Fireworms are a reservoir and potential vector for coral-infecting apicomplexans

Abstract

Corals (Cnidaria; Anthozoa) play critical roles as habitat-forming species with a wide range, from warm tropical to cold deep-sea environments. Here, we characterize the eukaryome of fireworms (Hermodice carunculata), a coral predator, and explore potential transmission routes of microeukaryotes between predator and coral prey. Our results reveal a diverse microeukaryotic community associated with fireworms, including several taxa also found in corals, suggesting potential bidirectional transmission of microeukaryotes between these organisms.

Anthony Bonacolta

PhD Student · Now Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of British Columbia

My current research focuses on understanding the roles of micro-eukaryotes and bacteria in marine organisms. Initially, I will be researching the coral holobiont during bleaching from a single-cell perspective.

Bradley Weiler

PhD Student · Now Postdoctoral Fellow at NOAA

My current research combination of molecular techniques (SSU rRNA amplicon sequencing), traditional culturing and microscopy, and imaging (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) will be used in an attempt to finally uncover the causative agents of various coral diseases.

Javier del Campo

Group Leader

My research aims at understanding the global diversity and distribution of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes employing curated phylogenetic frameworks focusing on novel environmental taxa.