Role of bacterial-zooxanthellae symbiosis and gene transfer in coral reef resilience, year 3 continuation: interim report (June 1 - November 15, 2011).

Abstract

This report is part of a continuing study describing the role of bacterial-zooxanthellae symbiosis and gene transfer in coral reef resilience. In particular, the main goal of this report was to describe through a combination of field efforts and physiological and gene expression based studies, the nature of the interaction between a-proteobacteria and zooxanthellae and how these interactions might contribute to coral reef resilience. Also, the report discusses the interaction of GTAs with a-proteobacteria zooxanthellae to facilitate coral larval settlement.