scholarly journals Microbial dysbiosis reflects disease resistance in diverse coral species

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. MacKnight ◽  
Kathryn Cobleigh ◽  
Danielle Lasseigne ◽  
Andia Chaves-Fonnegra ◽  
Alexandra Gutting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
White Plague ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Microbial Responses ◽  
Coral Communities

AbstractDisease outbreaks have caused significant declines of keystone coral species. While forecasting disease outbreaks based on environmental factors has progressed, we still lack a comparative understanding of susceptibility among coral species that would help predict disease impacts on coral communities. The present study compared the phenotypic and microbial responses of seven Caribbean coral species with diverse life-history strategies after exposure to white plague disease. Disease incidence and lesion progression rates were evaluated over a seven-day exposure. Coral microbiomes were sampled after lesion appearance or at the end of the experiment if no disease signs appeared. A spectrum of disease susceptibility was observed among the coral species that corresponded to microbial dysbiosis. This dysbiosis promotes greater disease susceptiblity in coral perhaps through different tolerant thresholds for change in the microbiome. The different disease susceptibility can affect coral’s ecological function and ultimately shape reef ecosystems.

scholarly journals An emerging coral disease outbreak decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip ◽  
F. González-Barrios ◽  
Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes ◽  
Ana Molina-Hernandez ◽  
Nuria Estrada-Saldívar
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Coral Abundance ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Physical Functionality

Abstract Diseases are major drivers of the deterioration of coral reefs, linked to major declines in coral abundance, reef functionality, and reef-related ecosystems services1-3. An outbreak of a new disease is currently rampaging through the populations of the remaining reef-building corals across the Caribbean region. The outbreak was first reported in Florida in 2014 and reached the northern Mesoamerican reef by summer 2018, where it spread across the ~ 450-km reef system only in a few months4. Rapid infection was generalized across all sites and mortality rates ranged from 94% to < 10% among the 21 afflicted coral species. This single event further modified the coral communities across the region by increasing the relative dominance of weedy corals and reducing reef functionality, both in terms of functional diversity and calcium carbonate production. This emergent disease is likely to become the most lethal disturbance ever recorded in the Caribbean, and it will likely result in the onset of a new functional regime where key reef-building and complex branching acroporids (a genus apparently unaffected) will once again become conspicuous structural features in reef systems with yet even lower levels of physical functionality.

scholarly journals CONDICIÓN DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL SOMETIDOS A PRESIONES NATURALES RECIENTES: BAJOS DE SANCHO PARDO, CUBA

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Hansel Caballero ◽  
Pedro M. Alcolado
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Different Levels

Se evaluó la condición de la barrera de coral de los Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba), área alejada de acciones antrópicas (excepto sobrepesca), pero que ha sufrido un período de frecuencia de huracanes, brotes de enfermedades y eventos de blanqueamiento de corales. En agosto del 2010 se aplicó la metodología de muestreo AGRRA en comunidades de corales de tres estaciones en las crestas, tres en las zonas traseras y 15 en el frente de arrecifes. Se identificaron 32 especies de corales, considerando solo colonias mayores de 10 cm de diámetro máximo. Los indicadores biológicos analizados sugieren cierta heterogeneidad en lascondiciones medioambientales y diferentes grados de resiliencia de los corales ante los disturbios naturales. El cubrimiento vivo medio de coral fue de 23% en las crestas, 27% en las zonas traseras y 9% en los arrecifes frontales. La densidad media lineal de corales fue de 8 colonias/10 m en las crestas, 11 colonias/10 m en las zonas traseras y 5 colonias/10 m en los arrecifes frontales. Se observó mortalidad reciente por enfermedades activas. La mortalidad antigua fue mayor en las zonas traseras y en las crestas, a causa aparentementede la mayor influencia de los huracanes por la menor profundidad. Los arrecifes estuvieron perturbados por cubrimiento importante de algas carnosas supuestamente por un insuficiente nivel de herbivorismo. ABSTRACT The condition of the barrier reef in Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba) was assessed. This area is located far from anthropogenic disturbances (except overfishing) and has suffered a period of frequent hurricanes, coral disease outbreaks, and coral bleaching events. In August 2010, the AGRRA sampling methodology was applied to 21 coral communities;three crest stations, three rear zones, and 15 fore reef stations. Thirty-two coral species were identified, considering only colonies larger than 10 cm maximum diameter. The biological indicators analyzed suggest some degree of heterogeneity of environmental conditions and different levels of coral resiliency to natural disturbances. Average live coral cover was 23% on reef crests, 27% on back reefs and 9% on fore reefs. Average coral linear density was 8 colonies/10 m on reef crests, 11 colonies/10 m on back reefs and 5 colonies/10 m on fore reefs. Recent mortality was observed resulting from active diseases. Old mortality was higher in back reefs and reef crests, apparently due to the higher influence of hurricanes due to their shallow depths. Reefs were disturbed by a significant fleshy algae cover provably due to low levels of herbivory.

