Symbiodinium

We're here not for sun and fun, like most of the pale-skinned tourists lounging nearby, but to investigate the ecology and evolution of corals and the symbiotic algae, known as Symbiodinium, that inhabit their cells.

Penn State Live 2009

This light microscopy photo shows Symbiodinium zooxanthellae cultured from rice coral.

Global warming takes a toll on coral reefs 2009

It is possible that some strains of Symbiodinium are more temperature-tolerant, and may replace the less tolerant strains, enabling more corals to survive climate change.

Zooxanthellae 2008

Zooxanthellae are microscopic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium spp.) that live inside the tissues of larger animals, mostly corals.

Zooxanthellae 2008

Not only are the researchers concerned that "seeding" reefs with algae, like Symbiodinium trenchi, will fail to "rescue" animals that are born with algae already in their cells, but he also is concerned about possible negative repercussions.

Scientific Blogging News Account 2010

Called Symbiodinium trenchi, the species is a generalist organism -- one that is able to associate with a variety of hosts.

Scientific Blogging News Account 2010

"Symbiodinium trenchi and other related symbiont species can tolerate this warm water, but if global warming causes the water to warm further, even these species might not be able to deal with it," LaJeunesse said.

Scientific Blogging News Account 2010

Symbiodinium population densities to the seasonal dynamics of solar insolation (a resource) and seawater temperature.

PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles Robert van Woesik et al. 2010

"Symbiodinium trenchi forms symbiotic associations only with corals and other animals that acquire their symbionts from the environment," LaJeunesse said.

Scientific Blogging News Account 2010

"Symbiodinium trenchi, which normally occurs in very low numbers in the Caribbean, was able to take advantage of the warming event and become more prolific because of its apparent tolerance of high temperatures," he said.

Scientific Blogging News Account 2010