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Breitbart M, Hewson I. Coral-reef ecology: Expanding urchin disease threatens ecosystem balance. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R578-R580. [PMID: 38889681 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Sea urchins are critically important herbivores on coral reefs. A new study shows that a disease that decimated sea urchins in the Caribbean in 2022 has spread to the Red Sea, further threatening coral ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
| | - Ian Hewson
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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2
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Roth L, Eviatar G, Schmidt LM, Bonomo M, Feldstein-Farkash T, Schubert P, Ziegler M, Al-Sawalmih A, Abdallah IS, Quod JP, Bronstein O. Mass mortality of diadematoid sea urchins in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2693-2701.e4. [PMID: 38788707 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Sea urchins are primary herbivores on coral reefs, regulating algal biomass and facilitating coral settlement and growth.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 Recurring mass mortality events (MMEs) of Diadema species Gray, 1825 have been recorded globally,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23 the most notorious and ecologically significant of which occurred in the Caribbean in 1983,14,17,19,20 contributing to the shift from coral to algal-dominated ecosystems.17,24,25 Recently, first evidence of Diadema setosum mass mortality was reported from the eastern Mediterranean Sea.23 Here, we report extensive mass mortalities of several diadematoid species inhabiting the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean (WIO)26,27,28 including first evidence of mortalities in the genus Echinothrix Peters, 1853. Mortalities initiated in the Gulf of Aqaba on December 2022 and span the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Western Indian Ocean (Réunion Island), with population declines reaching 100% at some sites. Infected individuals are characterized by spine loss and tissue necrosis, resulting in exposed skeletons (i.e., tests) and mortality. Molecular diagnostics of the 18S rRNA gene confirm the presence of a waterborne scuticociliate protozoan most closely related to Philaster apodigitiformis in infected specimens-identical to the pathogen found in the 2022 Caribbean mass mortality of Diadema antillarum.13,15,18 Collapse of these key benthic grazers in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean may lead to algal dominance over corals, threatening the stability of coral reefs on a regional scale.29,30,31,32 We issue a warning regarding the further expansion of mortalities and call for immediate monitoring and conservation efforts for these key ecological species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachan Roth
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Gal Eviatar
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Lisa-Maria Schmidt
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Mai Bonomo
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | | | - Patrick Schubert
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ali Al-Sawalmih
- Marine Science Station, University of Jordan, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | | | - Jean-Pascal Quod
- Arvam, Technopole de la Réunion, le Kub, 6 rue Albert Lougnon, 97438 Réunion Island, France
| | - Omri Bronstein
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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3
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Clements CS, Pratte ZA, Stewart FJ, Hay ME. Removal of detritivore sea cucumbers from reefs increases coral disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1338. [PMID: 38409274 PMCID: PMC10897328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45730-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are in global decline with coral diseases playing a significant role. This is especially true for Acroporid corals that represent ~25% of all Pacific coral species and generate much of the topographic complexity supporting reef biodiversity. Coral diseases are commonly sediment-associated and could be exacerbated by overharvest of sea cucumber detritivores that clean reef sediments and may suppress microbial pathogens as they feed. Here we show, via field manipulations in both French Polynesia and Palmyra Atoll, that historically overharvested sea cucumbers strongly suppress disease among corals in contact with benthic sediments. Sea cucumber removal increased tissue mortality of Acropora pulchra by ~370% and colony mortality by ~1500%. Additionally, farmerfish that kill Acropora pulchra bases to culture their algal gardens further suppress disease by separating corals from contact with the disease-causing sediment-functioning as mutualists rather than parasites despite killing coral bases. Historic overharvesting of sea cucumbers increases coral disease and threatens the persistence of tropical reefs. Enhancing sea cucumbers may enhance reef resilience by suppressing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody S Clements
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zoe A Pratte
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Frank J Stewart
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Mark E Hay
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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4
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Godard RD, Wilson CM, Amstutz CG, Badawy N, Richardson B. Impacts of hurricanes and disease on Diadema antillarum in shallow water reef and mangrove locations in St John, USVI. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297026. [PMID: 38359027 PMCID: PMC10868783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The 1983-1984 mortality event of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum reduced their population by up to 99% and was accompanied by a phase shift from coral dominated to algal dominated reefs in the Caribbean. Modest rebounds of D. antillarum populations in the Caribbean have been noted, and here we document the impacts of two major hurricanes (2017, Irma and Maria) and the 2022 disease outbreak on populations of D. antillarum found by targeted surveys in the urchin zone at nine fringing reef and three mangrove sites on St. John, USVI. D. antillarum populations at the reef sites had declined by 66% five months after the hurricanes but showed significant recovery just one year later. The impact of recent disease on these populations was much more profound, with all reef populations exhibiting a significant decline (96.4% overall). Fifteen months after the disease was first noted, D. antillarum at reef sites exhibited a modest yet significant recovery (15% pre-disease density). D. antillarum populations in mangrove sites were impacted by the hurricanes but exhibited much higher density than reef sites after the disease outbreak, suggesting that at D. antillarum in some locations may be less vulnerable to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee D. Godard
