First, we investigate differences in microbiome composition and structure according to the health status of three coral species. Secondly we examine whether colonies of Acropora tenuis and Montipora stellata, transplanted from oligotrophic to plankton-rich areas, alter their symbiotic populations over a 5-month period.
Finally, as part of the BLANCO project, we compare the symbiont populations of several coral species collected at Ilot Canard before and after thermal stress, in order to determine whether these populations remain stable or shift in response to thermal stress. Across all three objectives, we use high-throughput sequencing targeting the ITS2 (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2) region to link microbiome structure to the nutritional functions and resilience mechanisms of the coral holobiont in the context of ongoing climate change.
