Molluscan mutilation modifies mutualists microbiome

Corallivores have been shown to be associated with the spread of disease that can devastate coral habitats. This may be due to dysbiosis that reduces mutualistic microbes and allows pathogens to dominate. Understanding the complexity of these relationships could prove vital for conservation efforts.

This investigation examined coral mucus from un-grazed and Drupella-grazed Acroporids to assess if bacteromes and viromes would change. They found higher abundance and activity of bacteria and viruses in grazed, with bacterial pathogens dominating and viruses showed a shift from lysogenic to lytic pathways.

For bacterial community analysis simultaneous 16 ribosomal DNA barcoding was used for the first time in the context of corallivory. Virome analysis was less reliable as they used outdated metrics, but novel CRESS-DNA viruses were detected that have potential for further study. It remains vital that further study of this area continues as the pathways of disease are not yet fully recognised. To prevent disease and coral habitat loss a full understanding of the coral microbiome and its interactions with predators and the environment is required. As shown in this paper coral health may depend on associated microbes but if the balance tipped corrals may be lost.  

Bettarel, Yvan, et al. "Corallivory and the microbial debacle in two branching scleractinians." The ISME journal 12.4 (2018): 1109.