A meta-analysis of the stony coral tissue loss disease microbiome finds key bacteria in unaffected and lesion tissue in diseased colonies

ISME Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: March 9, 2023

Abstract Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been causing significant whole colony mortality on reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. The cause of SCTLD remains unknown, with limited concurrence SCTLD-associated bacteria among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis 16S ribosomal RNA gene datasets generated by 16 field laboratory studies to find consistent associated across zones (vulnerable, endemic, epidemic), species, compartments (mucus, tissue, skeleton), health states (apparently healthy (AH), unaffected (DU) lesion (DL) from diseased colonies). also evaluated seawater sediment, which may be sources transmission. Although AH colonies endemic epidemic harbor lesions, aquaria samples had distinct microbial compositions, there were still clear differences composition AH, DU, DL combined dataset. Alpha-diversity between was not different; however, DU showed increased alpha-diversity compared indicating that, prior formation, corals undergo disturbance microbiome. This driven Flavobacteriales, especially enriched DU. In DL, Rhodobacterales Peptostreptococcales–Tissierellales prominent structuring interactions. predict an enrichment alpha-toxin is typically found Clostridia. provide consensus during formation identify how these taxa vary studies, compartments, seawater, sediment.

Language: Английский

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The impact of rising temperatures on the prevalence of coral diseases and its predictability: A global meta‐analysis

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(8), P. 1466 - 1481

Published: June 6, 2023

Abstract Coral reefs are under threat from disease as climate change alters environmental conditions. Rising temperatures exacerbate coral disease, but this relationship is likely complex other factors also influence prevalence. To better understand relationship, we meta‐analytically examined 108 studies for changes in global over time alongside temperature, expressed using average summer sea surface temperature (SST) and cumulative heat stress weekly anomalies (WSSTAs). We found that both rising SST WSSTA were associated with increases the mean variability Global prevalence tripled, reaching 9.92% 25 years examined, effect of ‘year’ became more stable (i.e. has lower variance time), contrasting effects two stressors. Regional patterns diverged differed response to SST. Our model predicted that, same trajectory, 76.8% corals would be diseased globally by 2100, even assuming moderate WSSTA. These results highlight need urgent action mitigate disease. Mitigating impact ocean on a challenge requiring discussion further study.

Language: Английский

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Stony coral tissue loss disease: a review of emergence, impacts, etiology, diagnostics, and intervention

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is destructive and poses a significant threat to Caribbean reef ecosystems. Characterized by the acute of tissue, SCTLD has impacted over 22 stony species across region, leading visible declines in health. Based on duration, lethality, host range, spread this disease, considered most devastating outbreak ever recorded. Researchers are actively investigating cause transmission SCTLD, but exact mechanisms, triggers, etiological agent(s) remain elusive. If left unchecked, could have profound implications for health resilience reefs worldwide. To summarize what known about identify potential knowledge gaps, review provides holistic overview research, including susceptibility, transmission, ecological impacts, etiology, diagnostic tools, defense treatments. Additionally, future research avenues highlighted, which also relevant other diseases. As continues spread, collaborative efforts necessary develop effective strategies mitigating its impacts critical These need include researchers from diverse backgrounds underrepresented groups provide additional perspectives that requires creative urgent solutions.

Language: Английский

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Upwelling, climate change, and the shifting geography of coral reef development

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

Abstract The eastern tropical Pacific is oceanographically unfavorable for coral-reef development. Nevertheless, reefs have persisted there the last 7000 years. Rates of vertical accretion during Holocene been similar in strong-upwelling Gulf Panamá (GoP) and adjacent, weak-upwelling Chiriquí (GoC); however, seasonal upwelling GoP exacerbated a climate-driven hiatus reef development late Holocene. situation now reversed currently buffers thermal stress, creating refuge coral growth. We developed carbonate budget models to project capacity both gulfs keep up with future sea-level rise. On average, had significantly higher net production rates than GoC. With an estimated contemporary reef-accretion potential (RAP) 5.5 mm year −1 , are projected be able rise if CO 2 emissions reduced, but not under current trajectories. RAP just 0.3 GoC likely already unable (1.4 ). Whereas has support functional near-term, our study indicates that their long-term persistence will depend on reduction greenhouse gases.

Language: Английский

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Microorganisms uniquely capture and predict stony coral tissue loss disease and hurricane disturbance impacts on US Virgin Island reefs

Environmental Microbiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Coral reef ecosystems are now commonly affected by major climate and disease disturbances. Disturbance impacts typically recorded using benthic cover, but this may be less reflective of other ecosystem processes. To explore the potential for water-based disturbance indicators, we conducted a 7-year time series on US Virgin Island reefs where examined cover water nutrients microorganisms from 2016 to 2022, which included two disturbances: hurricanes Irma Maria in 2017 stony coral tissue loss outbreak starting 2020. The coincided with largest changes habitat, increases percent turf algae Ramicrusta, an invasive alga. While sampling timepoint contributed most nutrient composition microbial community beta diversity, both disturbances led ammonium concentration, mechanism likely contributing observed shifts. We identified 10 taxa that were sensitive predictive increasing concentration. This decline oligotrophic photoautotrophic Prochlorococcus enrichment heterotrophic taxa. As impact reefs, changing regimes foster type microbialization, process hastens degradation.

