1
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Canty SWJ, Nowakowski AJ, Cox CE, Valdivia A, Holstein DM, Limer B, Lefcheck JS, Craig N, Drysdale I, Giro A, Soto M, McField M. Interplay of management and environmental drivers shifts size structure of reef fish communities. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17257. [PMID: 38572701 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17257] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Countries are expanding marine protected area (MPA) networks to mitigate fisheries declines and support marine biodiversity. However, MPA impact evaluations typically assess total fish biomass. Here, we examine how fish biomass disaggregated by adult and juvenile life stages responds to environmental drivers, including sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and human footprint, and multiple management types at 139 reef sites in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) region. We found that total fish biomass generally appears stable across the region from 2006 to 2018, with limited rebuilding of fish stocks in MPAs. However, the metric of total fish biomass masked changes in fish community structure, with lower adult than juvenile fish biomass at northern sites, and adult:juvenile ratios closer to 1:1 at southern sites. These shifts were associated with different responses of juvenile and adult fish to environmental drivers and management. Juvenile fish biomass increased at sites with high larval connectivity and coral cover, whereas adult fish biomass decreased at sites with greater human footprint and SST anomalies. Adult fish biomass decreased primarily in Honduran general use zones, which suggests insufficient protection for adult fish in the southern MAR. There was a north-south gradient in management and environmental drivers, with lower coverage of fully protected areas and higher SST anomalies and coastal development in the south that together may undermine the maintenance of adult fish biomass in the southern MAR. Accounting for the interplay between environmental drivers and management in the design of MPAs is critical for increasing fish biomass across life history stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W J Canty
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, USA
| | - A Justin Nowakowski
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, USA
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Abel Valdivia
- World Wildlife Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel M Holstein
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Benjamin Limer
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jonathan S Lefcheck
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicole Craig
- Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Ian Drysdale
- Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Ana Giro
- Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Mélina Soto
- Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Melanie McField
- Healthy Reefs Initiative, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
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2
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Sturm AB, Eckert RJ, Carreiro AM, Klein AM, Studivan MS, Dodge Farelli D, Simões N, González‐Díaz P, González Méndez J, Voss JD. Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10622. [PMID: 38020681 PMCID: PMC10631546 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite general declines in coral reef ecosystems in the tropical western Atlantic, some reefs, including mesophotic reefs (30-150 m), are hypothesized to function as coral refugia due to their relative isolation from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the connectivity dynamics among these putative refugia and more degraded reefs is critical to develop effective management strategies that promote coral metapopulation persistence and recovery. This study presents a geographically broad assessment of shallow (<30 m) and mesophotic (>30 m) connectivity dynamics of the depth-generalist coral species Montastraea cavernosa. Over 750 coral genets were collected across the Northwest and Southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Belize, and ~5000 SNP loci were generated to quantify high-resolution genetic structure and connectivity among these populations. Generally, shallow and mesophotic populations demonstrated higher connectivity to distant populations within the same depth zone than to adjacent populations across depth zones. However, exceptions to this pattern include the Northwest Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys which exhibited relatively high vertical genetic connectivity. Furthermore, estimates of recent gene flow emphasize that mesophotic M. cavernosa populations are not significant sources for their local shallow counterparts, except for the Northwest Gulf of Mexico populations. Location-based differences in vertical connectivity are likely a result of diverse oceanographic and environmental conditions that may drive variation in gene flow and depth-dependent selection. These results highlight the need to evaluate connectivity dynamics and refugia potential of mesophotic coral species on a population-by-population basis and to identify stepping-stone populations that warrant incorporation in future international management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis B. Sturm
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Ryan J. Eckert
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Ashley M. Carreiro
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Allison M. Klein
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Michael S. Studivan
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS)University of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (AOML)MiamiFloridaUSA
| | | | - Nuno Simões
- Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación–Sisal, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Nacional Autonoma de MéxicoSisalYucatánMexico
- International Chair for Coastal and Marine Studies, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico StudiesTexas A&M University‐Corpus ChristiCorpus ChristiTexasUSA
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera (LANRESC), Laboratorios NacionalesCONACYTSisalMexico
| | | | | | - Joshua D. Voss
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
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3
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McGillicuddy DJ, Morton PL, Brewton RA, Hu C, Kelly TB, Solow AR, Lapointe BE. Nutrient and arsenic biogeochemistry of Sargassum in the western Atlantic. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6205. [PMID: 37798289 PMCID: PMC10556059 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41904-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The oceanographic ecology of pelagic Sargassum, and the means by which these floating macroalgae thrive in the nutrient-poor waters of the open ocean, have been studied for decades. Beginning in 2011, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB) emerged, with Sargassum proliferating in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean where it had not previously been abundant. Here we show that the nutritional status of Sargassum in the GASB is distinct, with higher nitrogen and phosphorus content than populations residing in its Sargasso Sea habitat. Moreover, we find that variations in arsenic content of Sargassum reflect phosphorus limitation, following a hyperbolic relationship predicted from Michaelis-Menten nutrient uptake kinetics. Although the sources of nutrients fueling the GASB are not yet clear, our results suggest that nitrogen and phosphorus content of Sargassum, together with its isotopic composition, can be used to identify those sources, whether they be atmospheric, oceanic, or riverine in origin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Lynn Morton
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rachel Aileen Brewton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - Chuanmin Hu
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Thomas Bryce Kelly
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | | | - Brian Edward Lapointe
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
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4
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Díaz-López AM, Hernández-Arana HA, Vega-Zepeda A, Ruiz-Zárate MÁ, Victoria-Salazar I. Changes in the community structure of stony corals in the southern Mexican Caribbean. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106154. [PMID: 37678100 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The Mexican Caribbean coral reef ecosystem has endured the effects of global and regional stressors and, recently, the massive arrivals of the free-living, floating brown algae Sargassum spp. This study aimed to evaluate spatiotemporal changes in the stony coral community structure in the southern Mexican Caribbean by a temporal comparison of live coral cover and colony density using a data set collected in 2008-2009 and a recent survey in 2021 within a Protected Natural Area. A multivariate analysis approach was used to reveal spatiotemporal changes in coral cover and colony densities. Coral cover ranged from 6.9 to 8.9% in 2008-2009 to 6.5% in 2021, the lowest values recorded for the area. Coral colony density ranged from 0.68 to 0.78 colonies m-1 in 2008-2009 to 0.68 colonies m-1 in 2021. The present results appear to represent subtle changes during the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Mauri Díaz-López
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Héctor Abuid Hernández-Arana
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Vega-Zepeda
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Isael Victoria-Salazar
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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5
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Medellín-Maldonado F, Cruz-Ortega I, Pérez-Cervantes E, Norzogaray-López O, Carricart-Ganivet JP, López-Pérez A, Alvarez-Filip L. Newly deceased Caribbean reef-building corals experience rapid carbonate loss and colonization by endolithic organisms. Commun Biol 2023; 6:934. [PMID: 37699971 PMCID: PMC10497637 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral mortality triggers the loss of carbonates fixed within coral skeletons, compromising the reef matrix. Here, we estimate rates of carbonate loss in newly deceased colonies of four Caribbean reef-building corals. We use samples from living and recently deceased colonies following a stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) outbreak. Optical densitometry and porosity analyses reveal a loss of up to 40% of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in dead colonies. The metabolic activity of the endolithic organisms colonizing the dead skeletons is likely partially responsible for the observed dissolution. To test for the consequences of mass mortality events over larger spatial scales, we integrate our estimates of carbonate loss with field data of the composition and size structure of coral communities. The dissolution rate depends on the relative abundance of coral species and the structural properties of their skeletons, yet we estimate an average reduction of 1.33 kg CaCO3 m-2, nearly 7% of the total amount of CaCO3 sequestered in the entire system. Our findings highlight the importance of including biological and chemical processes of CaCO3 dissolution in reef carbonate budgets, particularly as the impacts of global warming, ocean acidification, and disease likely enhance dissolution processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Medellín-Maldonado
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico.
