Aquarium Corals: Making Corals Colorful: New Information on Acropora species

by | Dec 12, 2012 | 0 comments

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Maintaining coral coloration is the goal of many reef hobbyists, but is often a source of frustration. Most hobby literature I’ve seen concerning the maintenance of coral coloration in captivity involves lighting (an important consideration!) but there is more to the story. This article will examine (according to latest theories) why light promotes coloration and how to increase your chances of success in maintaining these colors.

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Figure 1. The structure of a fluorescent protein -it is the basis of our understanding of how various factors can affect coral coloration. Drawing by the author.

This time, we’ll look at colors of some of the most popular reef aquarium coralsAcropora species (Family Acroporidae). There is a considerable amount of relatively new information presented in this article.

I have found that, in general, there are two types of hobbyists. One group – the majority, in my opinion, wants an easy answer to how to maintain color, and doesn’t particularly care about the ‘why’. On the other hand, a few have an insatiable appetite for every morsel of minutiae. Hence, I get comments about a particular article I’ve written ranging from ‘too technical’ to ‘not enough details’. If you’re in the former group, skip to the ‘In Closing’ section at the end of this article (although I would hope that you would at least scroll through the bullet points and should certainly be familiar with the Glossary contained within Step One, below). If you’re of the latter group, the details contained below will fall into place, and you’ll have a good understanding as to ‘why’ and ‘how’.

 

The Fluorescent Protein

Our understanding of coral coloration begins with the basic unit – the fluorescent protein. Originally isolated from the jellyfish (Aequoria victoria), the group of Green Fluorescent Proteins (GFPs) has expanded and now includes a number of taxa, many of them Anthozoans. However, the basic structure of the protein remains remarkably similar (see Figure 1, above). Bands (called staves) of proteins form a protective barrel around a fluorescent nucleus (called a fluorophore, shown as a green internal structure in the drawing). If the protein is not fluorescent (or very weakly so), this nucleus is called a chromophore. The individual amino acids forming these proteins usually number around 250. Some of these amino acids are charged, and these very weak ‘magnets’ tend to hold the structure intact. However, various factors (pH, light, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, metal ions, etc.) can alter the relationship between the charge of amino acids and the fluorophore/chromophore, thus causing it to twist (called a ‘hula twist’). In some cases, this causes an irreversible color change (perhaps from green to red), make the chromophore become a fluorescent fluorophore, cause fluorescence to vanish completely (in at least one case), and so on. The concept that the protein structure can be altered by external stimuli is an important one.

Our journey through the jungle of details begins.

 

Glossary

The following terms will be used in this article:

Absorbance
Ability of a solution or layer of a substance to retain light without reflection or transmission.
Absorption
The process in which incident radiation is retained without reflection or transmission.
Clade
For our purposes in this article, a grouping of pigments based on similar features inherited from a common ancestor. Pigments from corals includes Clades A, B, C (including sub-clades C1, C2 and C3), and D. Clades can refer to living organisms as well (clades of Symbiodinium – zooxanthellae – are a good example.)
Chromophore
The colorful but non-fluorescent portion of a pigment molecule. In some cases, chromophore refers to a granular packet containing many pigment molecules.
Emission
That light which is fluoresced by a fluorescent pigment.
Excitation
That light absorbed by a fluorescent pigment. Some of the excitation light is fluoresced or emitted at a less energetic wavelength (color).
Fluorescence
Absorption of radiation at one wavelength (or color) and emission at another wavelength (color). Absorption is also called excitation. Fluorescence ends very soon after the excitation source is removed (on the order of ~2-3 nanoseconds: Salih and Cox, 2006).
Fluorophore
A fluorescent portion of a pigment molecule.
‘Hula Twist’
A bending of a pigment molecule resulting in a change of apparent color. Molecular bonds are not broken; therefore the pigment can shift back and forth, with movements reminiscent of a hula dancer.
Photobleaching
Some pigments, such as Dronpa, loss fluorescence if exposed to strong light (in this case, initially appearing green and bleaching to a non-fluorescent state when exposed to blue-green light). Photobleaching can obviously cause drastic changes in apparent fluorescence. In cases where multiple pigments are involved, the loss of fluorescence (or energy transfer from a donor pigment to an acceptor pigment) could also result in dramatic shifts in apparent color.
Photoconversion
A rearrangement of the chemical structure of a colorful protein by light. Depending upon the protein, photoconversion can increase or decrease fluorescence (in processes called photoactivation and photobleaching, respectively). Photoconversion can break proteins’ molecular bonds (as with Kaede and Eos fluorescent pigments) resulting in an irreversible color shift, or the molecule can be ‘twisted’ by light energy (a ‘hula twist’) where coloration reversal are possible depending upon the quality or quantity of light available. This process is known as photoswitching).
Threshold or Coloration Threshold
The point at which pigment production is sufficient to make its fluorescence (or in the case of non-fluorescent chromoproteins, it absorption) visually apparent. The term threshold generally refers pigment production, although, in some cases, it could apply to a light level where a pigment disappears (as in the cases of photobleaching, or photoconversion).
Up-regulation
Genes containing information such as coloration can sometimes be turned on (up-regulated) or off (down-regulated) by external stimuli such as light.

