Investigating Physiological Variability Across Different
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INVESTIGATING PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY ACROSS DIFFERENT ALGAL AND CNIDARIAN SYMBIOSES: POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE by Kenneth D. Hoadley A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Studies Summer 2016 © 2016 Kenneth D. Hoadley All Rights Reserved ProQuest Number: 10191664 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ProQuest 10191664 Published by ProQuest LLC ( 2016 ). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 INVESTIGATING PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY ACROSS DIFFERENT ALGAL AND CNIDARIAN SYMBIOSES: POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE by Kenneth D. Hoadley Approved: __________________________________________________________ Mark A. Moline, Ph.D. Director of the School of Marine Science and Policy Approved: __________________________________________________________ Mohsen Badiey, Ph.D. Acting Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Approved: __________________________________________________________ Ann L. Ardis, Ph.D. Senior Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Mark E. Warner, Ph.D. Professor in charge of dissertation I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Adam G. Marsh, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Kathryn J. Coyne, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ David J. Suggett, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are numerous individuals that I would like to thank for their help and efforts during my time at the University of Delaware. I am most indebted to my advisor Mark E Warner whom over the past five years has provided me with solid guidance and countless opportunities for additional professional development. I would also like to acknolwdge members of my committee, Kathryn Coyne, Dave Suggett and especially Adam G. Marsh for their help and insight during my dissertation. I would also like to thank Tye Pettay and Tom Hawkins along with numerous other collegues with whom I have had the opportunity to work with over the past few years. Much of the work we do is only successful through collaborations with multiple collegues and their help and efforts have contributed to the work presented here. During my time in Delaware I have had the good fortune to meet my wife Elizabeth Baker and I thank her along with her family for the support they have provided me over the past few years. Lastly I would like to thank my two sisters and my parents for all that they have done for me over the years. I thank my mother, who pushed me to always do the best I could, leading by example and never allowing me to settle for less than perfection. I thank my father for continually being a role model and providing me with the support and means to pursue my interests. I could not have asked for a better set of parents. To them I dedicate my dissertation. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................ xiii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ xvi Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Climate Impacts on Coral Reefs ........................................................... 1 1.2 Symbiodinium Genetic and Physiological Diversity ............................ 4 1.3 Host Influence on Symbiont Physiology .............................................. 7 1.4 Epigenetic Approaches to Coral Research ............................................ 8 1.5 Research Chapters ............................................................................... 10 2 PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURE AND pCO2 VARIES ACROSS FOUR PACIFIC CORAL SPECIES: UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE HOST+SYMBIONT RESPONSE ... 13 2.1 Abstract ............................................................................................... 13 2.2 Introduction ......................................................................................... 14 2.3 Materials and Methods ........................................................................ 17 2.3.1 Experimental Design ............................................................... 17 2.3.2 Symbiont Photophysiology ..................................................... 19 2.3.3 Host and Symbiont Physiology ............................................... 19 2.3.4 Targeted Host and Symbiont Gene Expression ...................... 21 2.3.5 Statistical Analysis .................................................................. 24 2.4 Results ................................................................................................. 25 2.4.1 Symbiont Identification .......................................................... 25 2.4.2 Multivariate Analysis (ANOSIM & SIMPER) ....................... 25 2.4.3 Photosynthesis and Respiration .............................................. 26 2.4.4 Patterns of Symbiont Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids and Cellular Volume ...................................................................... 27 2.4.5 Host Soluble Protein, Carbohydrates and Lipid Content ........ 28 v 2.4.6 Gene Expression Patterns in Hosts and Symbionts ................ 29 2.5 Discussion ........................................................................................... 30 3 HIGH TEMPERATURE ACCLIMATION STRATEGIES WITHIN THE THERMALLY TOLERANT ENDOSYMBIONT SYMBIODINIUM TRENCHII AND ITS CORAL HOST, TURBINARIA RENIFORMIS, DIFFER WITH CHANGING pCO2 AND NUTRIENTS ........................... 48 3.1 Abstract ............................................................................................... 48 3.2 Introduction ......................................................................................... 49 3.3 Materials and Methods ........................................................................ 52 3.3.1 Experimental Design .............................................................. 52 3.3.2 Symbiont Identification ......................................................... 56 3.3.3 Symbiont Photophysiology .................................................... 56 3.3.4 Host and Symbiont Physiology .............................................. 58 3.4.5 Calcification Rates ................................................................. 59 3.4.6 Statistical Analysis ................................................................. 59 3.4 Results ................................................................................................. 60 3.4.1 Symbiont Identification ......................................................... 60 3.4.2 Multivariate Analysis ............................................................. 61 3.4.3 Symbiont Physiology ............................................................. 61 3.4.4 Holobiont Physiology ............................................................ 61 3.4.5 Photochemistry ...................................................................... 62 3.5 Discussion ........................................................................................... 63 3.5.1 Symbiont Physiology ............................................................. 63 3.5.2 Holobiont Physiology ............................................................ 66 3.5.3 Symbiont Photophysiology .................................................... 67 3.5.4 Conclusion ............................................................................. 69 4 CONTRASTING PHYSIOLOGICAL PLASTICITY IN RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS WITHIN DIFFERENT CNIDARIANS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SYMBIONTS ............................................... 78 4.1 Abstract ............................................................................................... 78 4.2 Introduction ........................................................................................