Photoendosymbiosis of the Blue Subtropical Montipora Corals of Norfolk Island, South Pacific.

Abstract

Corals exhibit complex and diverse relationships with dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae. Montiporid corals within Norfolk Island's shallow water lagoonal reef systems have been observed to turn a deep fluorescent blue during winter, suggesting potential environmentally driven changes to their photoendosymbiosis. Here, we investigate the photoendosymbiosis of blue Montipora sp. corals over a year-long study, demonstrating that photosynthetic yield and Symbiodiniaceae densities vary seasonally, with the lowest photosynthetic yield occurring within winter periods. We also provide the first characterisation of Symbiodiniaceae species associated with corals from Norfolk Island, identifying blue Montipora sp. as predominantly associating with Cladocopium (formerly Clade C) genotypes (C3aap, C3ig, and C3aao). Finally, we also report on the impact of recent bleaching conditions (March 2024) on blue Montipora sp. photoendosymbiosis and find the genera is susceptible to increasing sea surface temperatures. Our findings provide insight into the unique biology of subtropical corals within this remote reef and the susceptibility of corals in the region to increasing sea surface temperatures.