Recurrent disease outbreak in a warm temperate marginal coral community. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heitzman, Joshua M.; Caputo, Nicolè; Yang, Sung-Yin; Harvey, Ben P.; Agostini, Sylvain
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 182(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Porites heronensis -- Coral disease -- Warm temperate -- Marginal coral communities -- Gelidium elegans -- Thiothrix sp.; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Coral diseases contribute to the rapid degradation of coral reefs on a global scale. Although widespread in tropical and subtropical reefs, disease outbreaks have not been described in warm temperate areas. Here, we report the outbreak of a new coral disease in a warm temperate marginal coral community in Japan. Outbreaks of the disease have been observed during the summer and autumn months since 2014. It affects the coral species Porites heronensis and was tentatively named "White Mat Syndrome" (WMS) as it consists of a white microbial mat dominated by Thiothrix sp., a sulfide oxidizing bacteria. Outbreaks followed high seasonal temperatures and were associated with the macroalga Gelidium elegans, which acts as a pathogen reservoir. With ocean warming and the anticipated increase in novel coral-algae interactions as some coral species shift poleward, WMS and emerging diseases could hinder the role of temperate areas as a future coral refuge. Highlights: First report of a coral disease outbreak in a warm temperate area New disease leads to mortality in the coral Porites heronensis . Disease tentatively named "White Mat Syndrome" (WMS) due to white microbial mat. Putative pathogen is a proteobacterial consortium dominated by Thiothrix sp. WMS outbreaks associated with high temperature and coral-algae interactions.