Step One: Identify fluorescent proteins

To start, we will examine different ways of identifying fluorescent proteins. The most obvious way is to classify them by color. In the genus Acropora, there are four basics types of colorful proteins. These are:

Cyan, Green, and Red Fluorescent Proteins and Non-fluorescent (or very weakly fluorescent) Chromoproteins. For our purposes, the coral glows when illuminated with an actinic lamp or blue LEDs, the protein is fluorescent. If not, it is a chromoprotein.

To further define these proteins, we’ll use these definitions:

Cyan Fluorescent Protein (CFP): Blue-green pigments with fluorescent emissions in the range of ~477-500nm (a definition used by researchers, although proteins with emissions into the violet portion of the spectrum have been noted). Cyan and green pigments share a similar chromophore structure. See Figures 2 and 3.

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Figure 2. This cyan fluorescing protein absorbs blue light and fluoresces in the blue-green portion of the spectrum. The shape of the emission is fairly typical for a cyan fluorescent protein.

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Figure 3. Cyan fluorescence of an unidentified Acropora. A bit of green fluorescent protein is also present.

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP): Fluorescent pigments with emissions of 500-525nm. See Figures 4 and 5.

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Figure 4. A Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) from Acropora tenuis. Note the double peaks in both excitation and emission wavelengths. Does this protein change color from blue-green to green as it matures? See Figure 21 for another example from an Acropora specimen. Not all GFP emissions have these double peaks. After Papina et al., 2002.

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Figure 6. This red fluorescent protein is excited most intensely by yellow wavelengths. Does this explain why some light sources seem to promote red coloration better than others (i.e., T5 lamps over LEDs)?

DsRed-type pigment: A type of red fluorescent pigment with a single primary emission bandwidth at 574-630nm. Originally found in the false coral Discosoma, many other corals (including Acropora species) may contain orange/red DsRed-type proteins.See Figures 6 and 7.

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Figure 7. Red fluorescence of a DsRed-type protein in an Acropora (A. millepora?). Photo by Justin Miedwig.

Chromoprotein pigment (CP): A non-fluorescent but colorful pigment. These pigments appear colorful because they preferentially absorb some portions of the spectrum and reflect others. For example, a chromoprotein with a maximum absorption at 580nm might appear purple because it reflects blue and red wavelengths. Generally, chromoproteins are purple, blue, mauve, or pink. ‘Pocilloporan’ is a generic term for non-fluorescent coral proteins. See Figures 8 and 9.

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Figure 8. The purple-blue coloration in this Acropora is due to the presence of a non-fluorescent chromoprotein. Zooxanthellae within the polyps apparently lack colorful proteins and protection from excessive light. Photo by the author.

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Figure 9. Recall that chromoproteins absorb some wavelengths and reflect others. In this case, a violet Acropora absorbs some green, yellow, orange and a few red wavelengths. It strongly reflects violet/blue and far-red light, making it appear violet.

Step 2: Compile a List of Known Acropora Proteins (listed by absorption for chromoproteins, and emission for fluorescent proteins).

See Reference list of about 160 at the end of this article. CP = non-fluorescent protein. CFP = Cyan fluorescent protein. GFP = Green Fluorescent Protein. DsRed = Discosoma Red- type fluorescent protein.

