10.5061/DRYAD.FTTDZ08TS
Kramer, Netanel
0000-0001-5150-0732
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tamir, Raz
0000-0002-6988-2510
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Ben Zvi, Or
Tel Aviv University
Jacques, Steven
University of Washington
Loya, Yossi
0000-0001-6870-9444
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Wangpraseurt, Daniel
University of California, San Diego
Efficient lightâharvesting of mesophotic corals is facilitated by coral
optical traits
Dryad
dataset
2021
bio-optics
Ecophysiology
Light-Harvesting
mesophotic coral ecosystems
photobiology
Symbiosis
2021-10-27T00:00:00Z
2021-10-27T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13948
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5562467
160367557 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Sustained light-dependent coral reef communities can be found at a wide
range of light environments, extending from the sea level to as deep as
150 m (i.e., mesophotic). How mesophotic corals thrive despite extremely
limited light conditions still requires further investigation. Here, we
undertook a comprehensive ecophysiological and bio-optical study on four
depth-generalist coral species aiming to delineate the functional role
that optical trait-properties have in light-harvesting, at contrasting
light regimes. We show that the optical traits of coral skeletons are
adjusted to their ambient light conditions and complement the microalgal
demands for sufficient light, thus exhibiting a spatially efficient
photosymbiotic system. In contrast to shallow corals, mesophotic corals
absorbed up to three-fold more light, resulting in excellent
photosynthetic response under light conditions of only ~3% of the incident
surface irradiance. The enhanced light-harvesting capacity of mesophotic
corals was achieved by redistributing light in the coral skeleton through
optical scattering, thereby facilitating light transport and absorption by
densely pigmented host tissue. Our findings provide fundamental insight
into the light-harvesting mechanisms underlying the productivity of
mesophotic coral reef ecosystems, yet also raise concerns regarding their
ability to withstand prolonged environmental disturbances.