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Trophic ecology of Caribbean octocorals: autotrophic and heterotrophic seasonal trends

2020-04Journal article Restricted
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dc.contributor.authorRossi, Sergio
dc.contributor.authorSchubert, Nadine
dc.contributor.authorBrown, Darren
dc.contributor.authorGonzalez-Posada, Alba
dc.contributor.authorSoares, Marcelo O.
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-24T11:35:53Z
dc.date.available2021-06-24T11:35:53Z
dc.date.issued2020-04
dc.description.abstractStudies over the past decades indicate that octocorals are becoming the dominant group in some areas of the Caribbean. Yet, basic knowledge about the trophic ecology of these organisms and their seasonal and species-specific variability is still scarce, though this might play a key role in determining their importance in benthic-pelagic coupling processes and, consequently, their role in carbon cycles. In the present study, two Caribbean gorgonian species (Plexaurella nutans and Pterogorgia anceps) were studied during an annual cycle, to assess seasonal variations in their reliance on heterotrophic versus autotrophic energy inputs. Zooplankton capture rates and bulk tissue stable isotopes were measured on a monthly basis to assess heterotrophic energy input, while autotrophic contribution was quantified monthly by Symbiodiniaceae cell densities and pigment contents, accompanied by seasonal measurements on Symbiodiniaceae (Breviolum sp.) photosynthetic performance and host respiratory demand. The results show that while autotrophy was the main energy source for both species, there was also a non-neglectable input through zooplankton that accounted for 0.2-0.8% and 0.7-3.4% of the energy demands in P. nutans and P. anceps, respectively. Our data further demonstrate that there are species-specific and seasonal differences in the contributions of these two nutrition modes, though there is no indication of shifts in the predominant mode during the year in either species. The energy inputs resulted in a positive energy balance throughout the year, with an energy surplus available for somatic growth, gonads, and/or energy reserves (e.g., lipids). However, the seasonal patterns differed between species, a feature that is most likely related to the different reproduction periods of the octocorals. Altogether, the information gathered here serves for a better understanding of the trophic ecology of mixotrophic octocorals and the seasonal variability of the nutritional modes that will define their potential impact in the carbon cycle and benthic-pelagic coupling processes of coral reefs.
dc.description.sponsorshipMarie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship (ANIMAL FOREST HEALTH) [327845]
dc.description.sponsorshipP-SPHERE (COFUND Marie Curie) [665919]
dc.description.sponsorshipConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico-CNPqConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPQ) [233808/2014-0, 307061/2017-5]
dc.description.sponsorshipCAPES PRINT ProgrammeCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)
dc.description.sponsorshipINCT AmbTropic
dc.description.sponsorshipAGAUR Generalitat de Catalunya excellence program (MERS) [2017 SGR 1588]
dc.description.sponsorshipICTA Maria de Maetzu "Unit of Excellence" (MinECo) [MDM2015-0552]
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00338-020-01906-w
dc.identifier.issn0722-4028
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/16567
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectAutotrophic versus heterotrophic input
dc.subjectBenthic-pelagic coupling
dc.subjectCaribbean
dc.subjectOctocoral
dc.subjectTrophic ecology
dc.subject.otherMarine & Freshwater Biology
dc.titleTrophic ecology of Caribbean octocorals: autotrophic and heterotrophic seasonal trends
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage449
oaire.citation.issue2
oaire.citation.startPage433
oaire.citation.titleCoral Reefs
oaire.citation.volume39
person.familyNameSchubert
person.givenNameNadine
person.identifierC-6179-2009
person.identifier.ciencia-id681C-F6E1-C2FD
person.identifier.orcid0000-0001-7161-7882
person.identifier.scopus-author-id15623791900
rcaap.rightsrestrictedAccess
rcaap.typearticle
relation.isAuthorOfPublication9ab23589-6456-42a6-8b08-4aa40d690330
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery9ab23589-6456-42a6-8b08-4aa40d690330

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