Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet, but are under serious threat from global climate change and disease. Corals are animals that have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae as well as thousands of other kinds of microbes, known collectively as the coral microbiome. Researchers are finding that these microbes play an important role in coral health, and a recent study conducted by Three Seas Program alumnus Nathaniel Chu and Associate Professor Steven Vollmer gives us a greater understanding of the structure and variation in a healthy coral microbiome.

In the study, published in the journal Environmental Microbiology Reports, the researchers characterized microbes found in over 100 healthy coral colonies from six different Caribbean coral species. Results indicated that while each species had a distinct assemblage of microbes, some microbe species occurred across all of the coral species studied. Additionally, Chu (now pursuing graduate studies at MIT) and Vollmer found that more evolutionarily related coral species had more similar bacterial communities, and that some microbes found in the Caribbean also occur in Pacific corals, indicating that the core microbiome of healthy coral may span between oceans.

Researching the coral microbiome is especially important not only because some coral diseases are caused by microbes, but also because it can help give scientists insight into future coral disease susceptibility. The results of this study will help researchers better understand the microbial aspect of coral disease, to work towards conservation strategies for these important, habitat-building animals.