- Laboratorio de Arrecifes y Biodiversidad, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Israel Cruz-Ortega
- Laboratorio de Esclerocronología de Corales Arrecifales, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Orion Norzogaray-López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas y Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, 22860, Ensenada, BC, Mexico
| | - Juan P Carricart-Ganivet
- Laboratorio de Esclerocronología de Corales Arrecifales, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Andrés López-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Arrecifes y Biodiversidad, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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6
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Hawthorn A, Berzins IK, Dennis MM, Kiupel M, Newton AL, Peters EC, Reyes VA, Work TM. An introduction to lesions and histology of scleractinian corals. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:529-546. [PMID: 37519147 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231189289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Stony corals (Scleractinia) are in the Phylum Cnidaria (cnidae referring to various types of stinging cells). They may be solitary or colonial, but all secrete an external, supporting aragonite skeleton. Large, colonial members of this phylum are responsible for the accretion of coral reefs in tropical and subtropical waters that form the foundations of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems. Coral reefs worldwide, but particularly in the Caribbean, are experiencing unprecedented levels of disease, resulting in reef degradation. Most coral diseases remain poorly described and lack clear case definitions, while the etiologies and pathogenesis are even more elusive. This introductory guide is focused on reef-building corals and describes basic gross and microscopic lesions in these corals in order to serve as an invitation to other veterinary pathologists to play a critical role in defining and advancing the field of coral pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aine Hawthorn
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
- U.S. Geological Survey, Seattle, WA
| | - Ilze K Berzins
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- One Water, One Health, LLC, Golden Valley, MN
| | | | | | - Alisa L Newton
- ZooQuatic Laboratory, LLC, Baltimore, MD
- OCEARCH, Park City, UT
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7
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Mudge L, Bruno JF. Disturbance intensification is altering the trait composition of Caribbean reefs, locking them into a low functioning state. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14022. [PMID: 37640770 PMCID: PMC10462730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40672-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is intensifying natural disturbance regimes, which negatively affects some species, while benefiting others. This could alter the trait composition of ecological communities and influence resilience to disturbance. We investigated how the frequency and intensification of the regional storm regime (and likely other disturbances) is altering coral species composition and in turn resistance and recovery. We developed regional databases of coral cover and composition (3144 reef locations from 1970 to 2017) and of the path and strength of cyclonic storms in the region (including 10,058 unique storm-reef intersections). We found that total living coral cover declined steadily through 2017 (the median annual loss rate was ~ 0.25% per year). Our results also indicate that despite the observed increase in the intensity of Atlantic cyclonic storms, their effect on coral cover has decreased markedly. This could be due in part to selection for disturbance-resistant taxa in response to the intensifying disturbance regime. We found that storms accelerated the loss of threatened acroporid corals but had no measurable effect on the cover of more resilient "weedy" corals, thereby increasing their relative cover. Although resistance to disturbance has increased, recovery rates have slowed due to the dominance of small, slow-growing species. This feedback loop is locking coral communities into a low-functioning state dominated by weedy species with limited ecological or societal value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mudge
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Barefoot Ocean, LLC., Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - John F Bruno
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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8
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Evans JS, Paul VJ, Ushijima B, Pitts KA, Kellogg CA. Investigating microbial size classes associated with the transmission of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). PeerJ 2023; 11:e15836. [PMID: 37637172 PMCID: PMC10460154 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15836] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective treatment and prevention of any disease necessitates knowledge of the causative agent, yet the causative agents of most coral diseases remain unknown, in part due to the difficulty of distinguishing the pathogenic microbe(s) among the complex microbial backdrop of coral hosts. Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is a particularly destructive disease of unknown etiology, capable of transmitting through the water column and killing entire colonies within a matter of weeks. Here we used a previously described method to (i) isolate diseased and apparently healthy coral colonies within individual mesocosms containing filtered seawater with low microbial background levels; (ii) incubate for several days to enrich the water with coral-shed microbes; (iii) use tangential-flow filtration to concentrate the microbial community in the mesocosm water; and then (iv) filter the resulting concentrate through a sequential series of different pore-sized filters. To investigate the size class of microorganism(s) associated with SCTLD transmission, we used 0.8 µm pore size filters to capture microeukaryotes and expelled zooxanthellae, 0.22 µm pore size filters to capture bacteria and large viruses, and 0.025 µm pore size filters to capture smaller viruses. In an attempt to further refine which size fraction(s) contained the transmissible element of SCTLD, we then applied these filters to healthy "receiver" coral fragments and monitored them for the onset of SCTLD signs over three separate experimental runs. However, several factors outside of our control confounded the transmission results, rendering them inconclusive. As the bulk of prior studies of SCTLD in coral tissues have primarily investigated the associated bacterial community, we chose to characterize the prokaryotic community associated with all mesocosm 0.22 µm pore size filters using Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. We identified overlaps with prior SCTLD studies, including the presence of numerous previously identified SCTLD bioindicators within our mesocosms. The identification in our mesocosms of specific bacterial amplicon sequence variants that also appear across prior studies spanning different collection years, geographic regions, source material, and coral species, suggests that bacteria may play some role in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Evans
- St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Valerie J. Paul
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Blake Ushijima
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kelly A. Pitts
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Christina A. Kellogg
- St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
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Mendoza Quiroz S, Beltrán-Torres AU, Grosso-Becerra MV, Muñoz Villareal D, Tecalco Rentería R, Banaszak AT. Long-term survival, growth, and reproduction of Acropora palmata sexual recruits outplanted onto Mexican Caribbean reefs. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15813. [PMID: 37547720 PMCID: PMC10402697 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15813] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acropora palmata is a foundational yet endangered Caribbean reef-building coral species. The lack of recovery after a disease outbreak and low recruitment has led to widespread use of fragmentation to restore populations. Another option is the production of sexual recruits (settlers) via assisted reproduction to improve the genetic diversity of depleted populations; however, the viability of this approach has not been tested over the long term. In 2011 and 2012, A. palmata larvae were cultured, settled, and the sexual recruits raised in an ex-situ nursery. Survival and growth were monitored over time. In 2014, these two F1 cohorts were moved to an in-situ nursery and after one year, a subset (29 colonies) was outplanted onto Cuevones Reef in the Mexican Caribbean. Growth and survival of these colonies were monitored periodically and compared to colonies that remained in the in-situ nursery. In 2019, samples were collected and analyzed for fertility and fecundity. 53% of the colonies were gravid and fecundity was 5.61 ± 1.91 oocytes and 3.04 ± 0.26 spermaries per polyp. A further 14 colonies from these two cohorts were outplanted in 2020 onto Picudas Reef and monitored during the subsequent spawning seasons. Two years after outplanting onto Picudas Reef, all colonies were alive and spawning of three of these colonies was recorded in 2022 in synchrony with the wild population. Gametes were collected from two colonies and crossed, with 15% fertilization success. Spermatozoa from wild colonies were then added and fertilization success increased to 95%. The resultant larvae followed normal development and symbiont uptake was visible within two weeks. The F2 generation was settled, maintained in an ex-situ nursery, and monitored for survival and growth. Both F1 and F2 generations followed a Type III survival curve with high initial mortality while in the ex-situ nursery and low later-stage mortality. The growth rates of these colonies increased three-fold after outplanting when compared to their growth rates in the ex-situ and in-situ nurseries. All colonies survived while in the in-situ nursery and for an additional nine years after outplanting onto Cuevones Reef. Overall, our results show that colonies produced by assisted breeding, once outplanted, may contribute to the genetic diversity and establishment of self-sustaining sexually-reproducing populations, which is an overarching goal of coral restoration programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mendoza Quiroz
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | | | - Maria Victoria Grosso-Becerra
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | | | - Raúl Tecalco Rentería
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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10
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Mendoza Quiroz S, Tecalco Renteria R, Ramírez Tapia GG, Miller MW, Grosso-Becerra MV, Banaszak AT. Coral affected by stony coral tissue loss disease can produce viable offspring. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15519. [PMID: 37465157 PMCID: PMC10351504 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has caused high mortality of at least 25 coral species across the Caribbean, with Pseudodiploria strigosa being the second most affected species in the Mexican Caribbean. The resulting decreased abundance and colony density reduces the fertilization potential of SCTLD-susceptible species. Therefore, larval-based restoration could be of great benefit, though precautionary concerns about disease transmission may foster reluctance to implement this approach with SCTLD-susceptible species. We evaluated the performance of offspring obtained by crossing gametes of a healthy P. strigosa colony (100% apparently healthy tissue) with that of a colony affected by SCTLD (>50% tissue loss) and compared these with prior crosses between healthy parents. Fertilization and settlement were as high as prior crosses among healthy parents, and post-settlement survivorship over a year in outdoor tanks was 7.8%. After thirteen months, the diseased-parent recruits were outplanted to a degraded reef. Their survivorship was ∼44% and their growth rate was 0.365 mm ± 1.29 SD per month. This study shows that even diseased parent colonies can be effective in assisted sexual reproduction for the restoration of species affected by SCTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mendoza Quiroz
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Raúl Tecalco Renteria
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Gandhi Germán Ramírez Tapia
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | | | - Maria Victoria Grosso-Becerra
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
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11
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Zhang P, Shen MC, Zhang XY, Wang HY, Wang ZP. Valorization of the pelagic Sargassum horneri for co-production of erythritol and alginate oligosaccharides. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 379:128984. [PMID: 37003453 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pelagic Sargassum is invasive macroalgae with huge biomass. To produce bulk chemicals with profit from the biomass, innovative strategies need to be developed. In this study, maximum saccharification yield of Sargassum horneri biomass was obtained with the combined use of 3% alginate lyase and 3% cellulase, releasing 20.83 g/L glucose and 1.73 g/L mannitol at a 1:6 feed ratio. Subsequently, the crude S. horneri hydrolysate (pH 3.0) was proved most suitable for erythritol production of Yarrowia lipolytica strain. After 60 h fermentation in a 10-L fermenter, the erythritol concentration reached 18.42 g/L with a yield of 0.82 g/g; while the concentration of alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) was 37.56 g/L. Finally, AOS with a purity of 93.4% were obtained by ethanol precipitation, and erythritol was harvested via crystallization. This proposed strategy demonstrates the feasibility of transforming invasive Sargassum into two high-value chemicals for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Min-Chong Shen
- Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Xin-Yue Zhang
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Hai-Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Polar Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Wang
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
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12
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Velázquez-Ochoa R, Enríquez S. Environmental degradation of the Mexican Caribbean reef lagoons. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114947. [PMID: 37086550 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient attention to the large volumes of wastewater produced by expansive tourism and urban development in the north of the Mexican Caribbean has increased concerns on the ecological and economic sustainability of this important tourist destination, which is currently threatened by massive arrivals of pelagic Sargassum. Comparing environmental descriptions for sites exposed to contrasting anthropogenic pressure and before and during massive Sargassum tides, uncovered significant shifts in the environmental conditions in the last 20 years, from oligotrophic to mesotrophic-eutrophic conditions. The most significant changes were observed in the north, for habitats exposed to high anthropogenic pressure. Accordingly, the severe threat that massive Sargassum beaching currently represents for the survival of Caribbean coral reefs cannot be considered the only driver of reef eutrophication in the Mexican Caribbean, as the habitat degradation documented here has an important contribution from anthropogenic fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Velázquez-Ochoa
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal #13, 77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Susana Enríquez
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal #13, 77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
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13
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Ushijima B, Gunasekera SP, Meyer JL, Tittl J, Pitts KA, Thompson S, Sneed JM, Ding Y, Chen M, Jay Houk L, Aeby GS, Häse CC, Paul VJ. Chemical and genomic characterization of a potential probiotic treatment for stony coral tissue loss disease. Commun Biol 2023; 6:248. [PMID: 37024599 PMCID: PMC10079959 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04590-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Considered one of the most devastating coral disease outbreaks in history, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is currently spreading throughout Florida's coral reefs and the greater Caribbean. SCTLD affects at least two dozen different coral species and has been implicated in extensive losses of coral cover. Here we show Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain McH1-7 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against SCTLD-associated bacterial isolates. Chemical analyses indicated McH1-7 produces at least two potential antibacterials, korormicin and tetrabromopyrrole, while genomic analysis identified the genes potentially encoding an L-amino acid oxidase and multiple antibacterial metalloproteases (pseudoalterins). During laboratory trials, McH1-7 arrested or slowed disease progression on 68.2% of diseased Montastraea cavernosa fragments treated (n = 22), and it prevented disease transmission by 100% (n = 12). McH1-7 is the most chemically characterized coral probiotic that is an effective prophylactic and direct treatment for the destructive SCTLD as well as a potential alternative to antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Ushijima
- Department of Biology & Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28403, USA.
