Regulation of microbial populations by coral surface mucus and mucus-associated bacteria

Caribbean populations of the elkhorn coral Acropora palmata have declined due to environmental stress, bleaching, and disease. Potential sources of coral mortality include invasive microbes that become trapped in the surface mucus and thrive under conditions of increased coral stress. In this study, mucus from healthy A. palmata inhibited growth of potentially invasive microbes by up to 10-fold. Among cultured bacteria from the mucus of A. palmata, 20% displayed antibiotic activity against one or more tester strains, including the pathogen implicated in white pox disease. A novel mucusmediated selection for coral symbionts revealed a discrete subset of bacteria and selected for isolates that produce…

• MM
  Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
• NC
  Nature Conservancy
• NO
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• UG
  U.S. Geological Survey
• NP
  National Park Service