As coral reefs continue to experience decline from human-related stressors, the countless species that depend upon them for food and shelter are likely to follow, constituting a loss of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Though laboratory studies of corals remain difficult, promising model organisms may hold...
The symbiotic sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana (Aiptasia) is a model organism used to better understand cnidarian-algal symbiosis and coral bleaching (dysbiosis). Many biological processes are hypothesized to be involved in coral dysbiosis, and the innate immunity is a key area of interest. Rab proteins are small proteins with GTPase domains,...
The sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima is a model organism for the study of temperate symbiosis. Anthopleura elegantissima can engage in symbiosis with two different algal symbionts: the dinoflagellate Breviolum muscatinei and the chlorophyte Elliptochloris marina. One host enzyme that has been shown to be important in cnidarian-algal symbioses is carbonic...
Plethodontid salamanders have served as an informative vertebrate system for studying the role of chemical signals in facilitating social and reproductive behaviors. Individuals produce complex mixtures of chemicals from multiple glandular regions. In total, these secretions convey a wide variety of information, and are important for numerous inter- and intraspecific...
The Pacific coast sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima is an excellent model organism for the study of temperate symbiosis due to its unique relationship with two microalgal symbionts, Elliptochloris marina and Symbiodinium spp. In addition to hosting one or both of these symbionts, A. elegantissima can live aposymbiotically, allowing for the...
Cnidarians, such as corals and sea anemones serve as hosts to a variety of organisms including symbiotic dinoflagellates, bacteria, virus, and apicomplexans. As corals are vital to the health and productivity of the reef ecosystem it is important to understand how these organisms interact with each component of the holobiont....
The Hawaiian Archipelago is a biologically diverse environment with dynamic interactions between human and biological populations. Political, social, and scientific communities are placing importance on sustainable management of fisheries resources throughout the islands. Many economically important bottomfish in Hawaii have declined in population size due to anthropogenic and environmental pressures....
The tropical sea anemone, Aiptasia sp., is a model organism within the phylum cnidaria, a group that includes globally threatened corals which are the bio-engineers of coral reefs.
Aiptasia reproduce both sexually, in a process known as spawning, and asexually, mainly through a process known as pedal laceration. During spawning,...
Corals form the foundation for coral reef ecosystems and contain symbiotic dinoflagellates which greatly contribute to reef primary productivity. Loss of dinoflagellates from animal (host) cells results in cnidarian bleaching which leads to decreased coral fitness, and reef deterioration. Elevated temperature, caused by global warming, is the primary environmental stressor...