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Localization of endobacteria in the gastrodermis of a Mediterranean gorgonian coral, Paramuricea clavata, using fluorescence in situ hybridization

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Abstract

Gorgonian corals are among the most representative species of hard-bottom sublittoral ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. The red gorgonian, Paramuricea clavata, harbors a specific, spatially and temporally stable bacterial community that may have an important biological role in the function of the holobiont. However, little is known about the microbial–gorgonian relationship, specifically the nature of the interaction established by the bacteria with their host. Documenting the distribution of microorganisms within coral tissue compartments is critical for providing an overall framework for understanding their functional roles. Here, we used histology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect and localize bacteria in the tissues of P. clavata. Aggregates of tightly packed bacteria were found in the endoderm of the polyps, which is consistent with previous observations of endobacteria in the tissues of scleractinian coral species. This finding suggests the existence of an intimate biological integration between specific members of the microbiota and gorgonian corals that likely results from a complex interplay mediating recognition and maintenance of the bacterial associates. In addition to providing the basis for the development of FISH studies in gorgonians, this work includes the first histological description of the inner structure of P. clavata polyps, illustrating the typical features of general gorgonian anatomy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mathieu Fallet, Fanny Baudimont and Lionel Chasson (Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy) for their assistance with the preparation of the histological samples and confocal microscopy. We are grateful to Christian Tamburini (Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography) for providing access to the laboratory facilities used during this study. We also thank Esther Peters (George Mason University) for her valuable guidance throughout the analysis of histological sections and Joaquim Garrabou (Institut de Ciencies del Mar—CSIC) for his constant interest and encouragement, and Chantal Bézac, Jean-Baptiste Raina and Marc Tedetti for improving the FISH protocol. Finally, we thank the scientific divers of the OSU Pythéas Institute for their assistance with the sample collection.

Funding

This study was funded by the Total Foundation for Marine Biodiversity (Grant Number DN2024Y9TOTAL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Marseille, France

    Marie La Rivière, Marc Garel & Marc Bally

  2. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Service du Patrimoine Naturel, CP41, 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005, Paris, France

    Marie La Rivière

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  1. Marie La Rivière
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  2. Marc Garel
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Correspondence to Marc Bally.

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Responsible Editor: L.D. Mydlarz.

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La Rivière, M., Garel, M. & Bally, M. Localization of endobacteria in the gastrodermis of a Mediterranean gorgonian coral, Paramuricea clavata, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Mar Biol 163, 206 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-016-2975-y

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