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA.
| | | | - Julie L Meyer
- Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jessica Tittl
- Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Kelly A Pitts
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA
| | - Sharon Thompson
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jennifer M Sneed
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA
| | - Yousong Ding
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Manyun Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - L Jay Houk
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA
| | - Greta S Aeby
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA
| | - Claudia C Häse
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Valerie J Paul
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Fort Piece, FL, 34949, USA.
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14
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Page CE, Leggat W, Egan S, Ainsworth TD. A coral disease outbreak highlights vulnerability of remote high-latitude lagoons to global and local stressors. iScience 2023; 26:106205. [PMID: 36915696 PMCID: PMC10006636 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of coral disease are often associated with global and local stressors like changes in temperature and poor water quality. A severe coral disease outbreak was recorded in the primary reef-building taxa Montipora spp. in a high-latitude lagoon at Norfolk Island following heat stress and pollution events in 2020. Disease signs suggest the occurrence of a Montiporid White Syndrome with four distinct phases and maximum measured tissue loss of 329 mm-2 day-1. In December 2020 and April 2021, 60% of the Montipora community were impacted and disease severity increased by 54% over this period. Spatial patterns in prevalence indicate the disease is associated with exposure to poor water quality in addition to size class of coral colonies. High prevalence levels make this event comparable to some of the most severe coral disease outbreaks recorded to date demonstrating the vulnerability of this system to combined impacts of warming and pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Page
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - William Leggat
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Suhelen Egan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - Tracy D Ainsworth
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
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15
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Rosales SM, Huebner LK, Evans JS, Apprill A, Baker AC, Becker CC, Bellantuono AJ, Brandt ME, Clark AS, Del Campo J, Dennison CE, Eaton KR, Huntley NE, Kellogg CA, Medina M, Meyer JL, Muller EM, Rodriguez-Lanetty M, Salerno JL, Schill WB, Shilling EN, Stewart JM, Voss JD. A meta-analysis of the stony coral tissue loss disease microbiome finds key bacteria in unaffected and lesion tissue in diseased colonies. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:19. [PMID: 36894742 PMCID: PMC9998881 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been causing significant whole colony mortality on reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. The cause of SCTLD remains unknown, with the limited concurrence of SCTLD-associated bacteria among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene datasets generated by 16 field and laboratory SCTLD studies to find consistent bacteria associated with SCTLD across disease zones (vulnerable, endemic, and epidemic), coral species, coral compartments (mucus, tissue, and skeleton), and colony health states (apparently healthy colony tissue (AH), and unaffected (DU) and lesion (DL) tissue from diseased colonies). We also evaluated bacteria in seawater and sediment, which may be sources of SCTLD transmission. Although AH colonies in endemic and epidemic zones harbor bacteria associated with SCTLD lesions, and aquaria and field samples had distinct microbial compositions, there were still clear differences in the microbial composition among AH, DU, and DL in the combined dataset. Alpha-diversity between AH and DL was not different; however, DU showed increased alpha-diversity compared to AH, indicating that, prior to lesion formation, corals may undergo a disturbance to the microbiome. This disturbance may be driven by Flavobacteriales, which were especially enriched in DU. In DL, Rhodobacterales and Peptostreptococcales-Tissierellales were prominent in structuring microbial interactions. We also predict an enrichment of an alpha-toxin in DL samples which is typically found in Clostridia. We provide a consensus of SCTLD-associated bacteria prior to and during lesion formation and identify how these taxa vary across studies, coral species, coral compartments, seawater, and sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Rosales
- The University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL, USA.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Lindsay K Huebner
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - James S Evans
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Amy Apprill
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Andrew C Baker
- The University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cynthia C Becker
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Marilyn E Brandt
- The University of the Virgin Islands, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, St. Thomas, VI, USA
| | - Abigail S Clark
- The College of the Florida Keys, Marine Science and Technology, Key West, FL, USA
- Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Mote Marine Laboratory, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | - Javier Del Campo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC - Universitat Pompeu Fabra)-Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caroline E Dennison
- The University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Katherine R Eaton
- The University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL, USA
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, FL, USA
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Coral Health and Disease Program, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - Naomi E Huntley
- The Pennsylvania State University, Biology Department, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Christina A Kellogg
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Mónica Medina
- The Pennsylvania State University, Biology Department, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Julie L Meyer
- University of Florida, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Erinn M Muller
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Coral Health and Disease Program, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | | | - Jennifer L Salerno
- George Mason University, Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Woodbridge, VA, USA
| | - William B Schill
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown, WV, USA
| | - Erin N Shilling
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - Julia Marie Stewart
- The Pennsylvania State University, Biology Department, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Joshua D Voss
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
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16
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Trends in Dominican Republic Coral Reef Biodiversity 2015–2022. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15030389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, we initiated a country-wide coral reef ecosystem-monitoring program in the Dominican Republic (DR) to establish biodiversity baselines against which trends in the most important components of coral reef ecosystem’s structure and function could be tracked. Replicate transects were set at a 10 m depth at each of the 12 coral reef sites within 6 DR regions in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. We quantified the species-level abundances of adult and juvenile corals, reef fishes, sea urchins, lionfishes, and algal functional groups. Country-wide, coral cover and reef fishes have declined. The steepest declines occurred for reefs that had been among the best in the Caribbean in 2015. However, by 2022, adult and juvenile coral, parrotfish, and other herbivores had declined, and macroalgae had increased. The declines in north-shore coral abundance corresponded with the observed disturbances from coral bleaching, hurricanes, and disease. The capacity of reefs to recover from such disturbances has been compromised by abundant and increasing macroalgae that have likely contributed to north-shore declines in juvenile corals. Country-wide, the abundance of all reef fish species has declined below those of other regions of the Caribbean. Improved management of fishing pressure on coral reefs would likely yield positive results.
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17
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Gordillo Sierra AR, Amador-Castro LF, Ramírez-Partida AE, García-Cayuela T, Carrillo-Nieves D, Alper HS. Valorization of Caribbean Sargassum biomass as a source of alginate and sugars for de novo biodiesel production. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 324:116364. [PMID: 36191503 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Since 2011, a massive influx of pelagic brown algae Sargassum has invaded coastlines causing environmental and economic disaster. Valorizing this plentiful macroalgae can present much needed economic relief to the areas affected. Here the production of biodiesel and a high-value alginate stream using Sargassum biomass collected from the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico is reported. Biomass was pretreated via AEA (Alginate Extraction Autohydrolysis) and enzymatic saccharification via fungal Solid State Fermentation, releasing 7 g/L total sugars. The sugar mixture was fermented using engineered Yarrowia lipolytica resulting in 0.35 g/L total lipid titer at the lab tube scale. Additionally, the capability of extracting 0.3875 g/g DW of a high-value, purified alginate stream from this material is demonstrated. The findings presented here are promising and suggest an opportunity for the optimization and scale up of a biodiesel production biorefinery for utilization of Sargassum seaweeds during seasons of high invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Gordillo Sierra
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Luis Fernando Amador-Castro
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Carrillo Biorefinery Lab, Av. General Ramón Corona No. 2514, 45201, Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Andreé E Ramírez-Partida
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Carrillo Biorefinery Lab, Av. General Ramón Corona No. 2514, 45201, Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Tomás García-Cayuela
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Food and Biotech Lab, Av. General Ramón Corona No. 2514, 45201, Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Danay Carrillo-Nieves
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Carrillo Biorefinery Lab, Av. General Ramón Corona No. 2514, 45201, Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, TX, 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway Avenue, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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18
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Development and characterization of 148 SNP markers in the caribbean symmetrical brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-022-01294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAs coral reefs decline, restoring lost coral populations has been hampered due to the paucity of genetic information available for many coral species. In the Caribbean, the symmetrical brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa, a prominent framework builder of the reef, has experienced an accelerated decline due to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). Colonies of P. strigosa gene-banked in response to the threat of SCTLD in Florida, USA, were sampled to develop 148 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.008 to 0.888 and 0.018 to 0.500, respectively. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium within populations, measured by the inbreeding coefficient index (Fis), ranged from − 0.799 to 0.923. In total, 96 SNPs were found to deviate significantly from Hardy–Weinberg (p < 0.05). These SNPs can be used for genetic population analysis to assist management and restoration of P. strigosa.
