Dataset: Maximum potential quantum efficiency of Photosystem II (Fv/Fm) for two coral species, Acropora hemprichii and Porites lobata, in response to thermal stress

Multiple ramets of five genets of Acropora hemprichii and five genets of Porites lobata were collected from two sites (protected and exposed) used in two experiments: an 18 h acute thermal stress assay using the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) and a two-week prolonged heating experiment using the indoor aquarium system at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Coastal and Marine Resources laboratory. Physiological responses of the coral host and associated endosymbionts were measured during (Fv/Fm, and phosynthesis and respiration) and at the end of the experiments (Final: symbiont densities, host protein, and chlorophyll a concentrations per cell and per cm2). Experimental tanks were ramped up from the 32°C control treatment to temperature treatments reaching 35°C, 36.5°C, and 38°C over 3h in the CBASS, and temperature treatments reaching 33.5°C, 35°C, and 36.5°C in the prolonged experiment at rates of 0.5 and 1.5°C per day. Each temperature treatment contained two replicate tanks (A and B).

Corals were subjected to short-term (7h) acute thermal profiles with four peak target temperatures (32°C, 35°C, 36.5°C, and 38°C), versus more prolonged heat exposures lasting 7 to 15 days, where temperatures were raised 0.5 and 1.5°C per day to four target temperatures (32°C, 33.5°C, 35°C, and 36.5°C). Physiological response metrics were recorded during and at the end of the experiments.

This dataset includes measurements of Fv/Fm from both experiments.

Problem report:
Missing data were samples that were not measured or that are missing due to sample mortality.