Table 1
Emission/AbsHostType
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoprotein
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoprotein
CP-500Acropora sp.Chromoprotein
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoprotein
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoprotein
CP-579Acropora nobilisChromoprotein
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoprotein
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoprotein
CP-584Acropora nobilisChromoprotein
CP-584Acropora pulchraChromoprotein
CP-586Acropora sp.Chromoprotein
CP-588Acropora formosaChromoprotein
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoprotein
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoprotein
CP-591Acropora nobilisChromoprotein
P-400Acropora horridaCFP
P-409Acropora nastuaCFP
P-445Acropora asperaCFP
P-476Acropora aspera (orange band I)*CFP
P-478Acropora aspera (orange band II)*CFP
P-480Acropora aspera (green band)*CFP
P-480Acropora tenuis (green band)*CFP
P-482Acropora nastuaCFP
P-482Acropora secale (green band)*CFP
P-483Acropora nastua (green band)*CFP
P-483Acropora pulchraCFP
P-484Acropora milleporaCFP
P-484Acropora secaleCFP
P-485Acropora horridaCFP
P-485Acropora tenuisCFP
P-486Acropora nobilisCFP
P-487Acropora cervicornisCFP
P-489Acropora milleporaCFP
P-490Acropora asperaCFP
P-490Acropora digitiferaCFP
P-490Acropora milleporaCFP
P-490Acropora nobilisCFP
P-495Acropora digitiferaCFP
P-495Acropora nobilisCFP
P-495Acropora sp.CFP
P-497Acropora milleporaCFP
P-500Acropora asperaGFP
P-502Acropora aculeusGFP
P-504Acropora milleporaGFP
P-511Acropora nobilisGFP
P-512Acropora milleporaGFP
P-512Acropora milleporaGFP
P-513Acropora aculeusGFP
P-514Acropora asperaGFP
P-515Acropora eurystoma (now A. tenuis)GFP
P-515Acropora tenuis (Alieva listed as A. eurystoma)GFP
P-517Acropora tenuisGFP
P-517Acropora yongeiGFP
P-518Acropora cytheria @ Waikiki AquariumGFP
P-518Acropora digitiferaGFP
P-590Acropora digitiferaDsRed
P-593Acropora milleporaDsRed
P-597Acropora milleporaDsRed
P-625Acropora horridaDsRed
P-630Acropora asperaDsRed

Step 3: Expand Available Information to Make It Easy to Use

Now, we’ll add additional information to our list. Researchers have analyzed protein structures and then classified coral proteins according to their common ancestors. A group of individual proteins sharing a common origin is called a clade. In Cnidaria, there are 7 colorful clades (A, B, C1, C2, C3, D and Chromo-red). Acropora species are currently known to contain clades B, C2, and C3. See Figures below for a visualization of the relationship of individuals within clades. The phylogenetic trees below are from Alieva et al. (2008). I have modified the list by adding additional information garnered from various sources.

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Figure 10. Clade B includes non-fluorescent chromoproteins found in many Acropora species.

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Figure 11. Pigment Clades C2 and C3 are of interest when studying Acropora coloration. Note how closely the Acropora proteins are related.

Step 4: Add Clade Information To Our List

Note all non-fluorescent Acropora chromoproteins are in Clade B.

Table 2
Emission/AbsHostTypeClade
CP-588Acropora formosaChromoproteinB
CP-579Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB
CP-584Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB
CP-591Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB
CP-584Acropora pulchraChromoproteinB
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB
CP-500Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB
CP-586Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB
P-487Acropora cervicornisCFPC2
P-486Acropora nobilisCFPC2
P-490Acropora nobilisCFPC2
P-495Acropora nobilisCFPC2
P-511Acropora nobilisGFPC2
P-517Acropora yongeiGFPC2
P-400Acropora horridaCFPC2
P-485Acropora horridaCFPC2
P-518Acropora cytheria @ Waikiki AquariumGFPC2
P-490Acropora digitiferaCFPC2
P-495Acropora digitiferaCFPC2
P-518Acropora digitiferaGFPC2
P-484Acropora milleporaCFPC2
P-489Acropora milleporaCFPC2
P-490Acropora milleporaCFPC2
P-497Acropora milleporaCFPC2
P-504Acropora milleporaGFPC2
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC2
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC2
P-445Acropora asperaCFPC2
P-490Acropora asperaCFPC2
P-500Acropora asperaGFPC2
P-514Acropora asperaGFPC2
P-480Acropora aspera (green band)*CFPC2
P-476Acropora aspera (orange band I)*CFPC2
P-478Acropora aspera (orange band II)*CFPC2
P-483Acropora pulchraCFPC2
P-515Acropora eurystoma (now A. tenuis)GFPC2
P-485Acropora tenuisCFPC2
P-517Acropora tenuisGFPC2
P-515Acropora tenuis (Alieva listed as A. eurystoma)GFPC2
P-480Acropora tenuis (green band)*CFPC2
P-484Acropora secaleCFPC2
P-482Acropora secale (green band)*CFPC2
P-409Acropora nastuaCFPC2
P-482Acropora nastuaCFPC2
P-483Acropora nastua (green band)*CFPC2
P-495Acropora sp.CFPC2
P-625Acropora horridaDsRedC3
P-590Acropora digitiferaDsRedC3
P-593Acropora milleporaDsRedC3
P-597Acropora milleporaDsRedC3
P-630Acropora asperaDsRedC3
P-502Acropora aculeusGFPC3
P-513Acropora aculeusGFPC3

Step 5: Classification

Veron (2000) has classified Acropora species into 38 groups. Appropriate information is now added to our list.

