellae
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID:
	<CACD-suRZ0fwa82_XeK0T8TMH_iMsKmWCNRj8hz8ZzRKTfH8J2Q at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi All,

A few weeks back I posted a request for contacts who might help with
supplying images of shark dermal denticles. I got a great response and
thank everyone for their help. I am once again taking advantage of this
fantastic resource to ask if anyone can help with supplying an image of
zooxanthellae (or know someone who might be able to). This is for a
commercial project and we can absolutely discuss terms for usage.

Thanks!

Lee Goldman

-- 
Lee Goldman
LJL Expeditions
S.E.Asia Kayak Tours
B6, L10 Gumamela St., Garden City 3
Paranaque, Philippines
H: +632 825 5057
M: +63 917 792 0076
ljlexpeditions at gmail.com
www.ljlexpeditions.com

------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 09:43:49 -0400
From: Charles Mazel <mazel at psicorp.com>
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coral fluorescence
To: Barbara Gratzer <barbaragratzer at gmail.com>,
	coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Message-ID: <164F6797-2E31-48E1-BF90-471DF660CF7F at psicorp.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Barbara,

Some brief answers, far from complete, and pointers to publications below.

Best regards,

Charlie

Charles Mazel
Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810
tel: 978 738-8227
fax: 978 689-3232

On Aug 4, 2013, at 2:44 AM, Barbara Gratzer wrote:

> Dear all,
> 
> Since I have not received any answers yet, I will try to resend the
> questions I came across lately:
> 
> 1. I thought corals possessing colours have many GFP like proteins.  Now I
> have discovered several acroporid finger-corals with purple colour that are
> not fluorescent. Do you know why? Does GFP like protein not necessarily
> mean they are fluorescent or does the colour derive from other proteins?
> And why do some colours not possess colouration but are highly fluorescent
> in contrast to others?

There are non-fluorescent varieties of 'green fluorescent protein'. They are of the same protein 'family' but have different amino acid sequences at the chromophore location such that they preferentially absorb some wavelengths of light (i.e., impart color) but do not fluoresce. See Lukyanov et al, 2000. Natural animal coloration can be determined by a nonfluorescent green fluorescent protein. J. Biol. Chem, 275:25879-25882. (one of my favorite titles of a paper)

I have always found this intriguing and suggestive. While fluorescence in corals is common, what is more common is the presence of proteins of that family, whether fluorescent or not.

You are correct that some corals that do not appear colorful can be quite fluorescent. This will have to do with distribution and amount of the protein and also the excitation spectrum. Also, when you say a coral does not appear to be fluorescent it is often due to the way you normally view it, under sunlight or broadband white light. As bright as fluorescence might appear when viewed in the dark with the right lights, it is a relatively weak effect and often cannot compete with reflected sunlight in determining apparent color. In the Caribbean, there is a variety of Montastraea cavernosa that often appears quite orange at depth. If you bring it up to the surface or even into shallow water it appears brown due to the increased ambient light at the wavelengths of the fluorescence. Where most fluorescence is green, it is competing against the ambient light at green and neighboring wavelengths, often making the presence of the fluorescence less obvious.

> 
> 2. What's exactly the purpose of being fluorescent. I know the pigments
> causing fluorescence are thought to act either as protection from
> stress/sunlight or as enhancer for symbiodinium to increase photosynthesis,
> but is it just a coincidence that they are fluorescent at the same time? I
> dont understand the correlation.
> 
'Exactly the purpose' is still unclear and under debate. That either/or dichotomy between protection from excess sunlight and assistance to photosynthesis is an oversimplification and does not encompass additional suggested roles for the protein. And one must certainly think independently about the function of the protein and the function of the fluorescence. 

For example, the protein may play a role in managing internal chemistry - see Bou-Abdallah, F., N. D. Chasteen, and M. P. Lesser, 2006. Quenching of superoxide radicals by green fluorescent protein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1760:1690-1695. In such a case the fluorescence may well be a non-functional property of a protein that is there for a perfectly good reason, but not to be fluorescent.

There have been some other suggestions for function that are directly related to fluorescence, such as a beacon - Hollingsworth, L. L., R. A. Kinzie, T. D. Lewis, D. A. Krupp, and J. C. Leong, 2005.Phototaxis of motile zooxanthellae to green light may facilitate symbiont capture by coral larvae. Coral Reefs, 24:523.

Fluorescence, by the way, is a horrible way to assist photosynthesis. Throwing off photons in random directions as fluorescence does and hoping they will be caught by chlorophyll is an inefficient way to go about it. Also, one often finds that the fluorescent proteins and the symbiotic algae are not co-located, so a poor arrangement for either photoprotection or photosynthesis enhancement. Another point concerning aiding photosynthesis - if a coral is brightly fluorescent those are a lot of photons that are NOT being used internally. Nature has a better way to transfer energy, and that is by resonance transfer as is used in the phycobiliproteins (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin) that capture energy and hand it off to chlorophyll with very high efficiency. Phycoerythrin is about the most fluorescent molecule in nature but when it is tied up in this transport chain there is very little fluorescence emitted. 

There are also arguments (i.e., publications) that the presence of fluorescent proteins make corals (A) more resistant and (B) less resistant to bleaching. If you're not confused yet, you should be. 

> 3. Whats the purpose of different fluorescent light levels? Most of the
> corals emmit green and yellow light and very few emmit red light. Is it
> caused by the proteins or does it have something to do with different
> photosynthetic active pigments?
> 
There are a number of variations of the fluorescent proteins that result in different emission colors. Not due to different photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll always has a deep red fluorescence, not strong. As to purpose of the different colors in the proteins, not clear that there is any.

e.g., Kelmanson, I. V., and M. V. Matz, 2003. Molecular basis and evolutionary origins of color diversity in great star coral Montastraea cavernosa (Scleractinia: Faviida). Mol. Biol. Evol., 20:1125-1133. http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/content/20/7/1125.full.pdf

> 4. Within our coral nursery I have come across several Acropora species
> (especially purple coloured) that lost their original colour after being
> transplanted and only had a bright brown colour after 6 month. Is that a
> process caused by stress? Whats the purpose?
> 
Not necessarily stress. The expression of the fluorescent proteins is influenced by the light that corals are exposed to. Reef aquarists have known this for a long time. By changing the light levels on the specimens they can get them to 'color up'. For a scientific publication related to this, see D?Angelo, C., A. Denzel, A. Vogt, M. V. Matz, F. Oswald, A. Salih, G. U. Nienhaus, and J. Wiedenmann, 2008. Blue light regulation of host pigment in reef-building corals. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 364:97-106. Varying level of blue light caused varying level of expression of the fluorescent pigments.

Stress may also play a role - 
Roth and Deheyn, 2013. Effects of cold stress and heat stress on coral fluorescence in reef-building corals. Scientific Reports, 3, article 1421. http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130312/srep01421/full/srep01421.html
Zawada, David G., and Jules S. Jaffe, 2003. Changes in the fluorescence of the Caribbean coral Montastraea faveolata during heat-induced bleaching. Limnol. Oceanogr., 48:412-425. http://aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_48/issue_1_part_2/0412.pdf

> Thanks in advance for your answers!
> 
> Warm regards,
> 
> Barbara Gratzer MSc
> ~~~ ?^^?> ~~~
> Resident Marine biologist
> Huvafen Fushi Resort
> Republic of Maldives
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
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