2015/01/07 by Janelle R. Thompson, Hanny E. Rivera, Collin J. Closek +1 · 4 citations
Environmental Science · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Marine and coastal plant biology #Marine Sponges and Natural Products
paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fcimb.2014.00176
openalex publication_date 2015/01/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
In the last two decades, genetic and genomic studies have revealed the astonishing diversity and ubiquity of microorganisms. Emergence and expansion of the human microbiome project has reshaped our thinking about how microbes control host health-not only as pathogens, but also as symbionts. In coral reef environments, scientists have begun to examine the role that microorganisms play in coral life history. Herein, we review the current literature on coral-microbe interactions within the context of their role in evolution, development, and ecology. We ask the following questions, first posed by McFall-Ngai et al. (2013) in their review of animal evolution, with specific attention to how coral-microbial interactions may be affected under future environmental conditions: (1) How do corals and their microbiome affect each other's genomes? (2) How does coral development depend on microbial partners? (3) How is homeostasis maintained between corals and their microbial symbionts? (4) How can ecological approaches deepen our understanding of the multiple levels of coral-microbial interactions? Elucidating the role that microorganisms play in the structure and function of the holobiont is essential for understanding how corals maintain homeostasis and acclimate to changing environmental conditions.