A paleogenomic approach to reconstruct historical responses of coral reefs to anthropogenic change

Abstract

Coral reefs are declining worldwide due to anthropogenic environmental change. The foundation and health of these ecosystems rely on the harmonious functioning of all members of coral holobionts, i.e., cnidarian host, symbiotic microalgae, and associated microbiome. Coral stress responses often involve shifts in the taxonomic identity of their symbionts and microbiomes. Tracing back changes in coral holobiont composition over prolonged time periods can help us reconstruct health history of reefs and gain a better understanding of coral response to current stressors. Here, we focused on a major Caribbean reef-builder coral, Orbicella faveolata, from Varadero Reef, Colombia. This reef has undergone extensive freshwater sediment discharge and pollution for decades as result of urbanization. We show, for the first time, that paleogenomic and paleoclimatic approaches can be combined to reconstruct historical coral holobiont dynamics potentially associated with anthropogenic disturbances.