Recovery of Acropora Palmata in Curaçao: a Comparison with the Florida Keys

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 747-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan J Bright ◽  
Dana E Williams ◽  
K Lindsey Kramer ◽  
Margaret W Miller
Keyword(s):  
Florida Keys ◽  
Acropora Palmata

scholarly journals Reestablishing a stepping-stone population of the threatened elkhorn coral Acropora palmata to aid regional recovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 461-473
Author(s):  
IB Kuffner ◽  
A Stathakopoulos ◽  
LT Toth ◽  
LA Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Gauge Potential ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Assisted Migration ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Genetic Strains ◽  
Entire Experiment ◽  
Migration Experiment

Recovery of the elkhorn coral Acropora palmata is critical to reversing coral reef ecosystem collapse in the western Atlantic, but the species is severely threatened. To gauge potential for the species’ restoration in Florida, USA, we conducted an assisted migration experiment where 50 coral fragments of 5 nursery-raised genetic strains (genets) from the upper Florida Keys were moved to 5 sites across 350 km of the offshore reef. Additionally, 4 fragments from the 1 remaining colony of A. palmata in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) were added to the 2 DRTO experimental sites to test for local adaptation. To measure coral performance, we tracked coral survival, calcification, growth, and condition from May 2018 to October 2019. All 24 corals relocated to the DRTO sites survived and calcified ~85% faster than the fewer surviving corals transplanted to the 2 upper Keys sites. While coral survival across the entire experiment did not depend on genet, there was a weak but statistically significant genetic effect on calcification rate among the corals relocated to DRTO. The DRTO native genet was among the fastest growing genets, but it was not the fastest, suggesting a lack of local adaptation at this scale. Our results indicate that DRTO, a remote reef system inhabited by the species during the Holocene and located at the nexus of major ocean currents, may be a prime location for reestablishing A. palmata. Assisted migration of A. palmata to DRTO could restore a sexually reproducing population in <10 yr, thereby promoting the species’ regional recovery.

scholarly journals Systematic Analysis of White Pox Disease in Acropora palmata of the Florida Keys and Role of Serratia marcescens

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (13) ◽  
pp. 4451-4457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Joyner ◽  
Kathryn P. Sutherland ◽  
Dustin W. Kemp ◽  
Brett Berry ◽  
Ashton Griffin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Overlying Water ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Apparently Healthy

ABSTRACTWhite pox disease (WPD) affects the threatened elkhorn coral,Acropora palmata. Owing in part to the lack of a rapid and simple diagnostic test, there have been few systematic assessments of the prevalence of acroporid serratiosis (caused specifically bySerratia marcescens) versus general WPD signs. Six reefs in the Florida Keys were surveyed between 2011 and 2013 to determine the disease status ofA. palmataand the prevalence ofS. marcescens. WPD was noted at four of the six reefs, with WPD lesions found on 8 to 40% of the colonies surveyed.S. marcescenswas detected in 26.9% (7/26) of the WPD lesions and in mucus from apparently healthy colonies both during and outside of disease events (9%; 18/201).S. marcescenswas detected with greater frequency inA. palmatathan in the overlying water column, regardless of disease status (P= 0.0177).S. marcescenscould not be cultured fromA. palmatabut was isolated from healthy colonies of other coral species and was identified as pathogenic pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type PDR60. WPD lesions were frequently observed on the reef, but unlike in prior outbreaks, no whole-colony death was observed. PathogenicS. marcescenswas circulating on the reef but did not appear to be the primary pathogen in these recent WPD episodes, suggesting that other pathogens or stressors may contribute to signs of WPD. Results highlight the critical importance of diagnostics in coral disease investigations, especially given that field manifestation of disease may be similar, regardless of the etiological agent.

scholarly journals Genotypic variation in disease susceptibility among cultured stocks of elkhorn and staghorn corals

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret W. Miller ◽  
Philip J. Colburn ◽  
Emma Pontes ◽  
Dana E. Williams ◽  
Allan J. Bright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Genetic Resistance ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Primary Driver

