Nanodelivery of lipids to coral larvae maximises post-settlement survival: Implications for larval ecology and reef restoration.

Boulotte, N. M.; Rudd, D.; Harrison, P. L.; Humphrey, C.; Benkendorff, K.

doi:10.1101/2023.12.20.572712

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.12.20.572712

Nanodelivery of lipids to coral larvae maximises post-settlement survival: Implications for larval ecology and reef restoration.

Boulotte, N. M.·Rudd, D.·Harrison, P. L.·Humphrey, C.·Benkendorff, K.

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Abstract

Interest in reef restoration is increasing as coral mortality has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. However, high mortality rates of coral early-life stages represent a population bottleneck, which directly impacts the effectiveness of restoration projects. While most coral larvae are considered lecithotrophic and catabolise maternally transmitted lipids to meet metabolic demands; here we demonstrate that coral larvae can be facultative feeders. We used nanoparticles to deliver triacylglycerides to aposymbiotic larvae which resulted in a 30% increase in larval energetic lipids, and a 46% increase in survival rate, up to 16 weeks post-settlement. Changes in phospholipid molecular species in the larvae suggest phagocytosis of the nanoparticles, and an increase in free fatty acids indicates lipolysis of the phagocytosed triacylglycerides. We suggest that a continuum of nutritional strategies should be recognised in coral early-life stages, and that nanoparticles can be used by restoration practitioners to deliver nutritional resources to maximise restoration outcomes.

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Boulotte, N. M., Rudd, D., Harrison, P. L., Humphrey, C., Benkendorff, K.. 2023-12-21. Nanodelivery of lipids to coral larvae maximises post-settlement survival: Implications for larval ecology and reef restoration.. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.12.20.572712

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