Endangered corals thrive with new bacterial ally in Lisbon
A team of Portuguese biologists has identified a previously unknown bacterium in one of the coral reefs at the bottom of the Lisbon Oceanarium. The bacterium has been named Endozoicomonas lisbonensis, in honour of Portugal's capital.
The team of scientists from the Higher Technical Institute at the University of Lisbon discovered the new bacterium, Endozoicomonas lisbonensis, at the Lisbon Oceanarium. Research on this organism spanned over three years and included complete genome sequencing.
Symbiosis with coral reefs
This bacterium lives in symbiosis with coral reefs, contributing to the reduction of nitrates to nitrites, which is crucial for coral health. Thanks to this symbiosis, corals can absorb food more effectively, which is vital for their survival.
Endozoicomonas lisbonensis is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can thrive both in the presence of oxygen and without it. This bacterium can degrade complex carbohydrates such as cellulose, xylan, and chitin. Scientists suggest that it could be utilised to isolate chitinase enzymes, opening up new possibilities in biotechnological research.
Protection against pathogens
Ongoing research aims to confirm whether Endozoicomonas lisbonensis can also protect corals from fungal pathogens. If these properties are affirmed, the bacterium could become a key component in coral protection efforts worldwide.