Disease mortality has been a primary driver of population declines and the threatened status of the foundational Caribbean corals, Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis. There remain few tools to effectively manage coral disease. Substantial investment is flowing into in situ culture and population enhancement efforts, while disease takes a variable but sometimes high toll in restored populations. If genetic resistance to disease can be identified in these corals, it may be leveraged to improve resistance in restored populations and possibly lead to effective diagnostic tests and disease treatments. Using a standardized field protocol based on replicated direct-graft challenge assays, we quantified this important trait in cultured stocks from three field nurseries in the Florida Keys. Field tests of 12 genotypes of A. palmata and 31 genotypes of A. cervicornis revealed significant genotypic variation in disease susceptibility of both species measured both as risk of transmission (percent of exposed fragments that displayed tissue loss) and as the rate of tissue loss (cm2 d–1) in fragments with elicited lesions. These assay results provide a measure of relative disease resistance that can be incorporated, along with consideration of other important traits such as growth and reproductive success, into restoration strategies to yield more resilient populations.

scholarly journals Removal of corallivorous snails as a proactive conservation tool

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana E Williams ◽  
Margaret W Miller ◽  
Allan J Bright ◽  
Caitlin M Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Partial Mortality ◽  
Host Coral ◽  
Coralliophila Abbreviata ◽  
Term Monitoring

Corallivorous snail feeding is a common source of tissue loss for the threatened coral Acropora palmata, accounting for roughly one-quarter of tissue loss in monitored study plots over seven years. However, corallivory by Coralliophila abbreviata is one of the few major sources of partial mortality (contrasting with threats such as bleaching, disease, or storm disturbances) that may be locally managed. We conducted a field experiment to explore the effectiveness and feasibility of snail removal. Long-term monitoring plots on six reefs in the upper Florida Keys were assigned to one of three removal treatments: 1) removal from A. palmata only, 2) removal from all host coral species, or 3) no-removal controls. During the initial removal in June 2011, 639 snails were removed from twelve 150 m2 plots. Snails were removed two additional times during a seven month “removal phase”, then counted at five surveys over the next 19 months to track recolonization. At the conclusion, snails were collected, measured, and sexed. Before-After-Control-Impact analysis revealed that both snail abundance and feeding scar prevalence were reduced in removal treatments compared to the control, but there was no difference between removal treatments. Recolonization by snails to baseline abundance is estimated to be 4.3 years and did not differ between removal treatments. Recolonization rate was significantly correlated with baseline snail abundance. Maximum snail size decreased from 47.0 mm to 34.6 mm in the removal treatments. The effort required to remove snails from A. palmata was 30 diver minutes per 150 m2 plot, compared with 51 minutes to remove snails from all host corals. Since there was no additional benefit observed with removing snails from all host species, removals can be more efficiently focused on only A. palmata colonies, and in areas where C. abbreviata abundance is high, to effectively conserve A. palmata in targeted areas.

scholarly journals Use of Quantitative Real-Time PCR for Direct Detection of Serratia marcescens in Marine and Other Aquatic Environments

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1679-1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Joyner ◽  
David Wanless ◽  
Christopher D. Sinigalliano ◽  
Erin K. Lipp
Keyword(s):  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Sponge Tissue ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Coral Mucus ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTSerratia marcescensis the etiological agent of acroporid serratiosis, a distinct form of white pox disease in the threatened coralAcropora palmata. The pathogen is commonly found in untreated human waste in the Florida Keys, which may contaminate both nearshore and offshore waters. Currently there is no direct method for detection of this bacterium in the aquatic or reef environment, and culture-based techniques may underestimate its abundance in marine waters. A quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to detectS. marcescensdirectly from environmental samples, including marine water, coral mucus, sponge tissue, and wastewater. The assay targeted theluxSgene and was able to distinguishS. marcescensfrom otherSerratiaspecies with a reliable quantitative limit of detection of 10 cell equivalents (CE) per reaction. The method could routinely discern the presence ofS. marcescensfor as few as 3 CE per reaction, but it could not be reliably quantified at this level. The assay detected environmentalS. marcescensin complex sewage influent samples at up to 761 CE ml−1and in septic system-impacted residential canals in the Florida Keys at up to 4.1 CE ml−1. This detection assay provided rapid quantitative abilities and good sensitivity and specificity, which should offer an important tool for monitoring this ubiquitous pathogen that can potentially impact both human health and coral health.

scholarly journals PHÁT HIỆN Bacillus sp. VK2 PHÂN LẬP TỪ Acropora hyacinthus Ở NINH THUẬN KHÁNG VI KHUẨN GÂY BỆNH “WHITE POX” CHO SAN HÔ Acropora palmata

