Contact- and Water-Mediated Interactions With an Allelopathic Macroalga Drive Distinct Coral Microbiome and Metabolome.
Macroalgae pose a grave threat to coral reefs, but corals fight back! This study reveals how corals' microbiome and metabolism adapt to defend against the allelopathic macroalga Dictyota, with colony-wide metabolic responses preserving coral health.
This study conducted a field experiment to investigate how the allelopathic macroalga Dictyota affects the microbiome and metabolism of the coral Pocillopora acuta. Direct contact with Dictyota caused localized tissue damage and shifts in the coral microbiome, favoring harmful over beneficial bacteria. However, the coral's metabolome responded colony-wide, suggesting an adaptive defense mechanism to maintain homeostasis against macroalgal competition. These findings enhance our understanding of coral-macroalgal interactions and the resilience strategies of the coral holobiont.