A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the heart of the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef and unique reefs systems of the Coral Sea and Lord Howe Island, leading to a greater understanding of how the world heritage-listed landmark is protected.
An international team of marine scientists, led by Griffith University, has identified and officially named four species of algae new to science, challenging previous taxonomical assumptions within the Porolithon genus. The discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the ecological role of these algae in the coral reef ecosystem.
Research Team leader Associate Professor Guillermo Diaz-Pulido from Griffith’s Coastal and Marine Research Centre said Porolithon, a genus of crustose coralline algae, has been long recognized for its crucial ecological significance.
“These algae are responsible for cementing the delicate frameworks of coral reefs, sustaining marine biodiversity in the shallow margins of tropical and subtropical waters.”
Traditionally, branched, fruticose Porolithon specimens found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean were identified as Porolithon gardineri, while the massive, columnar forms were known as P. craspedium.
However, the recent study conducted by scientists from Griffith, James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the USA and Korea revealed a remarkable discovery: neither P. gardineri nor P. craspedium was present in the eastern Australian waters. Instead, these specimens have been found to belong to four distinct genetic lineages.
The four newly discovered species have been officially named as follows:
“In addition to their unique DNA sequences, these new species can be distinguished based on a combination of features, including their thallus growth form, margin shape (attached or unattached), and internal anatomy,” said Dr Soyoung Jeong, first author of the study.
“This important discovery challenges our understanding of the algae within the Porolithon genus, emphasizing the need for further exploration and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and its unique inhabitants,” Associate Professor Diaz-Pulido said.
The discovery of these new species not only adds to the rich biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef and other remote coral reef areas, but also highlights the importance of continuous research and conservation efforts.
Porolithon species are very sensitive to the impacts of ocean acidification and warming, and it is urgent that we recognise and document this diversity given the potential risks of losing this diversity to climate change.
“We can’t protect what we don’t know,” Associate Professor Diaz-Pulido said.
“These findings are crucial for preserving and protecting the delicate balance of this unique and fragile ecosystem.”
Reference: “New branched Porolithon species (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and Lord Howe Island” by So Young Jeong, Paul W. Gabrielson, Jeffery R. Hughey, Andrew S. Hoey, Tae Oh Cho, Muhammad A. Abdul Wahab and Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, 28 September 2023, Journal of Phycology.
DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13387
The study was funded by the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), with support from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Parks Australia. The study was also supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the specimens have been deposited in the Queensland Herbarium.
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