Associated bacterial profiles in Porites lutea tissues affected by pink pigmentation response (PPR)

This study describes the changes in associated bacteria in the coral Porites lutea showing pink pigmentation response (PPR) using Metagenomic approach. Bacterial communities were isolated from healthy tissues of P. lutea, affected by PPR and recovered from PPR. Also samples isolated from surrounding waters and sediment were analyzed. Sediment samples showed higher diversity, followed by coral tissues showing PPR signs. Unclassified bacteria, particularly the bacteria CAB-I, BB2H16SI and Alphaproteobacteria, especially Methylobacterium predominated in PPR tissues. In contrast, Gammaproteobacteria, especially Endozoicomonas predominated in healthy tissues. We propose to use Endozoicomonas, CAB-I, BB2H16S and Methylobacterium as biomarkers to explore the progress and occurrence of PPR in P. lutea.