Biodiv Sci ›› 2008, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (5): 498-502.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2008.08074

• Original Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

PCR-RFLP analysis of large subunit rDNA of symbiotic dinoflagellates in scleractinian corals from Luhuitou fringing reef of Sanya, Hainan

Dong Zhijun1,2,3, Huang Hui1,*(), Huang Liangmin1, Li Yuanchao1, Li Xiubao1   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-resourses Sustainable Utilization, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301
    2 Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049
    3 Hainan National Experiment Station of Tropical Marine Biology, Sanya 572000
  • Received:2008-04-02 Accepted:2008-05-21 Online:2008-09-20 Published:2008-09-20
  • Contact: Huang Hui

Abstract:

The taxonomy of symbiotic dinoflagellates in scleractinian corals is important in understanding how coral reefs will respond to global climate change. We investigated the composition of the dinoflagellate genus Symbiodinium in 22 species of scleractinian corals from 14 genera and eight families in Luhuitou fringing reef of Sanya, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the large subunit rDNA and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The results showed that the dinoflagellate genus Symbiodinium clade C was dominant in the study area. Pocillopora damicornis and Favia favusharbor Symbiodinium Clade D, while Galaxea fascicularis and Acropora horrida can harbor more than one type of symbiont (Symbiodinium Clade C and D). Polymorphic symbiosis suggested that the flexibility of the symbiosis between corals and Symbiodinium. The large subunit rDNA polymorphisms of symbiotic dinoflagellates was lower. Further study is needed to investigate zooxanthellae diversity using other molecular markers.

Key words: South China Sea, scleractinian corals, symbiotic dinoflagellates, DNA polymorphisms