scholarly journals STATUS TERUMBU KARANG DI PERAIRAN PESISIR NEGERI HUKURILA

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45
Author(s):  
Dicky Sahetapy ◽  
Laura Siahainenia ◽  
Debby A J Selanno ◽  
Johannes M S Tetelepta ◽  
Novianty C Tuhumury
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Similarity Index ◽  
Ecological Index ◽  
Stony Coral ◽  
The Status ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Line Intercept

Coral reef is one of the important coastal ecosystems that have high biodiversity. This study aims to analyze the composition of the taxa and the distribution of coral species, the ecological index of coral communities and the status of coral reefs. The research was conducted from April-May 2019 in the coastal waters of Hukurila Village, South Leitimur District, Ambon City. Collecting coral data by using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. Determination of coral reef condition based on percent data (value) of coral reef cover. During the study, 116 species of stony coral from 49 genera and 16 families were found, which 50 species of them are protected and 23 species of ornamental coral. The similarity index of stony coral species between coral reef locations ranges from 0.52-0.76 or there is the similarity of stony coral species between locations coral reef in the amount of 52-76%. The coral reefs of Hukurila Village have high diversity of coral species, with a low dominance of coral species in the community, and the compatibility of coral species in the community is classified as stable. Acropora corals contributed a low covering percent value (9.98%), while Non-Acropora corals contributed a relatively high percent of covering value (43.56%). The status of coral reefs between locations in the coastal waters of Hukurila Village is in the criteria of good (healthy).   ABSTRAK Terumbu karang merupakan salah satu ekosistem pesisir penting yang emiliki kenanekaragaman hayati tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis komposisi taksa dan sebaran spesies karang, indeks ekologi kominitas karang dan status terumbu karang. Penelitian dilakukan dari April-Mei 2019 di perairan pesisir Negeri Hukurila Kecamatan Leitimur Selatan Kota Ambon. Pengumpulan data karang menggunakan metode Line Intercept Transect (LIT). Penentuan kondisi terumbu karang berdasarkan data (nilai) persen penutupan karang batu. Selama penelitian ditemukan 116 spesies karang batu dari 49 genera dan 16 famili, dimana 50 spesies diantaranya dilindungi dan 23 spesies karang hias. Indeks similaritas spesies karang batu antar stasiun terumbu karang berkisar antara 0,52-0,76 atau terdapat kesamaan spesies karang batu antar lokasi terumbu karang sebesar 52-76%. Terumbu karang Negeri Hukurila memiliki diversitas spesies karang tinggi, dengan dominansi spesies karang rendah dalam komunitas, dan keserasian spesies karang dalam komunitas tergolong stabil. Karang Acropora memberi kontribusi nilai persen penutupan rendah (9,98%), sementara karang Non-Acropora memberi kontribusi nilai persen penutupan karang batu relatif tinggi (43,56%). Status terumbu karang antar stasiun terumbu perairan pesisir Negeri Hukurila berada dalam kriteria baik (sehat).   Kata kunci: terumbu, karang batu, keragaman spesies, kesamaan, persen penutupan

scholarly journals Translating surveillance data into incidence estimates

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1776) ◽  
pp. 20180262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Bourhis ◽  
T. Gottwald ◽  
F. van den Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Estimation Model ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Sampling Series ◽  
Wide Range

Monitoring a population for a disease requires the hosts to be sampled and tested for the pathogen. This results in sampling series from which we may estimate the disease incidence, i.e. the proportion of hosts infected. Existing estimation methods assume that disease incidence does not change between monitoring rounds, resulting in an underestimation of the disease incidence. In this paper, we develop an incidence estimation model accounting for epidemic growth with monitoring rounds that sample varying incidence. We also show how to accommodate the asymptomatic period that is the characteristic of most diseases. For practical use, we produce an approximation of the model, which is subsequently shown to be accurate for relevant epidemic and sampling parameters. Both the approximation and the full model are applied to stochastic spatial simulations of epidemics. The results prove their consistency for a very wide range of situations. The estimation model is made available as an online application. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.

scholarly journals Convergent mortality responses of Caribbean coral species to seawater warming

Ecosphere ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. art87 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Smith ◽  
M. E. Brandt ◽  
J. M. Calnan ◽  
R. S. Nemeth ◽  
J. Blondeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Caribbean Coral

scholarly journals The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs

Ecosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert W. Hoeksema ◽  
Auke‐Florian Hiemstra ◽  
Mark J. A. Vermeij
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Southern Caribbean ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reefs

scholarly journals Behavioural phenotypes predict disease susceptibility and infectiousness