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19
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Schul M, Mason A, Ushijima B, Sneed JM. Microbiome and Metabolome Contributions to Coral Health and Disease. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2022; 243:76-83. [PMID: 36108037 DOI: 10.1086/720971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCoral populations are declining worldwide as a result of increased environmental stressors, including disease. Coral health is greatly dependent on complex interactions between the host animal and its associated microbial symbionts. While relatively understudied, there is growing evidence that the coral microbiome contributes to the health and resilience of corals in a variety of ways, similar to more well-studied systems, such as the human microbiome. Many of these interactions are dependent upon the production and exchange of natural products, including antibacterial compounds, quorum-sensing molecules, internal signaling molecules, nutrients, and so on. While advances in sequencing, culturing, and metabolomic techniques have aided in moving forward the understanding of coral microbiome interactions, current sequence and metabolite databases are lacking, hindering detailed descriptions of the microbes and metabolites involved. This review focuses on the roles of coral microbiomes in health and disease processes of coral hosts, with special attention to the coral metabolome. We discuss what is currently known about the relationship between the coral microbiome and disease, of beneficial microbial products or services, and how the manipulation of the coral microbiome may chemically benefit the coral host against disease. Understanding coral microbiome-metabolome interactions is critical to assisting management, conservation, and restoration strategies.
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20
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Peixoto RS, Voolstra CR, Sweet M, Duarte CM, Carvalho S, Villela H, Lunshof JE, Gram L, Woodhams DC, Walter J, Roik A, Hentschel U, Thurber RV, Daisley B, Ushijima B, Daffonchio D, Costa R, Keller-Costa T, Bowman JS, Rosado AS, Reid G, Mason CE, Walke JB, Thomas T, Berg G. Harnessing the microbiome to prevent global biodiversity loss. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1726-1735. [PMID: 35864220 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01173-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Global biodiversity loss and mass extinction of species are two of the most critical environmental issues the world is currently facing, resulting in the disruption of various ecosystems central to environmental functions and human health. Microbiome-targeted interventions, such as probiotics and microbiome transplants, are emerging as potential options to reverse deterioration of biodiversity and increase the resilience of wildlife and ecosystems. However, the implementation of these interventions is urgently needed. We summarize the current concepts, bottlenecks and ethical aspects encompassing the careful and responsible management of ecosystem resources using the microbiome (termed microbiome stewardship) to rehabilitate organisms and ecosystem functions. We propose a real-world application framework to guide environmental and wildlife probiotic applications. This framework details steps that must be taken in the upscaling process while weighing risks against the high toll of inaction. In doing so, we draw parallels with other aspects of contemporary science moving swiftly in the face of urgent global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel S Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Christian R Voolstra
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Susana Carvalho
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helena Villela
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jeantine E Lunshof
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lone Gram
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Douglas C Woodhams
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Jens Walter
- APC Microbiome Ireland, School of Microbiology, and Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Anna Roik
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Brendan Daisley
- Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blake Ushijima
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - Daniele Daffonchio
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rodrigo Costa
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tina Keller-Costa
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jeff S Bowman
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alexandre S Rosado
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gregor Reid
- Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jenifer B Walke
- Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, USA
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.,University of Postdam and Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam, Germany
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21
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Alvarez-Filip L, González-Barrios FJ, Pérez-Cervantes E, Molina-Hernández A, Estrada-Saldívar N. Stony coral tissue loss disease decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality. Commun Biol 2022; 5:440. [PMID: 35681037 PMCID: PMC9184636 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03398-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases are major drivers of the deterioration of coral reefs and are linked to major declines in coral abundance, reef functionality, and reef-related ecosystems services. 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 in only a few months. Rapid spread was generalized across all sites and mortality rates ranged from 94% to <10% among the 21 afflicted coral species. Most species of the family Meandrinadae (maze corals) and subfamily Faviinae (brain corals) sustained losses >50%. 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, an apparently unaffected genus that underwent severe population declines decades ago and retained low population levels, will once again become conspicuous structural features in reef systems with yet even lower levels of physical functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México.
| | - F Javier González-Barrios
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Ana Molina-Hernández
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Nuria Estrada-Saldívar
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
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22
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A Review of Disturbances to the Ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean, Their Causes and Consequences. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10050644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In a relatively short timescale (less than 50 years), urbanization has caused many anthropogenic disturbances that have affected ecosystem health and, directly or indirectly, quality of life for the local human population. Global disturbances, such as climate change, can also have a substantial, overarching impact on ecosystems. In this scenario, natural disturbances, previously considered an integral part of ecosystem dynamics, can now cause irreversible change to the state of ecosystems, and at the same time, negatively impact social and economic systems. The objective of this study was to identify ecosystem disturbances at a site of interest to recommend strategies to improve coastal zone management. We chose the Mexican Caribbean as a case study, because its biological and cultural complexity render it an interesting location from a coastal management point of view. The PRISMA framework was used to conduct a systematic literature review to identify the ecosystem disturbances that affect this area, as well as the main causes and consequences of these disturbances. Additionally, we discuss how disturbances and their impacts, as screened through PRISMA, can be incorporated into a coastal zone management framework. Results need to consider the limitations associated with using this technique e.g., the degree of impact from a current disturbance may vary from that reported in an earlier publication. Despite its limitations, we believe that this methodology proves useful for identifying key ecosystem disturbances and their consequences, providing a useful tool for identifying appropriate actions to inform coastal zone management plans.
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23
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Feeding Behavior of Coralliophila sp. on Corals Affected by Caribbean Ciliate Infection (CCI): A New Possible Vector? DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14050363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs in the Caribbean are known to be affected by many coral diseases, yet the ecology and etiology of most diseases remain understudied. The Caribbean ciliate infection (CCI) caused by ciliates belonging to the genus Halofolliculina is a common disease on Caribbean reefs, with direct contact considered the most likely way through which the ciliates can be transmitted between infected and healthy colonies. Here we report an observation regarding a Coralliophila sp. snail feeding in proximity to a cluster of ciliates forming the typical disease band of CCI. The result of this observation is twofold. The feeding behavior of the snail may allow the passive attachment of ciliates on the body or shell of the snail resulting in indirect transport of the ciliates among colonies, which makes it eligible as a possible disease vector. Alternatively, the lesions created from snail feeding may enhance the progression of the ciliates already present on the coral as well as promoting additional infections allowing pathogens to enter through the feeding scar.
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24
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Medina-Valmaseda AE, Blanchon P, Alvarez-Filip L, Pérez-Cervantes E. Geomorphically controlled coral distribution in degraded shallow reefs of the Western Caribbean. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12590. [PMID: 35310164 PMCID: PMC8929170 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of coral reefs results from the interaction between ecological and geological processes in space and time. Their difference in scale, however, makes it difficult to detect the impact of ecological changes on geological reef development. The decline of coral cover over the last 50 years, for example, has dramatically impaired the function of ecological processes on reefs. Yet given the limited-resolution of their Holocene record, it is uncertain how this will impact accretion and structural integrity over longer timescales. In addition, reports of this ecological decline have focused on intrinsic parameters such as coral cover and colony size at the expense of extrinsic ones such as geomorphic and environmental variables. Despite these problems, several attempts have been made to predict the long-term accretion status of reefs based entirely on the contemporary health status of benthic communities. Here we explore how this ecological decline is represented within the reef geomorphic structure, which represents the long-term expression of reef development. Using a detailed geomorphic zonation scheme, we analyze the distribution and biodiversity of reef-building corals in fringing-reef systems of the Mesoamerican Reef tract. We find a depth-related pattern in community structure which shows that the relative species distribution between geomorphic zones is statistically different. Despite these differences, contemporary coral assemblages in all zones are dominated by the same group of pioneer generalist species. These findings imply that first, coral species distribution is still controlled by extrinsic processes that generate the geomorphic zonation; second, that coral biodiversity still reflects species zonation patterns reported by early studies; and third that dominance of pioneer species implies that modern coral assemblages are in a prolonged post-disturbance adjustment stage. In conclusion, any accurate assessment of the future viability of reefs requires a consideration of the geomorphic context or risks miscalculating the impact of ecological changes on long-term reef development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Enrique Medina-Valmaseda
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico,Reef Geoscience Group, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Instituto de Ciencias de Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Paul Blanchon
- Reef Geoscience Group, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Instituto de Ciencias de Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Instituto de Ciencias de Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Instituto de Ciencias de Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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25
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Soper DM, Villafranca N, Dieffenthaller JP, Dieffenthaller M, Tompkins H, Weglarz M, Vaughan D, Hamlyn SB, Stenesen D. Growth and Cyclin-E Expression in the Stony Coral Species Orbicella faveolata Post-Microfragmentation. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2022; 242:40-47. [PMID: 35245162 DOI: 10.1086/717926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCoral growth is critical to reef health, resilience under rapidly changing environmental conditions, and restoration efforts. Although fragmenting coral has been occurring for many years in an effort to restore reefs, recently it was discovered that microfragmenting, the process of cutting one piece of coral into many small pieces (about three to five polyps), induces exponential growth. Our study investigates the process by which microfragments of nine different genotypes from the stony coral species Orbicella faveolata grow and exhibit Cyclin-E expression. Microfragments were examined by using a high-powered dissecting microscope with a camera to document the precise areas of tissue exhibiting exponential growth. We found that new polyp formation occurs only on the microfragment edges and that edge polyp growth rates varied between different genotypes. We then extracted tissue from both the edge and the center of five genotypes for genetic analysis. We chose to analyze Cyclin-E expression because it is involved with stimulating mitotic division and is a conserved signaling pathway that is known to exist in Drosophila, mammals, and Cnidaria. Two primers for Cyclin-E were utilized to examine the level of expression for center and edge tissue. We found that Cyclin-E is expressed differentially between O. faveolata polyps, with a tendency for increased expression of the Cyclin-E in edge versus center tissue in each of five genotypes, although this result was not significant. Despite consistently higher levels of Cyclin-E expression within an organism's edge tissue, genotypes varied significantly in the degree of increased expression. This variation positively correlated with growth rate, suggesting the potential for molecular selection in aid of more rapid reef restoration. Future work will focus on deciphering the specific growth pathways involved in microfragmented coral growth and analyzing expression patterns in injured tissues.