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Hollins University, Roanoke, Va, United States of America
| | - C. Morgan Wilson
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Hollins University, Roanoke, Va, United States of America
| | | | - Natalie Badawy
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Hollins University, Roanoke, Va, United States of America
| | - Brittany Richardson
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Hollins University, Roanoke, Va, United States of America
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5
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Ritchie IT, Vilanova-Cuevas B, Altera A, Cornfield K, Evans C, Evans JS, Hopson-Fernandes M, Kellogg CA, Looker E, Taylor O, Hewson I, Breitbart M. Transglobal spread of an ecologically relevant sea urchin parasite. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae024. [PMID: 38366175 PMCID: PMC11021812 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Mass mortality of the dominant coral reef herbivore Diadema antillarum in the Caribbean in the early 1980s contributed to a persistent phase shift from coral- to algal-dominated reefs. In 2022, a scuticociliate most closely related to Philaster apodigitiformis caused further mass mortality of D. antillarum across the Caribbean, leading to >95% mortality at affected sites. Mortality was also reported in the related species Diadema setosum in the Mediterranean in 2022, though the causative agent of the Mediterranean outbreak has not yet been determined. In April 2023, mass mortality of Diadema setosum occurred along the Sultanate of Oman's coastline. Urchins displayed signs compatible with scuticociliatosis including abnormal behavior, drooping and loss of spines, followed by tissue necrosis and death. Here we report the detection of an 18S rRNA gene sequence in abnormal urchins from Muscat, Oman, that is identical to the Philaster strain responsible for D. antillarum mass mortality in the Caribbean. We also show that scuticociliatosis signs can be elicited in Diadema setosum by experimental challenge with the cultivated Philaster strain associated with Caribbean scuticociliatosis. These results demonstrate the Philaster sp. associated with D. antillarum mass mortality has rapidly spread to geographically distant coral reefs, compelling global-scale awareness and monitoring for this devastating condition through field surveys, microscopy, and molecular microbiological approaches, and prompting investigation of long-range transmission mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella T Ritchie
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
| | | | - Ashley Altera
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | | | - Ceri Evans
- Five Oceans Environmental Services, Muscat 131, Oman
| | - James S Evans
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
| | - Maria Hopson-Fernandes
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
| | - Christina A Kellogg
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
| | - Elayne Looker
- Five Oceans Environmental Services, Muscat 131, Oman
| | - Oliver Taylor
- Five Oceans Environmental Services, Muscat 131, Oman
| | - Ian Hewson
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
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6
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Rodríguez-Barreras R, Ruiz-Diaz CP, Quiñones-Otero MA, Toledo-Hernández C. Uneven demographic consequences of the 2022 disease outbreak for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in Puerto Rico. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16675. [PMID: 38144189 PMCID: PMC10748467 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pervasive epizootic events have had a significant impact on marine invertebrates throughout the Caribbean, leading to severe population declines and consequential ecological implications. One such event was the regional collapse of herbivory, partly caused by the Diadema antillarum mortality event in 1983-84, resulting in a trophic cascade and altering the structure of reef communities. Consequently, there was a notable decrease in coral recruitment and an increase in the coverage of macroalgae. Nearly four decades later, in early 2022, the Caribbean basin experienced another widespread mass mortality event, further reducing the populations of D. antillarum. To assess the effects of this recent mortality event on the current demographics of D. antillarum, we surveyed eight populations along the eastern, northeastern, northern, and northwestern coast of Puerto Rico from May to July 2022, estimating their population density, size distribution, and disease prevalence. Additionally, the study compared these population parameters with data from four sites previously surveyed in 2012 and 2017 to understand the impact of the recent mortality event. The survey conducted in 2022 showed varying population densities at the surveyed reefs. Some populations exhibited mean densities of nearly one individual per square meter, while others had extremely low or no living individuals per square meter. The four populations with the highest density showed no evidence of disease, whereas the four populations with the lowest D. antillarum densities exhibited moderate to high disease prevalence. However, when considering all sites, the estimated disease prevalence remained below 5%. Nevertheless, the comparison with data from 2012 and 2017 indicated that the recent mortality event had a negative impact on D. antillarum demographics at multiple sites, as the densities in 2022 were reduced by 60.19% compared to those from the previous years. However, it is still too early to determine the severity of this new mortality event compared to the 1983-84 mortality event. Therefore, it is imperative to continue monitoring these populations.
