The effects of dissolved organic matter supplements on the metabolism of corals under heat stress

Octocorals represent a major alternative group in the benthic community of reefs that have diverged from hexacoral dominance. Despite their phototrophic symbionts, supplementing their diet with heterotrophic sources may promote their growth, particularly when compared to hexacorals in bleaching conditions. However, limited comprehensive data exists on octocorals' trophic ecology, especially regarding their ability to feed on dissolved organic matter (DOM), which comprises the largest pool of organic matter in reefs. This study aims to investigate the ability of two octocorals (Sarcophyton glaucum and Lobophytum sp.) to feed on DOM and compare this ability to that of hexacorals, such as Stylophora pistillata and Turbinaria reniformis. The study measured the net fluxes of DOM under varying DOM concentrations and under heat stress. The results demonstrate that all coral species were net producers of DOM at ambient concentrations, but became net consumers once seawater was supplemented with..., , , # **Data from : The effects of dissolved organic matter supplements on the metabolism of corals under heat stress**

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.np5hqc00m](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.np5hqc00m)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset includes data contained within the paper \"The effects of dissolved organic matter supplements on the metabolism of corals under heat stress\".

**1.** Title of Dataset: Data from : The effects of dissolved organic matter supplements on the metabolism of corals under heat stress

**2.** Study location: Aquarium experiment at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco

**3.** Date of study: 2022

**4.** Treatments: two temperature treatments (control at 26°C, heat stress at 30°C) with four species (*Sarcophyton glaucum, Lobophytum sp., Stylophora pistillata, Turbinaria reniformis*)

**5.** File structure

One big data file has been provided containing several sheets. The first sheet « Physiology » and the second sheet « Tissue content...