Stony coral tissue loss disease decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: June 9, 2022

Diseases are major drivers of the deterioration coral reefs and linked to declines in abundance, reef functionality, reef-related ecosystems services. An outbreak a new disease is currently rampaging through populations remaining reef-building corals across Caribbean region. The was first reported Florida 2014 reached northern Mesoamerican Reef by summer 2018, where it spread ~450-km system only few months. Rapid generalized all sites mortality rates ranged from 94% <10% among 21 afflicted species. Most species family Meandrinadae (maze corals) subfamily Faviinae (brain sustained losses >50%. This single event further modified communities region increasing relative dominance weedy reducing both terms functional diversity calcium carbonate production. emergent likely become most lethal disturbance ever recorded Caribbean, will result onset regime key complex branching acroporids, an apparently unaffected genus that underwent severe population decades ago retained low levels, once again conspicuous structural features systems with yet even lower levels physical functionality.

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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Reef Sediments Can Act As a Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Vector

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Jan. 13, 2022

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in 2014 near Virginia Key Miami-Dade County, Florida. Field sampling, lab experiments, and modeling approaches have suggested that reef sediments may play a role SCTLD transmission, though positive link has not been tested experimentally. We conducted an ex situ transmission assay using statistically-independent apparatus to test whether can transmit the absence of direct contact between diseased healthy tissue. evaluated two methods sediment inoculation: batch inoculation collected from southeast Florida whole colonies Montastraea cavernosa , individual inoculations following independent, secondary infections ∼5 cm 2 fragments. Healthy fragments species Orbicella faveolata M. were exposed these treatments, as well controls. for both albeit with lower proportions infected individuals compared The time onset lesions significantly different among most striking occurring treatment under 24 h. Following infection, samples confirmed presence signs via histological examination, subsamples analyzed microbial community variation identifying 16 indicator taxa associated corals experiencing loss. This study demonstrated indeed through indirect exposure corals, adds credence assertion occurs infectious agent or agents. emphasizes critical need understand roles communities coastal development activities on persistence throughout endemic zone, especially context management conservation strategies wider Caribbean.

Language: Английский

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Experimental transmission of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease results in differential microbial responses within coral mucus and tissue

ISME Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: May 30, 2022

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is a widespread and deadly that affects nearly half of Caribbean species. To understand the microbial community response to this disease, we performed transmission experiment on US Virgin Island (USVI) corals, exposing six species with varying susceptibility SCTLD. The surface mucus layers were examined separately using small subunit ribosomal RNA gene-based sequencing approach, data analyzed identify shifts following acquisition, potential causative pathogens, as well compare microbiota composition field-based corals from USVI Florida outbreaks. While all displayed similar microbiome similarity patterns differed by both or microhabitat. Further, exposed but not lesioned harbored those showing signs, suggesting may serve an early warning detection for onset Like other SCTLD studies in Florida, Rhodobacteraceae, Arcobacteraceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Fusibacter, Marinifilaceae, Vibrionaceae dominated diseased corals. This study demonstrates differential microorganisms suggests be diagnostic exposure.

Language: Английский

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Tissue loss disease outbreak significantly alters the Southeast Florida stony coral assemblage

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Aug. 26, 2022

A stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) outbreak, first widely reported in 2014 the Southeast Florida Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA), has continued to impact communities for more than seven years. Here, we utilize long-term (2012-2020) annual monitoring data from Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project (SECREMP) assess of SCTLD outbreak on assemblage as well spatiotemporal ecological associated variation. SECREMP examines 22 permanent sites distributed along Florida’s Coral Miami-Dade County north Martin County, Florida. We expand upon previously documented event-related regional impacts. ECA prevalence was greatest 2016 coinciding with significant declines live area (LTA). Even though by 2018 had dropped &lt; 1% LTA were no longer recorded, upwards 59% total lost between 2015-2018. In this study, observed across all habitats affected 11 species. Colony size did not preclude infection or mortality, 25% infections occurring colonies 5-14 cm diameter. The indiscriminate nature lack refugia altered population structure composition. Since 2016, shifted towards smaller colonies, a decrease mean colony size. Juvenile corals, 4 diameter, many reef building, structurally-complex species rarely documented, while eurytopic, generalist dominated juvenile abundance. Although losses, altering ecosystem function, recorded prior event present, albeit some only juveniles. Our study adds growing body evidence severity precarious state ECA. show projects provide invaluable opportunities capture such changes assemblages may identify potential indicators recovery. While completely monitored assemblage, likelihood recovery, even pre-outbreak state, is limited without immediate action addressing development related local stressors climate change global stressors.

