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Scientific Insights

Explore our latest research and findings that drive marine conservation and innovation. From groundbreaking studies to insightful reviews, our publications reflect our commitment to advancing marine science and policy.

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Coral probiotics induce tissue-specific and putative beneficial microbiome restructuring in a coral-dwelling fish

by Joao G. D. Rosado, Nathalia Delgadillo-Ordoñez, Matteo Monti, Viktor Nunes Peinemann, Chakkiath Paul Antony, Ahmed Alsaggaf, Inês Raimundo, Darren Coker, Neus Garcias-Bonet, Francisca C García, Raquel S Peixoto, Susana Carvalho, Michael L. Berumen
Research article Year: 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycaf052

Abstract

The ongoing fourth mass global coral bleaching event reinforces the need for active solutions to support corals through this major crisis. The use of beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) offers a promising nature-based solution to rehabilitate coral’s dysbiotic microbiomes. While the benefits to corals are increasingly recognized, the impacts on associated reef organisms, such as fish, remain unexplored. This study investigated the effects of BMCs on the tissue-associated microbiomes of Dascyllus abudafur (Pomacentridae), a damselfish that lives closely associated with coral colonies. Over three months, we applied BMCs three times per week to healthy Pocillopora verrucosa colonies in the central Red Sea and analyzed the resultant changes in the inhabiting fish’s microbiomes. Our findings reveal significant, tissue-specific shifts in bacterial communities, particularly skin and gut, with moderate changes observed in gills. Notably, putative fish beneficial bacteria such as Mitsuokella spp. were enriched in the skin, while various Firmicutes taxa increased in the gut. There was also a marked decrease in potential fish pathogens. This study highlights the potential extended benefits of BMCs on coral reef fish and sets a foundation for understanding the broader ecological interactions between BMCs and reef-associated organisms.
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