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Goggin CL, Leung TLF, Byrne M, Murphy NE, Koen T. Prevalence of the scuticociliate Orchitophrya stellarum in seastars from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2023; 156:89-98. [PMID: 38095364 DOI: 10.3354/dao03764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
As part of a study to investigate the use of the scuticociliate Orchitophrya stellarum as a biological control for the invasive seastar Asterias amurensis in Australia, we collected prevalence data for O. stellarum from 3 seastar species (A. amurensis, A. rubens, Pisaster ochraceus) between 1996 and 1999 from the Pacific (Australia, Japan, Korea, Canada) and Atlantic (France, Netherlands, Canada) oceans. In the Pacific Ocean, for the first time, we found O. stellarum in male A. amurensis in Korea and female A. amurensis in Japan. The parasite was not detected in the invasive A. amurensis from Australia. There was no significant difference between size of infected and uninfected male seastars, nor a correlation between biased sex ratio and parasite prevalence in populations in the Pacific or Atlantic oceans. Therefore, unlike other studies, we found size and sex ratio in seastar populations in the field are unreliable indicators of parasite impacts. Regular monitoring of infected seastar populations in the field would be useful to better understand how sex ratio varies with parasite prevalence. We recommend laboratory studies under controlled conditions to determine the effect of O. stellarum on seastar populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Louise Goggin
- CSIRO Marine Laboratories, 3-4 Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
- Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Tommy L F Leung
- Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Maria Byrne
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marine Studies Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nicole E Murphy
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Terry Koen
- Department of Land and Water Conservation, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia
- Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia
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Zirler R, Schmidt LM, Roth L, Corsini-Foka M, Kalaentzis K, Kondylatos G, Mavrouleas D, Bardanis E, Bronstein O. Mass mortality of the invasive alien echinoid Diadema setosum (Echinoidea: Diadematidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230251. [PMID: 37234498 PMCID: PMC10206462 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The sea urchin Diadema setosum is an ecological key species across its range, particularly on coral reefs. In 2006 D. setosum was first observed in the Mediterranean Sea, and since, it has proliferated to occupy the entire Levantine Basin. Here we report the mass mortality of the invasive D. setosum in the Mediterranean Sea. This is the first report of D. setosum mass mortality. The mortality spans over 1000 km along the Levantine coast of Greece and Turkey. The current mortality shows similar pathologies to previously reported Diadema mass mortality events, suggesting pathogenic infection as the cause of mortalities. Maritime transport, local currents, and fish predation of infected individuals may distribute pathogens at varying geographical scales. Due to the proximity of the Levantine Basin to the Red Sea, the risk of pathogen transport to the native Red Sea D. setosum population is imminent-with potentially catastrophic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rotem Zirler
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Lisa-Maria Schmidt
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Science in Eilat, Eilat 8810302, Israel
| | - Lachan Roth
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Maria Corsini-Foka
- Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Cos Street, 85100 Rhodes, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kalaentzis
- Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Cos Street, 85100 Rhodes, Greece
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerasimos Kondylatos
- Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Cos Street, 85100 Rhodes, Greece
| | - Dimitris Mavrouleas
- Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Cos Street, 85100 Rhodes, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Bardanis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Omri Bronstein
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Vega Thurber R, Hay M. Mystery solved: Disease detectives identify the cause of a mass die-off in the sea. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh5478. [PMID: 37075120 PMCID: PMC10115403 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh5478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A mass sea urchin die-off in the Caribbean Sea in the 1980s resulted from a single-cell protist called a scuticociliate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Hay
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0230, USA
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Shaw CG, Pavloudi C, Barela Hudgell MA, Crow RS, Saw JH, Pyron RA, Smith LC. Bald sea urchin disease shifts the surface microbiome on purple sea urchins in an aquarium. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad025. [PMID: 37715299 PMCID: PMC10550250 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bald sea urchin disease (BSUD) is most likely a bacterial infection that occurs in a wide range of sea urchin species and causes the loss of surface appendages. The disease has a variety of additional symptoms, which may be the result of the many bacteria that are associated with BSUD. Previous studies have investigated causative agents of BSUD, however, there are few reports on the surface microbiome associated with the infection. Here, we report changes to the surface microbiome on purple sea urchins in a closed marine aquarium that contracted and then recovered from BSUD in addition to the microbiome of healthy sea urchins in a separate aquarium. 16S rRNA gene sequencing shows that microhabitats of different aquaria are characterized by different microbial compositions, and that diseased, recovered, and healthy sea urchins have distinct microbial compositions, which indicates that there is a correlation between microbial shifts and recovery from disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe G Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - Christina Pavloudi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - Megan A Barela Hudgell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - Ryley S Crow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - Jimmy H Saw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - R Alexander Pyron
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
| | - L Courtney Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Suite 6000 Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States
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