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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Characterization of the Microbiome of Corals with Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease along Florida’s Coral Reef

Microorganisms, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(11), P. 2181 - 2181

Published: Oct. 20, 2021

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is an emergent and often lethal that was first reported near Miami, FL (USA) in 2014. Our objective to determine if colonies showing signs of SCTLD possess a specific microbial signature across five susceptible species sampled Florida's Coral Reef. Three sample types were collected: lesion apparently unaffected diseased colonies, healthy colonies. Using 16S rRNA high-throughput gene sequencing, our results show that, for every species, the community composition significantly different from colony The all but one (Siderastrea siderea) had higher relative abundances order Rhodobacterales compared with other samples, which may partly explain why S. siderea lesions differed appearance species. Clostridiales also present at relatively high three tissues. Stress leads dysbiosis microbiomes increases abundance opportunistic pathogens. study suggests likely play important role SCTLD.

Language: Английский

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The Effects of Heat Stress on the Physiology and Mortality of the Rhizostome Upside-Down Jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana—Observations Throughout the Life Cycle

Oceans, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 6 - 6

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

This study was designed to investigate the impact of heat stress on physiological changes and mortality rates different life stages rhizostome jellyfish species Cassiopea xamachana, including planula larvae, scyphistomae (polyps), medusae. Both larval scyphistoma C. xamachana are relatively tolerant high temperatures, but both experience nearly 100% at 36 °C. Increasing temperatures also induced stage-specific effects. Settlement artificially larvae were near lower decreased 34–36 °C; dead When subjected a gradual increase in temperature from 28 38 °C, polyp size declined steadily starved animals, with animals showing clear signs between 35 Small medusae pulsed more than larger tended have peak pulse higher (~35 °C) compared (~29–33 °C), though latter not significant. At 39 all exhibited stress, pulsing erratically (generally lower) rather steady rhythmic pulsations, releasing copious amounts mucus, having withdrawn oral arms. Temperature data presented here, literature, show that exhibit bell-shaped curve, over °C being detrimental becoming lethal 40 Based findings this study, it is proposed medusa stage has tolerance for elevated polyps. Predictions global climate change indicate populations will likely face longer hotter summer periods, leading increased population sizes. However, pose greater risk survival as they stage.

Language: Английский

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Four-eye butterflyfish, Chaetodon capistratus, alter their space use to exploit an ephemeral resource

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Considerations for determining warm-water coral reef tipping points

Earth System Dynamics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 275 - 292

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Abstract. Warm-water coral reefs are facing unprecedented human-driven threats to their continued existence as biodiverse functional ecosystems upon which hundreds of millions people rely. These impacts may drive past critical thresholds, beyond the system reorganises, often abruptly and potentially irreversibly; this is what Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022) define a tipping point. Determining point thresholds for reef requires robust assessment multiple stressors interactive effects. In perspective piece, we draw recent global revision initiative (Lenton et al., 2023a) literature search identify summarise diverse range interacting that need be considered determining warm-water ecosystems. Considering observed projected stressor impacts, endorse revision's conclusion mean surface temperature (relative pre-industrial) threshold 1.2 °C (range 1–1.5 °C) long-term atmospheric CO2 concentrations above 350 ppm, while acknowledging comprehensive stressors, including ocean warming response dynamics, overshoot, cascading have yet sufficiently realised. already been exceeded, therefore these systems in an overshoot state reliant policy actions bring levels back within limits. A fuller likely further lower most cases. Uncertainties around points such crucially important underline imperative and, case knowledge gaps, employing precautionary principle favouring lower-range values.

Language: Английский

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