Role of bacterial-zooxanthellae symbiosis and gene transfer in coral reef resilience, year 2 continuation : interim report (May 1 - October 15, 2010).

Abstract

This report covers the characterization of bacterial symbionts of zooxanthellae, especially Roseobacteriales. Roseobacters transfer DNA at a high frequency to indiginous bacterioplankton, and this study examines whether up to half of the bacteria present in the marine environment may receive gene sequences from Roseobacter associated GTAs and that GTAs participate in horizontal gene transfer in the oceans. The study also discusses GTAs as a major force in microbial evolution and that Roseobacteria-derived GTAs may potentially increase coral larvae settlement success.