Table 3
Emission/AbsHostTypeCladeGroup
P-487Acropora cervicornisCFPC26
CP-588Acropora formosaChromoproteinB6
CP-579Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7
CP-584Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7
CP-591Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7
P-486Acropora nobilisCFPC27
P-490Acropora nobilisCFPC27
P-495Acropora nobilisCFPC27
P-511Acropora nobilisGFPC27
P-517Acropora yongeiGFPC213
P-400Acropora horridaCFPC214
P-485Acropora horridaCFPC214
P-625Acropora horridaDsRedC314
P-518Acropora cytheria @ Waikiki AquariumGFPC219
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB19
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB19
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB22
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB22
P-490Acropora digitiferaCFPC222
P-495Acropora digitiferaCFPC222
P-518Acropora digitiferaGFPC222
P-590Acropora digitiferaDsRedC322
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB25
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB25
P-484Acropora milleporaCFPC225
P-489Acropora milleporaCFPC225
P-490Acropora milleporaCFPC225
P-497Acropora milleporaCFPC225
P-504Acropora milleporaGFPC225
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC225
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC225
P-593Acropora milleporaDsRedC325
P-597Acropora milleporaDsRedC325
P-445Acropora asperaCFPC226
P-490Acropora asperaCFPC226
P-500Acropora asperaGFPC226
P-514Acropora asperaGFPC226
P-630Acropora asperaDsRedC326
P-480Acropora aspera (green band)*CFPC226
P-476Acropora aspera (orange band I)*CFPC226
P-478Acropora aspera (orange band II)*CFPC226
CP-584Acropora pulchraChromoproteinB26
P-483Acropora pulchraCFPC226
P-502Acropora aculeusGFPC328
P-513Acropora aculeusGFPC328
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB28
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB28
P-515Acropora eurystoma (now A. tenuis)GFPC229
P-485Acropora tenuisCFPC229
P-517Acropora tenuisGFPC229
P-515Acropora tenuis (Alieva listed as A. eurystoma)GFPC229
P-480Acropora tenuis (green band)*CFPC229
P-484Acropora secaleCFPC233
P-482Acropora secale (green band)*CFPC233
P-409Acropora nastuaCFPC234
P-482Acropora nastuaCFPC234
P-483Acropora nastua (green band)*CFPC234
CP-500Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB?
CP-586Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB?
P-495Acropora sp.CFPC2?

Step 6: Add comments

We have now sorted Acropora species according to color, clade, and group. There is a last step – add comments and sort by species in order to facilitate use.