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26
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Alves C, Valdivia A, Aronson RB, Bood N, Castillo KD, Cox C, Fieseler C, Locklear Z, McField M, Mudge L, Umbanhowar J, Bruno JF. Twenty years of change in benthic communities across the Belizean Barrier Reef. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0249155. [PMID: 35041688 PMCID: PMC8765652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease, storms, ocean warming, and pollution have caused the mass mortality of reef-building corals across the Caribbean over the last four decades. Subsequently, stony corals have been replaced by macroalgae, bacterial mats, and invertebrates including soft corals and sponges, causing changes to the functioning of Caribbean reef ecosystems. Here we describe changes in the absolute cover of benthic reef taxa, including corals, gorgonians, sponges, and algae, at 15 fore-reef sites (12–15m depth) across the Belizean Barrier Reef (BBR) from 1997 to 2016. We also tested whether Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in which fishing was prohibited but likely still occurred, mitigated these changes. Additionally, we determined whether ocean-temperature anomalies (measured via satellite) or local human impacts (estimated using the Human Influence Index, HII) were related to changes in benthic community structure. We observed a reduction in the cover of reef-building corals, including the long-lived, massive corals Orbicella spp. (from 13 to 2%), and an increase in fleshy and corticated macroalgae across most sites. These and other changes to the benthic communities were unaffected by local protection. The covers of hard-coral taxa, including Acropora spp., Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella spp., and Porites spp., were negatively related to the frequency of ocean-temperature anomalies. Only gorgonian cover was related, negatively, to our metric of the magnitude of local impacts (HII). Our results suggest that benthic communities along the BBR have experienced disturbances that are beyond the capacity of the current management structure to mitigate. We recommend that managers devote greater resources and capacity to enforcing and expanding existing marine protected areas and to mitigating local stressors, and most importantly, that government, industry, and the public act immediately to reduce global carbon emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Alves
- Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- ECS Federal, Inc., in support of Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Social Science Branch, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Narragansett, RI, United States of America
| | | | - Richard B. Aronson
- Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nadia Bood
- World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica, Belize Field Programme Office, Belize City, Belize, Central America
| | - Karl D. Castillo
- Department of Marine Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Courtney Cox
- Rare, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Clare Fieseler
- Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Zachary Locklear
- Green Bay Wildlife Conservation Office, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, New Franken, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Melanie McField
- Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, Smithsonian Institution, Fort Pierce, FL, United States of America
| | - Laura Mudge
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Integral Consulting Inc., Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James Umbanhowar
- Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - John F. Bruno
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Stress Resistance and Adaptation of the Aquatic Invasive Species Tubastraea Coccinea (Lesson, 1829) to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13243645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A great number of studies published on long-term ocean warming and increased acidification have forecasted changes in regional biodiversity preempted by aquatic invasive species (AIS). The present paper is focused on invasive Tubastraea coccinea (TC), an azooxanthellate AIS coral thriving in regions of the Gulf of Mexico, which has shown an ability to invade altered habitats, including endemic Indo-Pacific T. coccinea (TCP) populations. To determine if invasive TC are more stress resistant than endemic Indo-Pacific T. coccinea (TCP), authors measured tissue loss and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression, using a full factorial design, post exposure to changes in pH (7.5 and 8.1) and heat stress (31 °C and 34 °C). Overall, the mean time required for TCP to reach 50% tissue loss (LD50) was less than observed for TC by a factor of 0.45 (p < 0.0003). Increasing temperature was found to be a significant main effect (p = 0.004), decreasing the LD50 by a factor of 0.58. Increasing acidity to pH 7.5 from 8.1 did not change the sensitivity of TC to temperature; however, TCP displayed increased sensitivity at 31 °C. Increases in the relative density of HSP70 (TC) were seen at all treatment levels. Hence, TC appears more robust compared to TCP and may emerge as a new dominant coral displacing endemic populations as a consequence of climate change.
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28
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A doubling of stony coral cover on shallow forereefs at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize from 2014 to 2019. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19185. [PMID: 34584122 PMCID: PMC8478911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand the decline of one of earth’s most biodiverse habitats, coral reefs, many survey programs employ regular photographs of the benthos. An emerging challenge is the time required to annotate the large volume of digital imagery generated by these surveys. Here, we leverage existing machine-learning tools (CoralNet) and develop new fit-to-purpose programs to process and score benthic photoquadrats using five years of data from the Smithsonian MarineGEO Network’s biodiversity monitoring program at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. Our analysis shows that scleractinian coral cover on forereef sites (at depths of 3–10 m) along our surveyed transects increased significantly from 6 to 13% during this period. More modest changes in macroalgae, turf algae, and sponge cover were also observed. Community-wide analysis confirmed a significant shift in benthic structure, and follow-up in situ surveys of coral demographics in 2019 revealed that the emerging coral communities are dominated by fast-recruiting and growing coral species belonging to the genera Agaricia and Porites. While the positive trajectory reported here is promising, Belizean reefs face persistent challenges related to overfishing and climate change. Open-source computational toolkits offer promise for increasing the efficiency of reef monitoring, and therefore our ability to assess the future of coral reefs in the face of rapid environmental change.
