Effects of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Outbreak on Coral Communities and the Benthic Composition of Cozumel Reefs

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 8

Опубликована: Март 30, 2021

In the Caribbean, disease outbreaks have emerged as significant drivers of coral mortality. Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a novel white plague-type that was first reported off Florida coast in 2014. This affects >20 species and spreading rapidly throughout Caribbean. December 2018, SCTLD reached southwestern (SW) Cozumel, one healthiest reef systems this study, we integrate data from multiple survey protocols conducted between July 2018 April 2020 to track progression outbreak SW Cozumel quantify impacts on communities benthic composition reefs. Given coincided with period prolonged thermal stress concluded widespread bleaching autumn 2019, also investigated whether event further exacerbated Our findings show spread only 2 months peak after 5 months. By summer most afflicted corals were already dead. Species families Meandrinidae, Faviinae, Montastraeidae showed 33–95% The die-off caused an overall loss 46% cover followed by rapid increase algae across all surveyed reefs persisted until at least 2020. November more than 15% colonies bleached. However, did not find increased mortality either colony or community level, which suggests able recover despite still being affected disease. conclusion, radically changing ecology decimating populations several key reef-builders reconfiguring assemblages. actions needed restore be accompanied stringent controls related effects climate change, coastal development, wastewater treatment improve conditions ecosystem resilience.

Язык: Английский

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The Emergence and Initial Impact of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) in the United States Virgin Islands

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 8

Опубликована: Авг. 18, 2021

Coral communities in the Caribbean face a new and deadly threat form of highly virulent multi-host stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). In late January 2019, with signs characteristics matching that SCTLD was found affecting reef off coast St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Identification its emergence USVI provided opportunity to document initial evolution spatial distribution, species susceptibility characteristics, comparative impact on cover at affected unaffected locations. Re-assessments sentinel sites long-term monitoring locations were used track spread disease, assess affected, quantify impact. The initially limited southwest for several months, then around island neighboring John east. Differences prevalence among similar reports from other regions. Highly included Colpophyllia natans , Eusmilia fastigiata Montastraea cavernosa Orbicella spp., Pseudodiploria strigosa . Dendrogyra cylindrus Meandrina meandrites also but showed more variability prevalence, likely due low abundances rapid colonies disease. Siderastrea spp. less lower prevalence. Species previously reported as or data deficient be by Agaricia Madracis Mycetophyllia We observed multi-focal lesions SCTLD-affected Porites astreoides despite poritids have been considered not susceptible SCTLD. Loss acute diseases, which predominantly SCTLD, significant impactful than previous mass bleaching events some sites. There are no outbreak is abating, therefore it this will become widespread across British near future.

Язык: Английский

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Viral-Like Particles Are Associated With Endosymbiont Pathology in Florida Corals Affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 8

Опубликована: Ноя. 5, 2021

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first documented in 2014 near the Port of Miami, Florida, and has since spread north south along Florida’s Coral Reef, killing large numbers more than 20 species leading to functional extinction at least one species, Dendrogyra cylindrus . SCTLD is assumed be caused by bacteria based on presence different molecular assemblages lesioned compared apparently healthy tissues, its apparent among colonies, cessation lesions individual colonies treated with antibiotics. However, light microscopic examination tissues corals affected not shown associated death. Rather, microscopy shows dead dying cells symbiotic dinoflagellates (endosymbionts) indicating a breakdown host cell endosymbiont symbiosis. It unclear whether die death endosymbionts or vice versa. Based microscopy, hypotheses as possible causes include infectious agents visible level toxicosis, perhaps originating from endosymbionts. To clarify this, we examined using transmission electron microscopy. Endosymbionts SCTLD-affected consistently had varying degrees pathology elongated particles compatible morphology filamentous positive single-stranded RNA viruses plants termed anisometric viral-like (AVLP). There progression early late replication AVLP cytoplasm adjacent times within chloroplasts, morphologic changes chloroplasts consistent those seen plant infected viruses. appeared limited massive proliferation lysis mucus cells. these findings, hypothesize that viral Efforts confirm virus through other means would appropriate. These showing assays such deep sequencing, attempts grow this laboratory culture endosymbionts, localization sections immunohistochemistry situ hybridization, experimental infection known-virus-negative replicate gross level.

Язык: Английский

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Evaluating the small-scale epidemiology of the stony-coral -tissue-loss-disease in the middle Florida Keys

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 15(11), С. e0241871 - e0241871

Опубликована: Ноя. 11, 2020

Along the Florida reef tract, stony-coral-tissue-loss disease (SCTLD) has caused extensive mortality of more than 20 scleractinian coral species. The pathogen is unknown, but its epizoology indicates that disease, facilitated by water currents, progressed linearly along affecting reefs at scale hundreds kilometers. To inform ongoing mitigation efforts, we examined small-scale spatial and temporal epidemiology SCTLD. We established a series sites in middle Keys offshore inshore locations had not yet shown signs then conducted high-frequency monitoring from February 2018 through September 2019 documented onset SCTLD progression sites. was first observed one site during early March all showed disease. A dynamic multistate model suggested transmission independent density found little evidence positive association between colony showing condition or distance to neighboring colonies. did, however, indicate probability increased with increasing surface area. These results are consistent water-borne rapidly survey However, end our slowed, particularly Many affected colonies no longer exhibited progressive tissue typical suggesting existence differentially resilient communities, meriting their use for future rescue propagation research. useful refining strategies, determining when rates sufficiently low direct intervention efforts designed arrest on individual will be most effective.

Язык: Английский

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Ecological consequences of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 40(2), С. 609 - 624

Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2021

Язык: Английский

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