Table 4
Emission/AbsHostTypeCladeGroupComments
P-502Acropora aculeusGFPC3282 spp., distinct from other groups
P-513Acropora aculeusGFPC3282 spp., distinct from other groups
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB282 spp., distinct from other groups
CP-580Acropora aculeusChromoproteinB282 spp., distinct from other groups
P-445Acropora asperaCFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-490Acropora asperaCFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-500Acropora asperaGFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-514Acropora asperaGFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-630Acropora asperaDsRedC326Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-480Acropora aspera (green band)*CFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-476Acropora aspera (orange band I)*CFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-478Acropora aspera (orange band II)*CFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-487Acropora cervicornisCFPC26*
P-518Acropora cytheria @ Waikiki AquariumGFPC219*
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB22*
CP-578Acropora digitiferaChromoproteinB22*
P-490Acropora digitiferaCFPC222*
P-495Acropora digitiferaCFPC222*
P-518Acropora digitiferaGFPC222*
P-590Acropora digitiferaDsRedC322*
P-515Acropora eurystoma (now A. tenuis)GFPC229*
CP-588Acropora formosaChromoproteinB6*
P-400Acropora horridaCFPC214*
P-485Acropora horridaCFPC214*
P-625Acropora horridaDsRedC314*
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB19*
CP-580Acropora hyacinthusChromoproteinB19*
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB25Distinct unit, but related to 26
CP-588Acropora milleporaChromoproteinB25Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-484Acropora milleporaCFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-489Acropora milleporaCFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-490Acropora milleporaCFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-497Acropora milleporaCFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-504Acropora milleporaGFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-512Acropora milleporaGFPC225Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-593Acropora milleporaDsRedC325Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-597Acropora milleporaDsRedC325Distinct unit, but related to 26
P-409Acropora nastuaCFPC234*
P-482Acropora nastuaCFPC234*
P-483Acropora nastua (green band)*CFPC234*
CP-579Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7*
CP-584Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7*
CP-591Acropora nobilisChromoproteinB7*
P-486Acropora nobilisCFPC27*
P-490Acropora nobilisCFPC27*
P-495Acropora nobilisCFPC27*
P-511Acropora nobilisGFPC27*
CP-584Acropora pulchraChromoproteinB26Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-483Acropora pulchraCFPC226Distinct unit, but related to 25
P-484Acropora secaleCFPC233*
P-482Acropora secale (green band)*CFPC233*
CP-500Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB?*
CP-586Acropora sp.ChromoproteinB?*
P-495Acropora sp.CFPC2?*
P-485Acropora tenuisCFPC229*
P-517Acropora tenuisGFPC229*
P-515Acropora tenuis (Alieva listed as A. eurystoma)GFPC229*
P-480Acropora tenuis (green band)*CFPC229*
P-517Acropora yongeiGFPC213*

We now have a small database for comparative purposes and hence make some educated guesses about the relationship of colors among Acropora species and their functions (I’ve consolidated much information already) – this has been relatively easy. This listing is rather small, containing about 60 entries of corals in one genus. The entire database (not shown) contains over 300 entries spanning about 50 genera. There is one other database I’ve compiled that is of use when examining the effects of light on corals, and this list is of different sorts of symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium species, or ‘zooxanthellae’) found in corals. A coral (called the host) may contain one of more types of zooxanthellae (also divided into groups called clades). Note that the groups of zooxanthellae clades might share the same alpha-numeric name with a fluorescent protein clade. This is strictly coincidence and a coral with Clade C1 zooxanthellae can also contain a colorful protein called C1. It is also possible that a coral with an alga belonging to Clade D can contain a fluorescent color of Clade B. Whatever the case, the zooxanthellae clade list consists of about 2,000 entries and is much too long to re-post here. See here for further information about coral zooxanthellae: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/4/aafeature

Step 7: Review literature and compile known information about Acropora colors, possible functions, and other data

This information has recently become available in the last few years. After this quick review, we’ll attempt to synthesize the data and try to make some sense of it.

Acropora yongei (commonly called the Bali Green Slimer by many hobbyists): Veron’s Acropora Group 13. Contains zooxanthellae clade C3 and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) with an emission at 517nm (most likely of Protein CladeC2).

Acropora millepora: Veron’s Acropora Group Group 25 & Zooxanthellae Clade C3*. Fluorescent Proteins described to be found in A. millepora are cyan (with emissions at 484, 489, and 497nm, a green fluorescent protein with a fluorescence peak at 512nm, and at least red ones (emission at 593nm and 597nm – all the cyan and green fluorescent proteins are of likely of Clade C2 while red is probably from Clade C3). There is also a blue non-fluorescent protein with a maximum absorbance at 588nm; Protein Clade B).

*According to reports, Acropora millepora most often contains Clade C3 zooxanthellae (a Generalist Clade), but may also possess these clades as well (listed in descending order): C1 (also a Generalist Clade), C2, C4, C3k, and D.

Acropora pulchra is of Veron’s Acropora Group 26 – closely related to those Acropora species of Group 25, such as A. millepora, above) & Zooxanthellae Clade C3. This species is known to contain a fluorescent cyan protein (emission at483nm, and a non-fluorescent protein with a maximum absorbance at 584nm). The cyan protein – based on best available information -is likely of Protein Clade C2, and the non-fluorescent one is Clade B.

We see remarkable similarities: Although we can’t be sure that all these Acropora corals contain the Generalist Zooxanthella Clade C3, it would be a good bet to make. This is an important factor. Zooxanthellae of Clade C3 are not as tolerant of high light as some other zooxanthellae clades, but they are highly adaptable to a wide range of illumination. The best information we currently have says the Protein Clades are B, C2, and C3. If we believe these assumptions are correct, we see trends evolve.

