Coral and crustose coralline algae disease on the reefs of American Samoa

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Abstract

Surveys for lesions in corals were conducted at seven sites around Tutuila in June 2004 and January 2005. The objectives of the study were to document the distribution and prevalence of disease in the major genera of corals and crustose coralline algae, systematically describe gross and microscopic morphology of lesions in reef corals and determine whether there are seasonal differences in prevalence of disease. We documented 12 different coral disease states from the reefs of Tutuila and two diseases of crustose coralline algae (CCA). Acropora white syndrome, Acropora growth anomalies and coralline lethal orange disease were the most common diseases on the reefs of Tutuila. No seasonal differences were found in overall prevalence of coral or abundance of CCA disease. Histological analyses of coral lesions revealed that microscopic changes in tissues can be used to distinguish tissue loss due to trauma from changes due to disease, detect micro-organisms associated with certain types of discolorations and found that hyperplasia of the basal body wall was the hallmark microscopic appearance of Acropora growth anomalies regardless of gross morphology of tumors.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Coral and crustose coralline algae disease on the reefs of American Samoa
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher National Coral Reef Institute
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 5 p.
Larger Work Type Conference Paper
Larger Work Subtype Conference Paper
First page 197
Last page 201
Conference Title 11th International Coral Reef Symposium
Conference Location Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Conference Date July 7-11, 2008
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