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-204
Author(s):  
Pham Thi Mien ◽  
Nguyen Ngoc Thang ◽  
Nguyen Kim Hanh
Keyword(s):  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Bacillus Sp ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Associated Bacteria ◽  
Acropora Hyacinthus ◽  
Agar Diffusion Method

Coral associated bacteria and their role for the host are currently one of the interested issues for research and scientists worldwide. Search of associated bacteria with some species of hard coral in Hang Rai, Ninh Thuan found that the strain VK2 was the most abundant culture from Acropora hyacinthus. This bacterium was implicated to further study for antimicrobial tests with Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC6994, Escherichia coli O157, and Serratia marcescens PDL100 by agar diffusion method on MHA. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus sp. VK2. This strain showed inhibition of Serratia marcescens strain PDL100-as pandemic white pox disease for elkhorn coral Acropora palmata in Florida Keys, USA. However Bacillus sp. strain VK2 showed no inhibition against other indicators.

scholarly journals Removal of corallivorous snails as a proactive conservation tool

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana E Williams ◽  
Margaret W Miller ◽  
Allan J Bright ◽  
Caitlin M Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Partial Mortality ◽  
Host Coral ◽  
Coralliophila Abbreviata ◽  
Term Monitoring

Corallivorous snail feeding is a common source of tissue loss for the threatened coral Acropora palmata, accounting for roughly one-quarter of tissue loss in monitored study plots over seven years. However, corallivory by Coralliophila abbreviata is one of the few major sources of partial mortality (contrasting with threats such as bleaching, disease, or storm disturbances) that may be locally managed. We conducted a field experiment to explore the effectiveness and feasibility of snail removal. Long-term monitoring plots on six reefs in the upper Florida Keys were assigned to one of three removal treatments: 1) removal from A. palmata only, 2) removal from all host coral species, or 3) no-removal controls. During the initial removal in June 2011, 639 snails were removed from twelve 150 m2 plots. Snails were removed two additional times during a seven month “removal phase”, then counted at five surveys over the next 19 months to track recolonization. At the conclusion, snails were collected, measured, and sexed. Before-After-Control-Impact analysis revealed that both snail abundance and feeding scar prevalence were reduced in removal treatments compared to the control, but there was no difference between removal treatments. Recolonization by snails to baseline abundance is estimated to be 4.3 years and did not differ between removal treatments. Recolonization rate was significantly correlated with baseline snail abundance. Maximum snail size decreased from 47.0 mm to 34.6 mm in the removal treatments. The effort required to remove snails from A. palmata was 30 diver minutes per 150 m2 plot, compared with 51 minutes to remove snails from all host corals. Since there was no additional benefit observed with removing snails from all host species, removals can be more efficiently focused on only A. palmata colonies, and in areas where C. abbreviata abundance is high, to effectively conserve A. palmata in targeted areas.

scholarly journals Shifting white pox aetiologies affecting Acropora palmata in the Florida Keys, 1994–2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1689) ◽  
pp. 20150205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn P. Sutherland ◽  
Brett Berry ◽  
Andrew Park ◽  
Dustin W. Kemp ◽  
Keri M. Kemp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Disease ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Disease State ◽  
Moving Target ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Coral Diseases ◽  
Disease Aetiology ◽  
The Caribbean

We propose ‘the moving target hypothesis’ to describe the aetiology of a contemporary coral disease that differs from that of its historical disease state. Hitting the target with coral disease aetiology is a complex pursuit that requires understanding of host and environment, and may lack a single pathogen solution. White pox disease (WPX) affects the Caribbean coral Acropora palmata . Acroporid serratiosis is a form of WPX for which the bacterial pathogen ( Serratia marcescens ) has been established. We used long-term (1994–2014) photographic monitoring to evaluate historical and contemporary epizootiology and aetiology of WPX affecting A. palmata at eight reefs in the Florida Keys. Ranges of WPX prevalence over time (0–71.4%) were comparable for the duration of the 20-year study. Whole colony mortality and disease severity were high in historical (1994–2004), and low in contemporary (2008–2014), outbreaks of WPX. Acroporid serratiosis was diagnosed for some historical (1999, 2003) and contemporary (2012, 2013) outbreaks, but this form of WPX was not confirmed for all WPX cases. Our results serve as a context for considering aetiology as a moving target for WPX and other coral diseases for which pathogens are established and/or candidate pathogens are identified. Coral aetiology investigations completed to date suggest that changes in pathogen, host and/or environment alter the disease state and complicate diagnosis.

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