Unusual “Knob-Like Chimney” Growth Forms on Acropora Species in the Caribbean

Rivera-Sosa, Andrea; Muñiz-Castillo, Aarón Israel; McField, Melanie; Arias‐González, Jesús Ernesto

doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00041

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 75 publications

(118 reference statements)

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“…The abundance of damselfish has been increasing in Caribbean reefs (Ceccarelli et al, 2001), possibly due to the low abundance of damselfish predators, including groupers and snappers (Robertson, 1996;Mumby et al, 2012;Vermeij et al, 2015;Rivera-Sosa et al, 2018). Consequently, when FIGURE 5 | Classification tree model to predict the coral state (coral or stressed) explained by key functional fish density (number of individuals per 100 m 2 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Algal-Gardening Damselfish on the Resilience of the Mesoamerican Reef

et al. 2019

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The structures, functions, and services provided by coral reef ecosystems are deteriorating worldwide. However, not all coral reefs are affected the same way, with some showing signs of resistance and/or recovery from disturbances. Understanding the drivers and feedbacks that contribute to shifts in community structure is valuable to support resilience-based management. In this study, key community variables that influence the resilience of coral reef ecosystems were examined in 64 sites of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) monitored in both 2006 and 2016, as part of the Healthy Reef Initiative (HRI), using the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) monitoring protocol. Based on benthic cover thresholds, sites were classified into three different states: coral state (CS) with >10% live coral and <5% fleshy macroalgae; stressed coral state (SCS) with >10% live coral and >5% fleshy macroalgae and; depauperate coral state (DCS) <10% live coral. The associations between site states and the density of different fish functional groups were analyzed to determine their effects on coral reef resilience. The results highlight that territorial herbivores (algal-gardening damselfish) may play a key role in maintaining feedbacks toward macroalgae-stressed states. This supports the recommendation of reinforcing Marine Replenishment Zones (MRZ) in order to promote healthy populations of resident predator fish (like groupers and snappers), which could potentially regulate algalgardening damselfish populations and diminish negative cascade effects on coral reefs. Collaborative and resilience-based management will continue to be promoted by the HRI partners, supporting the establishment of additional MRZs along with ongoing efforts to directly protect herbivorous fish (surgeonfish and parrotfish) and to improve water quality, through better wastewater treatment, watershed management, and coastal development plans, with the purpose of continuing to build coral reef resilience in the MAR.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Algal-Gardening Damselfish on the Resilience of the Mesoamerican Reef

et al. 2019

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Status of Cuban Coral Reefs

Pina-Amargós,

González-Díaz,

González-Sansón

et al. 2023

Coral Reefs of the World

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Nodular-like growth and axial thickening in gorgonians are a defensive response to endolithic cyanobacteria, involving amyloid deposition

2020

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An accurate approach to coral disease study is critical for understanding the global decline of coral populations. Such an approach should involve the proper use of medical concepts and terminology to avoid confusion and promote clarity in the coral disease literature. Inflammatory and neoplastic disorders have been frequently confused in corals. They are both reported as ‘growth anomalies’ because of their possible gross similarity, but in fact they are very different types of lesions and pathologic phenomena. In this work, we assessed the distribution and prevalence of growth anomalies, externally visible as nodular-like lesions, in the soft corals Eunicella cavolinii and E. singularis in 2008-2009 in 3 different areas along the Campanian coastline of Italy. Histopathology revealed them as chronic inflammatory lesions, resembling chronic inflammatory lesions of vertebrates, encapsulating an unidentified pathogen. Congo red and Masson Fontana histochemistry highlighted an amoebocyte infiltration with the presence of new apposition of melanin coupled with amyloid sheets intended as part of the defensive response, as reported in other invertebrates. A parallel molecular analysis of 16S rRNA of the lesions suggested that the causative agent is an endolithic cyanobacterium belonging to the order Nostocales. This is the first study assessing the presence of amyloid fibrils in corals.

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Unusual “Knob-Like Chimney” Growth Forms on Acropora Species in the Caribbean

Cited by 3 publications

References 75 publications

The Effect of Algal-Gardening Damselfish on the Resilience of the Mesoamerican Reef

The Effect of Algal-Gardening Damselfish on the Resilience of the Mesoamerican Reef

Status of Cuban Coral Reefs

Nodular-like growth and axial thickening in gorgonians are a defensive response to endolithic cyanobacteria, involving amyloid deposition

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