Multi-copy genes extend the adaptation potential of reef corals to environmental stress.

Researchers found that instead of using a single gene to control the production of sunscreening pigments, corals use multiple copies of the same gene. Depending on how many genes are active, the corals will become more or less colourful.

Prof. Jörg Wiedenmann, Head of the University’s Coral Reef Laboratory and leader of the Grand Challenge Research theme Global Change – Systems and Cycles at the Institute of Life Sciences, says: “It was one of the longstanding mysteries of coral reef biology – why sometimes individuals of the same coral species can show such dramatic differences in their colour, despite sitting side-by-side on the reef and being exposed to the same environmental conditions. The key finding is that these so-called ‘colour morphs’ do not use just one single gene to control the pigment production but multiple identical copies thereof.”

The research, which is published in Molecular Ecology, also explained how this strategy could help corals to survive in stressful environments.

For the study, the scientists from the University of Southampton worked together with colleagues from the University of New South Wales in Australia and University of Ulm in Germany.

Prof. Wiedenmann comments: “Our partners at the Medical Center Ulm have applied techniques which they usually use in their cancer research to provide evidence that we have isolated the parts of the coral gene that are responsible for the regulation of the pigment production.”

Using the staghorn coral Acropora millepora as a model, the team found that the fluorescent pigments that are mostly responsible for coral colours act as sunscreens for the symbiotic algae that live in the coral tissue. These alga require light to produce sugars which they can contribute to the nutrition of the corals in return for the shelter and the supply of nutrients that are provided by the coral host.

However, the light intensities on coral reefs can exceed on occasions the levels that are healthy for the alga and the light becomes dangerous for the symbiotic partnership. This light stress can ultimately contribute to the loss of the symbiotic algae, a process known as coral bleaching. If the partnership cannot be re-established, the corals often die.

Prof. Wiedenmann explains: “Corals are firmly attached to the substrate so they can’t just move in the shade when they receive too much sunlight. Instead, they need to boost their capacity to cope with too much sun during these times. We show that increased light levels switch the genes on that are responsible for the production of the colourful sunscreening pigments. This is why corals are usually more colourful in the most light exposed colony parts.”

However, the enhanced protection comes at a cost and the corals need to allocate substantial energy reserves to accumulate the high amounts of protein pigments that are characteristically found in brightly coloured corals. This energy might be divided away from other important processes, resulting potentially in reduced growth rates or lower numbers of offspring. Therefore, being brightly colour might not be a good investment for corals settling in less light exposed parts of the reefs.

Prof. Wiedenmann says: “The genetic framework provided by gene copy number variation ensures that some individuals within a coral population can protect themselves very well, these are likely to survive better in stressful environments. Others are less protected but can invest their energy in processes that could help them to succeed in habitats with less light stress. The resulting colour polymorphism increases the potential of the coral species to extend their distribution range along the steep light gradients of coral reefs and to inhabit more ecological niches.