Data from Stranger Things: Organismal traits of two octocorals associated with singular Symbiodiniaceae in a high-latitude coral community from northern Taiwan

Scrutinizing the traits of octocorals that could affect their physiological performance becomes increasingly important as several of these species are observed to become dominant on reefs pressured by the Anthropocene. In the present study, we compare the organismal traits of two branching octocorals Litophyton sp. and Stereonephthya sp. commonly populating in sympatry the high-latitude coral communities of northern Taiwan. Using 13 traits, we describe and compare performance traits in these two symbiotic species that we discuss in light of the association they maintain with their algal partners. Litophyton sp. and Stereonephthya sp. hosted Durusdinium and Gerakladium, respectively. Both genera represent singular associations, with the latter further establishing the first solid report of Gerakladium in octocorals. Traits distinguished two groups explained by the two partnerships considered. Litophyton sp. associated with Durusdinium had significantly higher organic matter, chlorophyll ...