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29
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Lamers M, Student J. Learning from COVID-19? An environmental mobilities and flows perspective on dynamic vulnerabilities in coastal tourism settings. MARITIME STUDIES : MAST 2021; 20:475-486. [PMID: 35299650 PMCID: PMC8438653 DOI: 10.1007/s40152-021-00242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Machiel Lamers
- Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jillian Student
- Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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30
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Aeby GS, Shore A, Jensen T, Ziegler M, Work T, Voolstra CR. A comparative baseline of coral disease in three regions along the Saudi Arabian coast of the central Red Sea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246854. [PMID: 34242223 PMCID: PMC8270217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral disease is a growing problem for coral reefs globally and diseases have been linked to thermal stress, excess nutrients, overfishing and other human impacts. The Red Sea is a unique environment for corals with a strong environmental gradient characterized by temperature extremes and high salinities, but minimal terrestrial runoff or riverine input and their associated pollution. Yet, relatively little is known about coral diseases in this region. Disease surveys were conducted at 22 reefs within three regions (Yanbu, Thuwal, Al Lith) in the central Red Sea along the Saudi Arabian coast. Surveys occurred in October 2015, which coincided with a hyperthermal-induced bleaching event. Our objectives were to 1) document types, prevalence, and distribution of coral diseases in a region with minimal terrestrial input, 2) compare regional differences in diseases and bleaching along a latitudinal gradient of environmental conditions, and 3) use histopathology to characterize disease lesions at the cellular level. Coral reefs of the central Red Sea had a widespread but a surprisingly low prevalence of disease (<0.5%), based on the examination of >75,750 colonies. Twenty diseases were recorded affecting 16 coral taxa and included black band disease, white syndromes, endolithic hypermycosis, skeletal eroding band, growth anomalies and focal bleached patches. The three most common diseases were Acropora white syndrome (59.1% of the survey sites), Porites growth anomalies (40.9%), and Porites white syndrome (31.8%). Sixteen out of 30 coral genera within transects had lesions and Acropora, Millepora and Lobophyllia were the most commonly affected. Cell-associated microbial aggregates were found in four coral genera including a first report in Stylophora. Differences in disease prevalence, coral cover, amount of heat stress as measured by degree heating weeks (DHW) and extent of bleaching was evident among sites. Disease prevalence was not explained by coral cover or DHW, and a negative relationship between coral bleaching and disease prevalence was found. The northern-most sites off the coast of Yanbu had the highest average disease prevalence and highest average DHW values but no bleaching. Our study provides a foundation and baseline data for coral disease prevalence in the central Red Sea, which is projected to increase as a consequence of increased frequency and severity of ocean warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Smith Aeby
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amanda Shore
- Department of Biology, Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY, United States of America
| | - Thor Jensen
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, SaudiArabia
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, SaudiArabia
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thierry Work
- US Geological Survey, Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Christian R. Voolstra
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, SaudiArabia
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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31
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Combs IR, Studivan MS, Eckert RJ, Voss JD. Quantifying impacts of stony coral tissue loss disease on corals in Southeast Florida through surveys and 3D photogrammetry. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252593. [PMID: 34170916 PMCID: PMC8232449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2014, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has contributed to substantial declines of reef-building corals in Florida. The emergence of this disease, which impacts over 20 scleractinian coral species, has generated a need for widespread reef monitoring and the implementation of novel survey and disease mitigation strategies. This study paired SCTLD prevalence assessments with colony-level monitoring to help improve understanding of disease dynamics on both individual coral colonies and at reef-wide scales. Benthic surveys were conducted throughout the northern Florida Reef Tract to monitor the presence/absence of disease, disease prevalence, and coral species affected by SCTLD. Observed SCTLD prevalence was lower in Jupiter and Palm Beach than in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or St. Lucie Reef, but there were no significant changes in prevalence over time. To assess colony-level impacts of the disease, we optimized a low-cost, rapid 3D photogrammetry technique to fate-track infected Montastraea cavernosa coral colonies over four time points spanning nearly four months. Total colony area and healthy tissue area on fate-tracked colonies decreased significantly over time. However disease lesion area did not decrease over time and was not correlated with total colony area. Taken together these results suggest that targeted intervention efforts on larger colonies may maximize preservation of coral cover. Traditional coral surveys combined with 3D photogrammetry can provide greater insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics and impacts of coral diseases on individual colonies and coral communities than surveys or visual estimates of disease progression alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R. Combs
- Department of Biological Sciences, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Studivan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ryan J. Eckert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joshua D. Voss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States of America
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32
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Lapointe BE, Brewton RA, Herren LW, Wang M, Hu C, McGillicuddy DJ, Lindell S, Hernandez FJ, Morton PL. Nutrient content and stoichiometry of pelagic Sargassum reflects increasing nitrogen availability in the Atlantic Basin. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3060. [PMID: 34031385 PMCID: PMC8144625 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum spp. have grown for centuries in oligotrophic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean supported by natural nutrient sources, such as excretions from associated fishes and invertebrates, upwelling, and N2 fixation. Using a unique historical baseline, we show that since the 1980s the tissue %N of Sargassum spp. has increased by 35%, while %P has decreased by 44%, resulting in a 111% increase in the N:P ratio (13:1 to 28:1) and increased P limitation. The highest %N and δ15N values occurred in coastal waters influenced by N-rich terrestrial runoff, while lower C:N and C:P ratios occurred in winter and spring during peak river discharges. These findings suggest that increased N availability is supporting blooms of Sargassum and turning a critical nursery habitat into harmful algal blooms with catastrophic impacts on coastal ecosystems, economies, and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Lapointe
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
| | - R A Brewton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - L W Herren
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - M Wang
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - C Hu
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | | | - S Lindell
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - F J Hernandez
- Division of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS, USA
| | - P L Morton
- Florida State University/National High Magnetic Field Lab, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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33
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Shilling EN, Combs IR, Voss JD. Assessing the effectiveness of two intervention methods for stony coral tissue loss disease on Montastraea cavernosa. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8566. [PMID: 33883581 PMCID: PMC8060409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in Florida in 2014 and has since spread to multiple coral reefs across the wider Caribbean. The northern section of Florida's Coral Reef has been heavily impacted by this outbreak, with some reefs experiencing as much as a 60% loss of living coral tissue area. We experimentally assessed the effectiveness of two intervention treatments on SCTLD-affected Montastraea cavernosa colonies in situ. Colonies were tagged and divided into three treatment groups: (1) chlorinated epoxy, (2) amoxicillin combined with CoreRx/Ocean Alchemists Base 2B, and (3) untreated controls. The experimental colonies were monitored periodically over 11 months to assess treatment effectiveness by tracking lesion development and overall disease status. The Base 2B plus amoxicillin treatment had a 95% success rate at healing individual disease lesions but did not necessarily prevent treated colonies from developing new lesions over time. Chlorinated epoxy treatments were not significantly different from untreated control colonies, suggesting that chlorinated epoxy treatments are an ineffective intervention technique for SCTLD. The results of this experiment expand management options during coral disease outbreaks and contribute to overall knowledge regarding coral health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N Shilling
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
| | - Ian R Combs
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
- Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Mote Marine Laboratory, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | - Joshua D Voss
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
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34
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Li S, Roger LM, Kumar L, Lewinski NA, Klein-Seetharaman J, Gagnon A, Putnam HM, Yang J. Digital image processing to detect subtle motion in stony coral. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7722. [PMID: 33833260 PMCID: PMC8032694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85800-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems support significant biological activities and harbor huge diversity, but they are facing a severe crisis driven by anthropogenic activities and climate change. An important behavioral trait of the coral holobiont is coral motion, which may play an essential role in feeding, competition, reproduction, and thus survival and fitness. Therefore, characterizing coral behavior through motion analysis will aid our understanding of basic biological and physical coral functions. However, tissue motion in the stony scleractinian corals that contribute most to coral reef construction are subtle and may be imperceptible to both the human eye and commonly used imaging techniques. Here we propose and apply a systematic approach to quantify and visualize subtle coral motion across a series of light and dark cycles in the scleractinian coral Montipora capricornis. We use digital image correlation and optical flow techniques to quantify and characterize minute coral motions under different light conditions. In addition, as a visualization tool, motion magnification algorithm magnifies coral motions in different frequencies, which explicitly displays the distinctive dynamic modes of coral movement. Specifically, our assessment of displacement, strain, optical flow, and mode shape quantify coral motion under different light conditions, and they all show that M. capricornis exhibits more active motions at night compared to day. Our approach provides an unprecedented insight into micro-scale coral movement and behavior through macro-scale digital imaging, thus offering a useful empirical toolset for the coral research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaifeng Li
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2400 USA
| | - Liza M. Roger
- grid.224260.00000 0004 0458 8737Department of Chemical and Life Science and Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA USA
| | - Lokender Kumar
- grid.254549.b0000 0004 1936 8155Department of Physics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO USA
| | - Nastassja A. Lewinski
- grid.224260.00000 0004 0458 8737Department of Chemical and Life Science and Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA USA
| | - Judith Klein-Seetharaman
- grid.254549.b0000 0004 1936 8155Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO USA
| | - Alex Gagnon
- grid.34477.330000000122986657School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Hollie M. Putnam
- grid.20431.340000 0004 0416 2242Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 USA
| | - Jinkyu Yang
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2400 USA
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Cortés-Useche C, Hernández-Delgado EA, Calle-Triviño J, Sellares Blasco R, Galván V, Arias-González JE. Conservation actions and ecological context: optimizing coral reef local management in the Dominican Republic. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10925. [PMID: 33854832 PMCID: PMC7953877 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, coral reef ecosystems have been lost at accelerated rates as a result of global climate change and local stressors. Local management schemes can help improve the condition of coral reefs by enhancing their ecosystem recovery capacity. Caribbean conservation efforts include mitigation of local anthropogenic stressors, and integrating social participation. Here, we analyzed the case of the Bayahibe reefs in the Southeastern (SE) Dominican Republic to identify conservation actions and illustrate a conceptual example of local seascape management. We assessed reef health indicators from 2011 to 2016. Overall, our results show increases in total fish biomass, in both commercial and herbivorous fishes. Mean live coral cover was 31% and fleshy macroalgae was 23% after multiple disturbances such as Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac (2012), Mathew (2016) and heat stress presented in the study area in 2015. We also described actions taken by stakeholders and government institutions, including the implementation of a policy declaring an area of 869,000 ha as a marine protected area (MPA), enhanced water quality treatment, local restrictions to vessel traffic, enforcement of fishing regulations, and the removal of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.). In addition, a restoration program for the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was established in 2011, and currently has eight coral nurseries and six outplanting sites. Considering the biology and ecology of these reefs, we observed good results for these indicators (live coral cover, fish biomass, and water quality) in contrast with severely degraded Caribbean reefs, suggesting that optimizing local management may be a useful example for improving reef condition. Our results provide an overview of trends in reef condition in the SE Dominican Republic and could support current strategies to better protect reefs in the region. Given that Caribbean coral reefs face extreme challenges from global climate change, management measures may improve reef conditions across the region but stronger policy processes and increased scientific knowledge are needed for the successful management of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Cortés-Useche
- Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N, Mérida, Yucatán, México.,Wave Of Change, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Playa Paraíso, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Edwin A Hernández-Delgado
- Deparment of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and Conservation, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Sociedad Ambiente Marino, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Johanna Calle-Triviño
- Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N, Mérida, Yucatán, México.,Wave Of Change, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Playa Paraíso, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Rita Sellares Blasco
- Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos, Bayahibe, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic
| | - Victor Galván
- Wave Of Change, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Playa Paraíso, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Jesús E Arias-González
- Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N, Mérida, Yucatán, México
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The Conservational State of Coastal Ecosystems on the Mexican Caribbean Coast: Environmental Guidelines for Their Management. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13052738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The accelerated rate of environmental degradation of the Mexican Caribbean coast is alarming. In this work, spatial analysis procedures were applied to study relationships among wave and wind climates, water quality, and environmental degradation of the principal coastal ecosystems. We found an increasing North-South gradient in the preservation state of the coastal ecosystems, related to the degree of anthropization of the coastline. In the north, all analysed stressors exert high pressure on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and dunes, and cause chronic coastline erosion. The coastal ecosystems of the central and southern regions are more mature and healthier, and the most significant stressor is reduced water quality. The north has been most hit by high-intensity hurricanes, the frequency of which has increased in the Mexican Caribbean over recent decades. The status of conservation of the ecosystems, added to the long-term intensification of environmental pressures, particularly high-intensity hurricanes, will induce further deterioration if a coordinated management scheme is not adopted by decision-makers. To ensure effective coordinated management, plans should be made on a regional scale using shared guidelines. Spatial analysis procedures aid in prioritizing and adapting the shared guidelines depending on the identified major stressors and the preservation state of each region in the Mexican Caribbean.