Role of Fluorescent and Non-fluorescent Proteins: Kawaguti (1944) made remarkable observations and believed coral colors were natural sunscreens. Roth et al. (2010) have confirmed this in a tangential sort of way. The latter scientists subjected Acropora yongei (the Bali Slimer Acropora, if you will) fragments to various light intensities using T5 fluorescent lamps. PAR values were categorized as follows: Low Light (30 µmol·m²·sec), Medium Light (300 µmol·m²·sec) and High Light (900 µmol·m²·sec -a remarkable feat considering the light source). They observed the green fluorescence under all lighting conditions. In low light conditions, the density (number) of zooxanthellae fell to very low levels, as did the level of GFP. This is contrary to what many hobbyists believe – that zooxanthellae numbers would increase under low light (causing a ‘browning’ of the coral thus masking the GFP). These researchers believe the loss of zooxanthellae might be in an effort to avoid self-shading of the dinoflagellates, or perhaps due to a reduction in volume of coral host tissues. GFP content increased substantially at 300 µmol·m²·sec, and increased by 1.6X at a light level of 900 µmol·m²·sec. See Figure 13.

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Figure 13. This green fluorescent protein (GFP-517) becomes more apparent at higher light levels. After Roth et al., 2010.

These researchers clearly linked Acropora pigment concentration and fluorescence intensity to light intensity. Other reports reached the same conclusion. D’Angelo et al. (2008; 2011) light intensity played a part in the corals’ productions of fluorescent pigments from Acropora pulchra and A. millepora. Broadband blue light (as opposed to green and red light) was most effective in promoting fluorescence in Acropora pulchra proteins (a cyan protein with emission at 483nm and a chromoprotein with maximum absorbance at 584nm) as well as those fluorescent Acropora millepora pigments (emissions at 484, 497, 512 and 597nm). See Figures 14- 17.

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Figure 14. Cyan (blue-green) fluorescent proteins are down-regulated at higher light intensities. After D’Angelo et al., 2011.

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Figure 15. This GFP (green fluorescent protein or GFP-512) is expressed as light levels increase. After D’Angelo et al., 2011.

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Figure 16. This RFP (red fluorescent protein) increases with light intensity. After D’Angelo et al., 2011.

In addition, a non-fluorescent chromoprotein (CP-584) from an Acropora millepora also demonstrated an increase in concentration with increasing light intensities. See Figure 17.

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Figure 17. This chromoprotein increases with light intensity. It makes the Acropora appear purple-blue. After D’Angelo et al., 2011.

As aquarists have long observed, there is often an increase in coral coloration when light intensity increases, especially when the light spectrum is skewed towards the blue portion. But why?

Palmer et al. (2009) examined the relationship of several fluorescent and one non-fluorescent proteins’ concentration and anti-oxidant capacity. Several have speculated about this ability, but this is the first experiment I’m aware of that examines this. Only one Acropora chromoprotein was examined – that of an Acropora millepora -but there was clear evidence that an oxidant (hydrogen peroxide, or H 2O2) was destroyed by the protein. See Figure 18.

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Figure 18. More damaging hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is scavenged (removed) as the amount of non-fluorescent protein increases. The same happens with coral fluorescent proteins. From Palmer et al., 2009.

This is important -H 2O2 is produced by the coral animal but especially so by its zooxanthellae. Hydrogen peroxide is destructive to living tissues and there are metallic enzymes that can ‘detoxify’ it. However, under conditions of high light and/or high temperature stress, the coral animal can produce natural defenses – fluorescent and/or non-fluorescent chromoproteins. Palmer et al. () also examined the antioxidant capacities of fluorescent proteins as well as the non-fluorescent chromoprotein. When the pigments were isolated from the coral and purified, the chromoprotein had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by cyan, red, and green fluorescent proteins. However, the amount of fluorescent proteins varies within corals and when these researchers looked at in vivo anti-oxidation capacities, cyan FP did not have and hydrogen peroxide scavenging due to low content. On the other hand, GFP has a relatively low ability to deal with oxygen radicals but is found in high concentrations, thus it is able to deal with H 2O2. The red fluorescent protein was quite effective in vivo, but the non-fluorescent choromoprotein was most efficient. The pieces are finally falling into place.

D’Angelo et al. (2012) offer more evidence for the role of corals’ coloration. They hypothesize that the usually non-fluorescent chromoprotein found in fast-growing (or recently damaged) tissues are generated by the coral animal in response to high light levels (where the white coral skeleton is free of zooxanthellae and strongly reflects light, thereby maximizing intensity). These researchers also found growth markers in tips, margins and damaged areas where growth is quickest.

