ArticleEnvironmental microbiome2026
Metagenomic insights into mechanisms of coral larval settlement induction and inhibition by marine biofilms.
Article in Environmental microbiome, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- A Non-Living, Microbe-Based Surface Coating Promotes Tubeworm and Coral Settlement.Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) · 2026Article
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9 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBiofilms are essential to larval settlement in many marine invertebrates, yet the mechanisms driving settlement induction or inhibition in corals remain poorly resolved. This challenge lies in the vast taxonomic and functional diversity of marine biofilms, making it difficult to identify cues associated with settlement. To address this, we analysed the metagenomes of biofilms used to induce settlement (attachment and metamorphosis) of four broadcast-spawning non-acroporid coral species: Dipsastrea favus, Platygyra sinensis, Echinophyllia aspera and Porites lobata. Biofilms were developed for one or two months, under light or dark treatments, with light biofilms inducing significantly higher settlement than dark biofilms.
resultsGene composition varied strongly among treatments, with light biofilms enriched in genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis and nitrate reduction, while dark biofilms encoded more genes for denitrification and nitric oxide production. Modelling revealed the abundance of genes encoding GABA biosynthesis and the type III secretion system (SS) were positively associated with settlement, while genes encoding the type II secretion system, flagellar and lipopolysaccharides were negatively associated. Genes predicted to promote settlement were concentrated in metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) assigned to Flavobacteriaceae, Rhodobacteraceae and Pirellulaceae, consistent with previous research identifying these lineages as potential inducers. While we detected homologues of some biosynthesis genes for the settlement-inducing compounds cycloprodigiosin and tetrabromopyrrole in the MAGs, pathways were incomplete suggesting additional compounds promote settlement on these biofilms.
conclusionsThese findings link biofilm metagenomics to coral larval settlement for the first time, suggesting carotenoids may attract larvae to biofilm surfaces, while GABA may promote searching and attachment. Additional compounds, for example cycloprodigiosin, tetrabromopyrrole or effector proteins, may be required to complete metamorphosis, however the specific compounds responsible likely vary across biofilm communities and suggest multiple mechanisms can lead to settlement. Simultaneously, elevated levels of nitric oxide, type II SS exudates or an abundance of flagellar potentially inhibit the settlement process. This study advances our understanding of the complex microbial processes underpinning coral larval settlement.
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