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Thome PE, Rivera-Ortega J, Rodríguez-Villalobos JC, Cerqueda-García D, Guzmán-Urieta EO, García-Maldonado JQ, Carabantes N, Jordán-Dahlgren E. Local dynamics of a white syndrome outbreak and changes in the microbial community associated with colonies of the scleractinian brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10695. [PMID: 33604172 PMCID: PMC7863780 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef corals in the Mexican Reef System have been severely affected by the emergence of a white syndrome that resembles both White Plague II and SCTLD descriptions. Meandroid scleractinian coral species are among the most severely affected. To gain insight into this affliction we conducted a broad study in the brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa at a rear reef site in the NE Mexican Caribbean. We describe macro and microscopical signals of the disease, characterize the outbreak dynamics, the tissue histopathology, explore immunological responses in the individuals, and compare microbial assemblages associated with the surface mucus layer of healthy and unhealthy colonies. At the study site, the white syndrome outbreak on P. strigosa showed a high incidence rate in summer-fall and a low one in winter, as well as low survival expectation of diseased colonies at the end of the study. After 306 days of observation, out of 96 tracked colonies, eight remained apparently healthy and seven were diseased. No effective resistance to colony disease progression was observed once white syndrome signs developed. Tissue loss rate during the study varied among colonies (mean = 10.8 cm2, s.d. = 7.8 cm2) suggesting a complex relation between causal agents and colony resistance. The deterioration of tissues was evidenced from the basal to the surface body wall of polyps (up to 66% hypertrophy and liquefactive necrosis in unhealthy colonies), implying that microscopic alterations begin before macroscopic signals develop, suggesting this may be a systemic disease. We measured high levels of phenoloxidase (two orders of magnitude higher PO activity than P. strigosa affected by BBD) and antibacterial activity without significant reduction in unhealthy samples from the mucus layer, indicative of an enhanced immunological response. Results showed that opportunistic bacteria dominated damaged colonies, where six genera of the Bacteroidia class were found with significant changes in unhealthy colonies after DeSeq2 analysis. Nevertheless, histological observations did not support infection of the tissues. The opportunistic overload seems to be contained within the mucus layer but may be associated with the mortality of tissues in a yet unclear way. Future research should focus on experimental infections, the tracking of natural infections, and the immunocompetence of corals in the face of environmental pressures due to local, regional, and global impacts. If environmental deterioration is the primary cause of the continuing emergence and re-emergence of lethal coral diseases, as has been proposed by many authors, the only true option to effectively help preserve the coral reef biodiversity and services, is to restore the environmental quality of reef waters at the local scale and reduce greenhouse gases at the global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E Thome
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jacqueline Rivera-Ortega
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jenny C Rodríguez-Villalobos
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.,Ecosistemas y Conservación, ProAzul Terrestre A.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Daniel Cerqueda-García
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Edgar O Guzmán-Urieta
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - José Q García-Maldonado
- CONACyT, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Natalia Carabantes
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Eric Jordán-Dahlgren
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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38
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Good AM, Bahr KD. The coral conservation crisis: interacting local and global stressors reduce reef resiliency and create challenges for conservation solutions. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04319-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractCoral reefs are one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Humans rely on these coral reef ecosystems to provide significant ecological and economic resources; however, coral reefs are threatened by numerous local and global anthropogenic factors that cause significant environmental change. The interactions of these local and global human impacts may increase the rate of coral reef degradation. For example, there are many local influences (i.e., sedimentation and submarine groundwater discharge) that may exacerbate coral bleaching and mortality. Therefore, researchers and resource managers cannot limit their narratives and actions to mitigating a sole stressor. With the continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions, management strategies and restoration techniques need to account for the scale at which environmental change occurs. This review aims to outline the various local and global anthropogenic stressors threatening reef resiliency and address the recent disagreements surrounding present-day conservation practices. Unfortunately, there is no one solution to preserve and restore all coral reefs. Each coral reef region is challenged by numerous interactive stressors that affect its ecosystem response, recovery, and services in various ways. This review discusses, while global reef degradation occurs, local solutions should be implemented to efficiently protect the coral reef ecosystem services that are valuable to marine and terrestrial environments.
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González-Barrios FJ, Cabral-Tena RA, Alvarez-Filip L. Recovery disparity between coral cover and the physical functionality of reefs with impaired coral assemblages. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:640-651. [PMID: 33131196 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ecology and structure of many tropical coral reefs have been markedly altered over the past few decades. Although long-term recovery has been observed in terms of coral cover, it is not clear how novel species configurations shape reef functionality in impaired reefs. The identities and life-history strategies of the corals species that recover are essential for understanding reef functional dynamics. We used a species identity approach to quantify the physical functionality outcomes over a 13 year period across 56 sites in the Mexican Caribbean. This region was affected by multiple stressors that converged and drastically damaged reefs in the early 2000s. Since then, the reefs have shown evidence of a modest recovery of coral cover. We used Bayesian linear models and annual rates of change to estimate temporal changes in physical functionality and coral cover. Moreover, a functional diversity framework was used to explore changes in coral composition and the traits of those assemblages. Between 2005 and 2018, physical functionality increased at a markedly lower rate compared to that of coral cover. The disparity between recovery rates depended on the identity of the species that increased (mainly non-framework and foliose-digitate corals). No changes in species dominance or functional trait composition were observed, whereas non-framework building corals consistently dominated most reefs. Although the observed recovery of coral cover and functional potential may provide some ecological benefits, the long-term effects on reef frameworks remain unclear, as changes in the cover of key reef-building species were not observed. Our findings are likely to be representative of many reefs across the wider Caribbean basin, as declines in coral cover and rapid increases in the relative abundance of weedy corals have been reported regionally. A coral identity approach to assess species turnover is needed to understand and quantify changes in the functionality of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier González-Barrios
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, México
- Department of Marine Ecology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, México
| | - Rafael A Cabral-Tena
- Department of Marine Ecology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, México
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, México
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Abstract
The coastal zone is in a critical state worldwide, due to the loss and fragmentation of its ecosystems. Much of this is caused by long-term anthropic local, regional, or global actions, which drive coastal squeeze processes. Most of the criteria to evaluate the effects of coastal squeeze are focused on merely identifying its effect on the coastal zone. Here, we propose a framework to manage (identify, analyze, quantify, and tackle) the effect of coastal squeeze. This DESCR framework examines the relations between Drivers, Exchanges, and States of the environment to subsequently evaluate the chronic, negative Consequences and determine possible Responses. To illustrate the application of the DESCR framework, the coastal zone of Puerto Morelos, in the Mexican Caribbean, was studied using this approach. We analyzed the systemic interactions among the coastal ecosystems in this area, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, beach, coastal dunes, and mangroves, which have been altered over the last decades, resulting in a severe coastal squeeze. Recommended responses include urgent measures for ecosystem management to mitigate the coastal squeeze.
