Reef-building corals flourish in nutrient-poor topical seas because they harbor phototrophic symbionts, the zooxanthellae. An understanding of these symbioses is severely limited by the fact that traditional biological methods have not provided a scheme for zooxanthella classification. Using the tools of molecular biology, Dr. Rowan will develop rapid and informative methods for zoozanthella identification. These methods will greatly advance the study of marine dinoflagellate symbioses. This fellowship research will focus on establishing the basis for study of the ecological structure of coral symbioses. This information will provide a conceptual framework for studying the mechanics of symbiosis.