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 20160480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Araujo ◽  
Lucas Kirschman ◽  
Robin W. Warne
Keyword(s):  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Larval Amphibians ◽  
Behavioural Phenotypes ◽  
Experimental Trials ◽  
Conspecific Interactions ◽  
Pathogenic Infection

Behavioural phenotypes may provide a means for identifying individuals that disproportionally contribute to disease spread and epizootic outbreaks. For example, bolder phenotypes may experience greater exposure and susceptibility to pathogenic infection because of distinct interactions with conspecifics and their environment. We tested the value of behavioural phenotypes in larval amphibians for predicting ranavirus transmission in experimental trials. We found that behavioural phenotypes characterized by latency-to-food and swimming profiles were predictive of disease susceptibility and infectiousness defined as the capacity of an infected host to transmit an infection by contacts. While viral shedding rates were positively associated with transmission, we also found an inverse relationship between contacts and infections. Together these results suggest intrinsic traits that influence behaviour and the quantity of pathogens shed during conspecific interactions may be an important contributor to ranavirus transmission. These results suggest that behavioural phenotypes provide a means to identify individuals more likely to spread disease and thus give insights into disease outbreaks that threaten wildlife and humans.

scholarly journals Crop Damage from Sclerotinia Crown Rot and Risk Factors in Pyrethrum

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason B. Scott ◽  
David H. Gent ◽  
Sarah J. Pethybridge ◽  
Tim Groom ◽  
Frank S. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Crown Rot ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Canopy Density ◽  
Flower Yield

Sclerotinia crown rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor, is a prevalent disease in pyrethrum fields in Australia. Management involves fungicide applications during the rosette stage of plant development from autumn to early spring in fields approaching first harvest. However, estimates of crop damage and the efficacy of these tactics are poorly understood; therefore, plots were established in 86 pyrethrum fields in Tasmania, Australia during 2010 to 2012 to quantify these and to identify risk factors for disease outbreaks. On average, commercial management for Sclerotinia crown rot reduced disease incidence 43 to 67% compared with nontreated plots. There was a weak but significant relationship between relative increase in flower yield when fungicides were applied and the incidence of crown rot (R2 = 0.09, P = 0.006), although the mean number of flowers produced was similar regardless of fungicide applications. Flower yield was positively associated with canopy density in spring (S = 0.39, P = 0.001). Moreover, canopy density in spring was linked by both direct and indirect effects to canopy density during autumn and winter which, in turn, were associated with planting date and previous rain events. Modeling canopy density and disease incidence in autumn correctly categorized disease incidence in spring relative to a threshold of 2% in 72% of fields. In a subset of 22 fields monitored over 2 years, canopy density in the autumn following the first harvest had a negative relationship with Sclerotinia crown rot incidence the preceding year (R2 = 0.23, P = 0.006). On average, however, current commercial management efforts provided only small increases in flower yield in the current season and appear best targeted to fields with well-developed plant canopies and Sclerotinia crown rot present during early autumn.

scholarly journals Temperature regimes impact coral assemblages along environmental gradients on lagoonal reefs in Belize

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin H. Baumann ◽  
Joseph E. Townsend ◽  
Travis A. Courtney ◽  
Hannah E. Aichelman ◽  
Sarah W. Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Coral Community ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Reef System

AbstractCoral reefs are increasingly threatened by global and local anthropogenic stressors such as rising seawater temperature, nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, and overfishing. Although many studies have investigated the impacts of local and global stressors on coral reefs, we still do not fully understand how these stressors influence coral community structure, particularly across environmental gradients on a reef system. Here, we investigate coral community composition across three different temperature and productivity regimes along a nearshore-offshore gradient on lagoonal reefs of the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS). A novel metric was developed using ultra-high-resolution satellite-derived estimates of sea surface temperatures (SST) to classify reefs as exposed to low (lowTP), moderate (modTP), or high (highTP) temperature parameters over 10 years (2003 to 2012). Coral species richness, abundance, diversity, density, and percent cover were lower at highTP sites relative to lowTP and modTP sites, but these coral community traits did not differ significantly between lowTP and modTP sites. Analysis of coral life history strategies revealed that highTP sites were dominated by hardy stress tolerant and fast-growing weedy coral species, while lowTP and modTP sites consisted of competitive, generalist, weedy, and stress-tolerant coral species. Satellite-derived estimates of Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) were obtained for 13-years (2003-2015) as a proxy for primary production. Chl-a concentrations were highest at highTP sites, medial at modTP sites, and lowest at lowTP sites. Notably, thermal parameters correlated better with coral community traits between site types than productivity, suggesting that temperature (specifically number of days above the thermal bleaching threshold) played a greater role in defining coral community structure than productivity on the MBRS. Dominance of weedy and stress-tolerant genera at highTP sites suggests that corals utilizing these two life history strategies may be better suited to cope with warmer oceans and thus may warrant protective status under climate change.

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