Coral reef microbiome Raw sequence reads. Coral reef microbiome

Coral reefs are threatened by worldwide disease and bleaching events due to rising temperatures and anthropogenic impacts. Recent studies suggest the ability of corals to resist disease is dependent on maintaining a healthy microbiome, the so-called holobiont. Using minimally invasive in situ water sampling, we show that the corals Acropora and Platygyra harbor unique bacterial communities and metabolites at their surface, distinctly different from surrounding seawater. The surface metabolites released by the holobiont create concentration gradients that extend up to 5 cm away from the coral surface. These molecules are identified as microbial chemo-attractants, antibacterials, and infochemicals, suggesting that cumulatively these molecules may structure coral surface-associated microbial communities. Further, we detect surface associated metabolites characteristic of healthy or white band disease infected corals, which may serve as a minimally invasive, early disease detection indicators. Improved knowledge of the chemical ecology of corals will increase our chances of supporting dwindling reefs worldwide.