Multivariate statistical approaches for uncovering spatio-temporal and treatment-derived differences in the molecular physiology of a model coral-dinoflagellate mutualism: a meta-analysis
Author and article information
Abstract
Background: Multivariate statistical approaches (MSA), such as principal components analysis and multidimensional scaling, seek to uncover meaningful patterns within datasets by considering multiple response variables in a concerted fashion. Although these techniques are readily used by ecologists to visualize and explain differences between study sites, they could theoretically be employed to differentiate organisms within an experimental framework while simultaneously identifying response variables that drive documented experimental differences.
Methods: A meta-analysis employing various MSA was conducted to re-analyze data from two studies that sought to understand the response of the common, Indo-Pacific reef coral Seriatopora hystrix to temperature changes.
Results: Gene expression and physiological data partitioned experimental specimens by time of sampling, treatment temperature, and site of origin upon employing MSA.
Discussion: These findings 1) signify that S. hystrix and its dinoflagellate endosymbionts display physiological and molecular signatures that are characteristic of sampling time, site of colony origin, and/or temperature regime and 2) promote the utility of MSA for documenting biologically meaningful shifts in the physiological and/or sub-cellular response of marine invertebrates exposed to environmental change.
Cite this as
2016. Multivariate statistical approaches for uncovering spatio-temporal and treatment-derived differences in the molecular physiology of a model coral-dinoflagellate mutualism: a meta-analysis. PeerJ Preprints 4:e2200v1 https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.2200v1Author comment
This is a submission to PeerJ for review.
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Supplemental Information
PRISMA checklist
The need for the meta-analysis is discussed in the Introduction.
The meta-analysis is described in the Materials and Methods.
The results of the meta-analysis are discussed in the Results section.
The discussion of the meta-analysis is discussed in the Discussion.
The funding for the meta-analysis is mentioned in the online submission form.
PRISMA diagram
Data were collected from two studies, which spanned three manuscripts (one manuscript built upon another). Therefore, the sample size has typically been stated as "two studies" for meta-analysis in the diagram, rather than "three manuscripts."
Mayfield et al. PeerJ data
All values represent z-scores, and not raw data. The figures generated from each worksheet are listed at the bottom of the respective worksheets.
Additional Information
Competing Interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Author Contributions
Anderson B Mayfield conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, analyzed the data, contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Chii-Shiarng Chen contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, provided laboratory space and facilities.
Field Study Permissions
The following information was supplied relating to field study approvals (i.e., approving body and any reference numbers):
Kenting National Park (Taiwan) permit 0992900398 to Dr. Tung-Yung Fan (2010).
Data Deposition
The following information was supplied regarding data availability:
The raw data has been supplied as a supplementary file.
Funding
The National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States of America provided funding to ABM via an international postdoctoral research fellowship (NSF-OISE-0852960). ABM was also funded by a postdoctoral research fellowship from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.