 

Effects of Temperature

Temperature has a major impact on many biological functions, and the expression of fluorescent proteins within corals is no exception. Down-regulation (lack of production) of RFP-593 in Acropora millepora occurs at temperatures of 32 – 33 (89.6 – 91.4). Some Anthozoan fluorescent proteins mature faster at temperatures 30C (86F; Terskikh et al., 2002.)

Upregulation of a blue chromoprotein (CP-588) in Acropora millepora specimens has been noted during a natural bleaching event on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef when temperature plateaued at 32C (89.6).

 

Effects of pH

Papina et al. (2002) found no significant variations in the fluorescent signatures of proteins from several Acropora species at pH values ranging from 5 to 8.

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Figure 19. Average light measurements of variously colored aquarium Acropora specimens (species based on best guess). All are based on at least 6 PAR measurements using a Li-Cor quantum meter. Many of these measurements were of Iwasaki 6500K ‘daylight’ metal halide lamps and Very High Output (VHO) actinic and daylight fluorescent lamp combinations (quite popular in the 1990’s). So many miles, so many living rooms…

 

Light Intensity

Figure 19 shows average light intensities used to maintain variously colored Acropora specimens. These were collected by me over the years while visiting hundreds of hobbyists. They kindly allowed me to take these measurements with a Li-Cor quantum meter.

Light Spectral Quality

Hobbyists have long made anecdotal observations linking coral coloration and blue light. D’Angelo et al. (2011) investigated the effects of broad bandwidths (blue, green, and red) on coral color generation using metal halide lamps and theatrical light filters. Blue light best promoted green and red fluorescence in Acropora millepora specimens. Green light promoted green fluorescence and marginal red fluorescence. Red light did not produce noticeable results. Riddle (2003) tested the effects equal light intensity from red and blue LEDs on a Pocillopora meandrina. See: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/11/aafeature (Synopsis of this article: The blue LED caused the expression of a pink chromoprotein, while the red LED bleached the coral.) Verkhusha and Lukyanov (2004) found infrared radiation would cause DsRed to become green.

 

image035.png

Figure 20. Reduction in fluorescence is called quenching. Some metals quench fluorescence of Acropora DsRed-type pigments while others do not.

Metals

Certain metals can alter the charge of the protein barrel of DsRed pigments thus changing fluorescence intensity. The effect is called ‘quenching’ when fluorescence decreases. In Acropora specimens, orange or red colors are due to DsRed-type proteins. In Figure 20, we see chromium, iron, and manganese will slightly increase fluorescence while copper, cobalt, and manganese will quench it. Other metals (shown) had no effect. Resist the temptation to haphazardly dump any metal into your aquarium!

In Closing

Fluorescent and non-fluorescent proteins are found in many Acropora specimens (those genetically predisposed to express them). The specimens cover a wide range of Acropora groups (as described by Veron) ranging from tabletops to corymbose bushes – no relationship between coral morphology and coloration was established.

Description of GFP-like protein clades allows us to visualize their relationships. Thus we can make assumptions and make generalizations as to how these proteins would react to various stimuli.

We seem to finally have an answer for several of the roles of coral coloration. The ability of the coral to produce colored antioxidants (in the form of hydrogen peroxide scavenging fluorescent/non-fluorescent proteins) has ramifications – a lighter colored coral absorbs less heat than a brown coral (Fabricius, 2006). Some of the absorbed light might be fluoresced away from the portions of the spectrum absorbed by zooxanthellae for photosynthesis. Light reflected lessens that absorbed by photosynthetic pigments (Mazel, personal communication). While the contribution of each of these factors might be in and of itself small, the overall effect might be significant.

Perhaps of more importance to the hobbyist is the realization that we can manipulate the lighting environment in order to create and/or maintain color coloration. It has long been my contention that we should concentrate on minimum light levels to achieve the desired results. The thought of using 1,000 watt metal halide lamps over shallow aquaria now seems so wasteful (worse yet was the thought to use the Fusion Sulfur Lamp capable of producing a PAR value in excess of 20,000 µmol·m²·sec – one magnitude brighter than the sun at noon on a cloudless day).

