Reef corals as flexible multi-partner symbioses

Can reef corals change their symbionts in response to temperature variation? We can investigate this by studying reef coral symbioses over latitudinal and seasonal gradients. Do they contain different symbionts in the tropics compared to subtropical or temperate waters? How about during the summer compared to winter?

We might also consider monitoring how reef corals change symbionts over longer timescales to see what it reveals (if anything) about environmental change. One example of a cuurent project is an attempt to establish a long-term (150 year) record of symbiont community structure in the Florida Keys.

In short, we understand very little about how symbiont diversity translates into physiological flexibility and/or increased ability to withstand environmental fluctuations. One paradox to ponder in this context is why reef-building corals are so geologically long-lived despite the fact that they appear to be so environmentally fragile. Perhaps symbiont flexibility is part of the answer to this apparent inconguity...