A molecular biomarker system for assessing the health of coral (Montastraea faveolata) during heat stress

Using a novel molecular biomaker system (MBS), we assessed the physiologica l status of coral (Montastraea faveolata) challenged by heat stress by assa ying specific cellular and molecular parameters. This technology is particu larly relevant for corals because heat stress is thought to be an essential component of coral bleaching. This phenomenon is widely believed to be res ponsible for coral mortality worldwide, particularly during 1997-1998. Spec ific parameters of coral cellular physiology were assayed using the MBS tha t are indicative of a nonstressed or stressed condition. The MBS distinguis hed the separate and combined effects of heat and light on the 2 coral symb ionts, a sclerctinian coral and a dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae). Thi s technology aids in the accurate diagnosis of coral condition because each parameter is physiologically well understood. Finally, the MBS technology is relatively inexpensive, easy to implement, and precise, and it can be qu ickly adapted to a high-throughout robotic system for mass sample analysis.