Ladriere O. auteur aut IRD Penin L. auteur aut IRD Van Lierde E. auteur aut IRD Vidal-Dupiol J. auteur aut IRD Kayal M. auteur aut IRD Roberty S. auteur aut IRD Poulicek M. auteur aut IRD Adjeroud Mehdi auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access This study provides a baseline describing natural small scale variability of Symbiodinium density in the sentinel coral Acropora globiceps during the summer, under non-bleaching conditions. Spatial scales investigated range from the colony scale (1-10cm, i.e. among branches of the same colony) to the reef scale (1-10km, i.e. among stations distributed over several locations and depths), at Moorea Island, French Polynesia. The coral-Symbiodinium symbiosis is a key process in scleractinian coral physiology, and Symbiodinium density provides an easy-to-measure and inexpensive biomarker of this symbiosis health. Spatial variability of three major environmental factors: light intensity, sedimentation and water motion was also assessed to evaluate their potential link with Symbiodinium density. Density of Symbiodinium did not significantly differ within colonies or among colonies within a station. However, a marked depth gradient was observed, showing increasing density with increasing depth and decreasing light intensity. These observations provide an interesting reference for forthcoming comparisons with disturbed conditions, such as bleaching events. specialized Symbiodinium density multi-scale variability scleractinian corals symbiosis environmental gradients POLYNESIE FRANCAISE 034 036 94 1 65-74 2014 0025-3154 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010062017 10.1017/s0025315413001252 0025-3154 [F B010062017] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010062017 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2014/06/010062017.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2014-07-03 2017-08-23 fdi:010062017 fre