[Symbiodinium Fv/Fm over a temperature gradient] - Fv/Fm for cultured Clade A & B Symbiodinium with 2 treatments measured over a range of temperatures (Coevolution of scleractinian corals and their associated microorganisms)

Understanding this variability will be critical for future research on climate change mediated responses. A properly functioning thylakoid membrane is essential for optimal photosynthetic performance both in free-living and in hospite conditions.

Here we analyze the thylakoid membrane melting points of 13 Symbiodinium strains from species in Clades B and A, grown at both control (26 \u00b0C) and high temperature (31 \u00b0C). We observed a broad range of responses to thermal stress regardless of taxonomic rank. Our results support and augment a growing body of literature demonstrating that functional differences among Symbiodinium spp. are as distinct at lower taxonomic levels (i.e. interspecific) as they are among major clades.