Of the Acropora species examined here, most likely contain ‘generalist’ zooxanthellae clades C1 or C3. These clades are highly adaptable to light intensity if allowed to acclimate slowly (weeks) and are found in a number of coral taxa. Some Acropora might contain zooxanthellae clade C2, or one of the C3 sub-clades (clade C2 is found almost exclusively in Acropora specimens. The Great Barrier Reef and Taiwan are listed as collection sites. Another paper reports Pocillopora specimens to contain C3. Clade C3i has been found only in about 10 Acropora species at relatively shallow depths of 1-10m (~3 feet to 33 feet). Clade C3i is believed to have descended from zooxanthellae Clade C1. Atlantic Acropora species (A. cervicornis and A. palmata) contain zooxanthellae of Clade A.

What does it tell us about the amount of light required by the captive dinoflagellates when their host generates protective colorful proteins in order to protect itself from harmful by-products of photosynthesis (such as hydrogen peroxide)? Acropora specimens, as a general rule, are thought of as ‘light-loving’ by many hobbyists. Does this concept hold water when the coral produces protective pigments at light levels of, say, 200 µmol·m²·sec?

Cyan FPs’ contents peak at less than 500 µmol·m²·sec, and then decrease (at least in CFP- 483, 484, and 497). Researchers have determined that this is due, in some cases, to down-regulation – it is in the coral’s genes to do so. We cannot be sure that all cyan proteins react in the same manner, and another possibility exists. The double peak excitation and emission shown in Figure 21 suggests photoconversion is possible (possibly a conversion of cyan protein to one that fluoresces green). We know the chromophores of at least some cyan and green fluorescent proteins are similar – it could be this excitation/emission is the result of an incomplete separation of cyan and green pigments during testing through electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE or sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be exact).

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Figure 21. The double peaks seen in the excitation and emissions of this Acropora cyan protein suggests photoconversion is possible. Or is this an artifact of testing? After Papina et al., 2002.

At least two green fluorescent proteins (GFP 512 and 517) will continue to increase at light levels higher than normally seen in aquaria – 700 and 900 µmol·m²·sec, repectively.

Red fluorescence (in Acropora millepora FP-597) will continue to increase at high light intensity (700 µmol·m²·sec). However, ‘greening’ has been noted with some red proteins (mostly those from corals living a depths greater than 40 meters , or 130 feet – in other words, not many). Greening occurs when the red protein is selectively destroyed (photobleached, perhaps by infrared radiation) making the green fluorescence more apparent.

A non-fluorescent chromoprotein (CP-584) from Acropora millepora will also increase as light intensity increases. Chromoproteins have the highest per unit antioxidant capacity of all GFP-like proteins and have been shown to be produced experimentally by the coral at light levels up to 700 µmol·m²·sec (and up to about 1,000 µmol·m²·sec in aquaria).

Temperature excursions (particularly those to 32C and above) can cause color shifts even if the event is short-lived.

Yet, light alone is not enough to maintain coloration. Water movement of velocity sufficient to keep the coral cleansed of sediments is essential. Proper temperature and water chemistry cannot be overlooked. In short, it will take some dedication to maintain an aquarium with glowing Acropora specimens. However, there is no denying that light can be the deciding factor when all other conditions are correct.

There are some factors beyond practical control of the hobbyist, such as the chemical content of artificial seawater where an impurity (such as a metal) might be high (or low) in a batch of sea salts.

When all factors are correct, Acropora corals will as much as 15cm (6 inches) in a year. Their color is a sign of good conditions, where the coral maintains its health in an artificial environment.

Note: I suspect most hobbyists use an Apogee PAR meter to make measurements. These work fine when measuring sunlight and metal halide lamps but they are challenged when used to estimate light output of LEDs. Opinions vary on how to correct the Apogee’s readings. I’ll offer results of some rather tedious testing and suggest correction factors as well as lux-to-PAR conversions. We’ll also examine effects of light on those corals containing Clade D proteins. But those are other stories. More soon.

 

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  • I have been an aquarist since 1964 and a reef hobbyist since the mid-1980’s. I am the owner of a small laboratory (Riddle Aquatic Laboratories) that specializes in investigation of interactions between light and water motion & photosynthetic organisms (especially corals). The results of this research, resulting in almost 250 articles, have been published in Advanced Aquarist Online, Aquarium Frontiers, Koralle, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, The Breeders’ Registry, Aquarium Fish, Marine Fish Monthly and others. My first article was published in a 1984 SeaScope and relayed my experiences with a refugium – an idea that would catch fire about a decade later. I have had the honor of making over 60 presentations to various groups, including national conferences such as the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA) International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC), PetsFestival (Italy), regional conferences, and local clubs. I received the Marine Aquarium Society of North America (MASNA) Aquarist of the Year Award in 2011 at the MACNA conference in Des Moines.

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