Language: Английский

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Legacy effects of anthropogenic disturbances modulate dynamics in the world's coral reefs

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(12), P. 3285 - 3303

Published: March 18, 2023

Rapidly changing conditions alter disturbance patterns, highlighting the need to better understand how transition from pulse disturbances more persistent stress will impact ecosystem dynamics. We conducted a global analysis of impacts 11 types on reef integrity using rate change coral cover as measure damage. Then, we evaluated magnitude damage due thermal stress, cyclones, and diseases varied among tropical Atlantic Indo-Pacific reefs whether cumulative cyclones was able modulate responses future events. found that largely depends condition before disturbance, intensity, biogeographic region, regardless type disturbance. Changes in after events were influenced by past did not depend intensity or initial cover, which suggests an ecological memory is present within communities. In contrast, effect (and likely other physical impacts) primarily modulated appear be previous impacts. Our findings also underscore can recover if stressful decrease, yet lack action reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions continues trigger degradation. uphold evidence-based strategies guide managers make decisions prepare for disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Environmental degradation of the Mexican Caribbean reef lagoons

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 191, P. 114947 - 114947

Published: April 20, 2023

Language: Английский

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Multi-year coral recruitment study across the Florida Reef Tract reveals boom-or-bust pattern among broadcast spawners and consistency among brooders

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 721, P. 39 - 58

Published: Aug. 25, 2023

Scleractinian coral populations are in global decline, and successful recruitment is fundamental to community persistence recovery, but may vary by reproductive mode. Using settlement tiles, we assessed over 3 consecutive years across 4 regions (~300 km) of the Florida Reef Tract (FRT) determine whether spatio-temporal variation differs between brooding broadcast spawning corals recruit distributions correlate with adult live tissue area, site temperature, or depth. We deployed 32 tiles each 30 sites depths ranging from 2 18 m; were retrieved replaced annually. From 2016-2018, counted 11633 scleractinian recruits, most which belonged Siderastreidae, Agariciidae, Poritidae, Faviidae families. Faviid recruits rare (<1%). While agariciids poritids was relatively stable yr, siderastreids increased an unprecedented 70.7-fold 2017 2018, a boom that spanned 19 FRT. Elevated temperature during preceding season significant predictor low for all groups except faviids, taxa positively linked confamilial area. For siderastreids, area also related recruitment, direction relationship differed year region. The high Florida, preceded yr comparatively demonstrates broadcast-spawning scleractinians among marine capable employing boom-and-bust cycles geographically widespread areas.

Language: Английский

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Seaweed blooms in paradise: Ecological reflexivity, governance and the Sargassum crisis in the Mexican Caribbean

Ocean and Coastal Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 72

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Seaweed blooms pose a compelling governance challenge caused by the new environments of Anthropocene. Along Quintana Roo coastline, nestled in heart Caribbean, onset extensive Sargassum infestations began late 2014, posing formidable environmental management dilemma for state and federal authorities. This study describes institutional responses elicited influx on Mexico's Caribbean shoreline, particularly focusing Cancún Riviera Maya. It proposes ecological reflexivity as promising principle institutions faced with increasingly complex unforeseeable circumstances, such massive arrivals Sargassum. Based comprehensive analysis national press reports, active participation forums seminars, in-depth interviews, our research identifies three distinct phases. We explore these phases considering concept reflexivity. Our findings make strong case acknowledging errors shortcomings an indispensable aspect formulating effective strategies to combat unexpected unfamiliar phenomena seaweed blooms. Moreover, dealing should not only consider responding human interests sustaining tourist industry. Instead, they encompass approach that considers interplay between non-human components within socio-ecological system.

Language: Английский

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Hurricanes enhance coral connectivity but also superspread coral diseases

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(6)

Published: June 1, 2024

Climate change poses an existential threat to coral reefs. A warmer and more acidic ocean weakens ecosystems increases the intensity of hurricanes. The wind-wave-current interactions during a hurricane deeply circulation patterns hence potentially affect dispersal larvae disease agents. Here, we modeled impact major Irma (September 2017) on larval stony tissue loss (SCTLD) connectivity in Florida's Coral Reef. We coupled high-resolution coastal wave models simulate virtual agents between thousands While being brief event, our results suggest passage strongly increased probability long-distance exchanges while reducing supply. It created new connections that could promote resilience but also probably accelerated spread SCTLD by about month. As they become intense, hurricanes' double-edged effect will increasingly pronounced, contributing variability transport rate within reef ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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