Experimental Approaches for the Evaluation of Allelopathic Interactions Between Hermatypic Corals and Marine Benthic Cyanobacteria in the Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

Blooms of marine benthic cyanobacteria are recurrent in several locations at the Colombian Caribbean. In these events, cyanobacteria grow over the substrate and benthic organisms although their effect has not been fully assessed. This study evaluated interactions between cyanobacteria and hermatypic corals, in order to identify any deleterious effects that could be related to allelopathic mechanisms. Organic extracts from cyanobacteria collected in San Andres, Old Providence and Rosario islands were tested against embryos of the reef-building coral Orbicella annularis. The indirect effect of cyanobacterial extracts was also assessed by resuspending the extracts in seawater and monitoring polyp retraction and recovery of the coral Madracis mirabilis (=auretenra). Additionally, the effect of direct contact between cyanobacterial extracts and the coral Porites porites was assessed by incorporating cyanobacterial extracts into PhytagelTM gels and placed in direct contact with the coral. After 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure, chromatographic profiles of associated zooxanthellae was evaluated by HPLC. A deleterious effect on the zooxanthellae was evidenced by an increase in pheophytin, a degradation product from chlorophyll. The competitive abilities of algae and cyanobacteria should be considered as a constraint to reef restoration initiatives. Cyanobacteria have the ability to compete with corals due to their growth rates, defenses against herbivory and potentially allelopathic mechanisms.