Microbial shifts associated to ENSO-derived thermal anomalies reveal coral acclimation at holobiont level

Research at Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary reveals that the microbiome of the sea fan Pacifigorgia cairnsi undergoes significant shifts during El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-derived thermal anomalies, suggesting coral acclimation to both warming and cooling phases. The study found that microbial community composition and functional profiles differed between extreme temperature phases (warming or cooling) and neutral conditions, with core members like Endozoicomonas and Mycoplasma driving these changes. These shifts indicate a potential mechanism for maintaining coral viability under thermal stress, acting as an extended phenotype that facilitates holobiont acclimation in unperturbed ecosystems like Malpelo, which lacks direct coastal anthropogenic impacts.

Montaño-Salazar, S., Quintanilla, E., & Sánchez, J. A. (2023). Microbial shifts associated to ENSO-derived thermal anomalies reveal coral acclimation at holobiont level. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49049-6