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Sharp WC, Shea CP, Maxwell KE, Muller EM, Hunt JH. Evaluating the small-scale epidemiology of the stony-coral -tissue-loss-disease in the middle Florida Keys. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241871. [PMID: 33175886 PMCID: PMC7657511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
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 the disease, facilitated by water currents, has progressed linearly along the tract, affecting reefs at the scale of hundreds of kilometers. To inform ongoing disease mitigation efforts, we examined the small-scale spatial and temporal epidemiology of SCTLD. We established a series of sites in the middle Florida Keys at offshore and inshore locations that had not yet shown signs of SCTLD. We then conducted high-frequency monitoring from February 2018 through September 2019 and documented the onset of SCTLD and its progression through the sites. SCTLD was first observed at one site during early February 2018 and by early March 2018 all sites showed signs of the disease. A dynamic multistate model suggested that disease transmission was independent of coral density and found little evidence of a positive association between a colony showing signs of SCTLD and the condition or distance to its neighboring colonies. The model did, however, indicate that the probability of a colony showing signs of SCTLD increased with increasing colony surface area. These results are consistent with the water-borne transmission of a pathogen that progressed rapidly through the survey area. However, by the end of our survey the progression of SCTLD had slowed, particularly at inshore sites. Many affected colonies no longer exhibited progressive tissue mortality typical of the disease, suggesting the existence of differentially resilient colonies or coral communities, meriting their use for future coral rescue and propagation and disease research. These results are useful for refining ongoing SCTLD mitigation strategies, particularly by determining when disease rates are sufficiently low for direct intervention efforts designed to arrest disease progression on individual coral colonies will be most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Sharp
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marathon, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Colin P. Shea
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kerry E. Maxwell
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marathon, Florida, United States of America
| | - Erinn M. Muller
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - John H. Hunt
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marathon, Florida, United States of America
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Ushijima B, Meyer JL, Thompson S, Pitts K, Marusich MF, Tittl J, Weatherup E, Reu J, Wetzell R, Aeby GS, Häse CC, Paul VJ. Disease Diagnostics and Potential Coinfections by Vibrio coralliilyticus During an Ongoing Coral Disease Outbreak in Florida. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:569354. [PMID: 33193161 PMCID: PMC7649382 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.569354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A deadly coral disease outbreak has been devastating the Florida Reef Tract since 2014. This disease, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), affects at least 22 coral species causing the progressive destruction of tissue. The etiological agents responsible for SCTLD are unidentified, but pathogenic bacteria are suspected. Virulence screens of 400 isolates identified four potentially pathogenic strains of Vibrio spp. subsequently identified as V. coralliilyticus. Strains of this species are known coral pathogens; however, cultures were unable to consistently elicit tissue loss, suggesting an opportunistic role. Using an improved immunoassay, the VcpA RapidTest, a toxic zinc-metalloprotease produced by V. coralliilyticus was detected on 22.3% of diseased Montastraea cavernosa (n = 67) and 23.5% of diseased Orbicella faveolata (n = 24). VcpA+ corals had significantly higher mortality rates and faster disease progression. For VcpA- fragments, 21.6% and 33.3% of M. cavernosa and O. faveolata, respectively, died within 21 d of observation, while 100% of similarly sized VcpA+ fragments of both species died during the same period. Further physiological and genomic analysis found no apparent differences between the Atlantic V. coralliilyticus strains cultured here and pathogens from the Indo-Pacific but highlighted the diversity among strains and their immense genetic potential. In all, V. coralliilyticus may be causing coinfections that exacerbate existing SCTLD lesions, which could contribute to the intraspecific differences observed between colonies. This study describes potential coinfections contributing to SCTLD virulence as well as diagnostic tools capable of tracking the pathogen involved, which are important contributions to the management and understanding of SCTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Ushijima
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Julie L Meyer
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | | | - Kelly Pitts
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | | | - Jessica Tittl
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | | | - Jacqueline Reu
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Raquel Wetzell
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Greta S Aeby
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Claudia C Häse
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Valerie J Paul
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
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Massive Influx of Pelagic Sargassum spp. on the Coasts of the Mexican Caribbean 2014–2020: Challenges and Opportunities. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12102908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since late 2014, the Mexican Caribbean coast has periodically received massive, atypical influxes of pelagic Sargassum spp. (sargasso). Negative impacts associated with these influxes include mortality of nearshore benthic flora and fauna, beach erosion, pollution, decreasing tourism and high management costs. To understand the dynamics of the sargasso influx, we used Landsat 8 imagery (from 2016 to mid-2020) to record the coverage of sargasso in the sea off the Mexican Caribbean coastline, with a maximum reported in September 2018. Satellite image analysis also showed local differences in the quantity of beached sargasso along the coastline. Over the years, good practice for collection on the beach and for off-shore collection of sargasso have been established through trial and error, and the Mexican Government and hotel industry have spent millions of dollars on removal and off-shore detention of sargasso. Notwithstanding, sargasso also has various properties that could be harnessed in local industries. The stimulation of local industrial growth would offer alternatives to the dependence on tourism, as a circular economy, based on sargasso, is developed.
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44
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Koval G, Rivas N, D'Alessandro M, Hesley D, Santos R, Lirman D. Fish predation hinders the success of coral restoration efforts using fragmented massive corals. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9978. [PMID: 33062430 PMCID: PMC7534677 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As coral reefs continue to decline globally, coral restoration practitioners have explored various approaches to return coral cover and diversity to decimated reefs. While branching coral species have long been the focus of restoration efforts, the recent development of the microfragmentation coral propagation technique has made it possible to incorporate massive coral species into restoration efforts. Microfragmentation (i.e., the process of cutting large donor colonies into small fragments that grow fast) has yielded promising early results. Still, best practices for outplanting fragmented corals of massive morphologies are continuing to be developed and modified to maximize survivorship. Here, we compared outplant success among four species of massive corals (Orbicella faveolata, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria clivosa, and P. strigosa) in Southeast Florida, US. Within the first week following coral deployment, predation impacts by fish on the small (<5 cm2) outplanted colonies resulted in both the complete removal of colonies and significant tissue damage, as evidenced by bite marks. In our study, 8–27% of fragments from four species were removed by fish within one week, with removal rates slowing down over time. Of the corals that remained after one week, over 9% showed signs of fish predation. Our findings showed that predation by corallivorous fish taxa like butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), and damselfishes (Pomacentridae) is a major threat to coral outplants, and that susceptibility varied significantly among coral species and outplanting method. Moreover, we identify factors that reduce predation impacts such as: (1) using cement instead of glue to attach corals, (2) elevating fragments off the substrate, and (3) limiting the amount of skeleton exposed at the time of outplanting. These strategies are essential to maximizing the efficiency of outplanting techniques and enhancing the impact of reef restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gammon Koval
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Nicolas Rivas
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Martine D'Alessandro
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dalton Hesley
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Rolando Santos
- Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Diego Lirman
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
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Puerto Morelos Coral Reefs, Their Current State and Classification by a Scoring System. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12070272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Marine protected areas have been established as essential components for managing and protecting coral reefs to mitigate natural and anthropogenic stressors. One noteworthy example within the Mexican Caribbean is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP), where several studies on the coral communities have been carried out since 2006. In June 2019, we conducted a study in eight sites of the APMNP applying a coral reef assessment method based on biological indicators of both the benthos and the fish communities. In this paper, we present the quantitative results of our study and provide a qualitative criterion assessing seven condition indexes through a scoring system. We also present a statistical comparison with a previous study carried out in 2016. The general status of coral reefs was classified as regular due to the low values of coral recruitment rate and biomass of key commercial fish species. However, living coral cover average was above 20%, with a slight dominance of framework building coral species and the presence of low values of fleshy algae cover, these being positive indicators. Our study found a higher proportion of reef promoter elements and a lower proportion of detractors, compared to a previous study carried out in 2016.
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Neely KL, Macaulay KA, Hower EK, Dobler MA. Effectiveness of topical antibiotics in treating corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9289. [PMID: 32551200 PMCID: PMC7292019 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2014, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has led to mass mortality of the majority of hard coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. Following the successful treatment of SCTLD lesions on laboratory corals using water dosed with antibiotics, two topical pastes were developed as vehicles to directly apply antibiotic treatments to wild corals. These pastes were tested as placebos and with additions of amoxicillin on active SCTLD lesions on multiple coral species. The effectiveness of the pastes without antibiotics (placebo treatments) was 4% and 9%, no different from untreated controls. Adding amoxicillin to both pastes significantly increased effectiveness to 70% and 84%. Effectiveness with this method was seen across five different coral species, with success rates of the more effective paste ranging from 67% (Colpophyllia natans) to 90% (Orbicella faveolata and Montastraea cavernosa). Topical antibiotic application is a viable and effective tool for halting disease lesions on corals affected by SCTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Neely
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Kevin A Macaulay
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Emily K Hower
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Michelle A Dobler
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
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Rosales SM, Clark AS, Huebner LK, Ruzicka RR, Muller EM. Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales Are Associated With Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease and Its Suspected Sources of Transmission. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:681. [PMID: 32425901 PMCID: PMC7212369 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2014, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) was first detected off the coast of Miami, FL, United States, and continues to persist and spread along the Florida Reef Tractr (FRT) and into the Caribbean. SCTLD can have up to a 61% prevalence in reefs and has affected at least 23 species of scleractinian corals. This has contributed to the regional near-extinction of at least one coral species, Dendrogyra cylindrus. Initial studies of SCTLD indicate microbial community shifts and cessation of lesion progression in response to antibiotics on some colonies. However, the etiology and abiotic sources of SCTLD transmission are unknown. To characterize SCTLD microbial signatures, we collected tissue samples from four affected coral species: Stephanocoenia intersepta, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Dichocoenia stokesii, and Meandrina meandrites. Tissue samples were from apparently healthy (AH) corals, and unaffected tissue (DU) and lesion tissue (DL) on diseased corals. Samples were collected in June 2018 from three zones: (1) vulnerable (ahead of the SCTLD disease boundary in the Lower Florida Keys), (2) endemic (post-outbreak in the Upper Florida Keys), and (3) epidemic (SCTLD was active and prevalent in the Middle Florida Keys). From each zone, sediment and water samples were also collected to identify whether they may serve as potential sources of transmission for SCTLD-associated microbes. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing methods to characterize the microbiomes of the coral, water, and sediment samples. We identified a relatively higher abundance of the bacteria orders Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales in DL tissue compared to AH and DU tissue. Also, our results showed relatively higher abundances of Rhodobacterales in water from the endemic and epidemic zones compared to the vulnerable zone. Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales identified at higher relative abundances in DL samples were also detected in sediment samples, but not in water samples. Our data indicate that Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales may play a role in SCTLD and that sediment may be a source of transmission for Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales associated with SCTLD lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Rosales
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Abigail S. Clark
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, United States
| | - Lindsay K. Huebner
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Rob R. Ruzicka
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
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