MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Population Dynamics: Symbiodinium population initial sampling conditions in corals of Moorea

These data consist of sample collection locations and conditions only, not the
results of sequencing. These data were an initial collection of an expected time series which was not repeated.
Clade data derived from the sample collection described here are archived on GeoSymbio. Coral are symbiotic with photosynthetic dinoflagellates from the genus
Symbiodinium. There are eight divergent clades (A-H) within the genus which each
contain many genetic varieties. Different types of Symbiodinium have been shown to
affect the growth rate and thermal tolerance of the coral. The diversity and
population structure of Symbiodinium on a reef and how it changes over time is
therefore critical to the stability and resilience of coral reefs. Our research
conducted through the MCR LTER project aims at defining the population structure of
Symbiodinium present in the corals of Moorea and documenting changes over
time. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under
Grant No. OCE 16-37396 (and earlier awards) as well as a generous gift from the Gordon and
Betty Moore Foundation. Research was completed under permits issued by the French Polynesian
Government (Délégation à la Recherche) and the Haut-commissariat de la République en
Polynésie Francaise (DTRT) (Protocole d'Accueil 2005-2022). This work represents a
contribution of the Moorea Coral Reef (MCR) LTER Site.