11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

7.191
A survey of Vibrios associated with healthy and Yellow Band Diseased Montastraea
faveolata
Ross CUNNING* 1 , Joel THURMOND 1 , Garriet SMITH 2 , Ernesto WEIL 3 , Kim
RITCHIE 1
1 Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, 2 University of South Carolina at Aiken,
Sarasota, FL, 3 University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Bacteria of the genus Vibrio have been implicated in coral bleaching as well as coral
diseases, including Caribbean Yellow Band Disease (YBD). Four Vibrio species have
been previously identified as causative agents of YBD through a series of infection and
reisolation experiments. The mechanisms of pathogenesis and the dynamics of the Vibrio
community, as a whole, during YBD infection are poorly understood. In order to
establish a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Vibrios in coral health
and disease, a survey of Vibrio species associated with healthy corals and YBD-infected
corals was conducted using both a culture-based approach and Vibrio-specific DGGE
analysis. Fragments were collected from YBD lesions of five colonies of Montastraea
faveolata, five healthy regions of the same diseased colonies, and from five entirely
healthy colonies. In the culture-based approach, YBD samples were serially diluted and
plated onto TCBS agar to differentially select for Vibrio species. Colonies were
subcultured using GASWA media and 364 isolates were identified by 16S rDNA
sequence analysis. Sequences were aligned using CLUSTAL X and dendograms using
neighbor-joining method were constructed for each sample. Phylogenetic analysis of
Vibrio spp. community composition among healthy and diseased coral states illustrated a
shift from V. fortis dominating in healthy corals to V. harveyi/alginolyticus dominating in
diseased corals. There was a similar shift to Photobacterium rosenbergii as corals
progressed to diseased states. Bacteria similar to 3 of 4 Vibrios implicated in YBD were
isolated for future studies.
7.192
Apoptosis in White Band Disease Of acropora Palmata And a. Cervicornis
Eric BORNEMAN* 1 , Amy SATER 1
1 Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX
There are a number of coral diseases with gross signs manifested by a loss of coral tissue
leaving an area of white skeleton where denuded coral tissue has been lost, collectively
known as white syndromes, and where the etiologies remain uncertain. White band
disease (WBD), putatively believed to only affect Caribbean acroporids, was the first
white syndrome of corals that profoundly impacted coral reefs throughout the Caribbean.
Until the early 1980s, Caribbean reefs were dominated notably by the two major
hermatypic species of Acropora. Outbreaks of WBD have been the principal cause of
mortality in these species throughout the Caribbean region in the past two decades and
have resulted in local extirpations and the loss of approximately 95% of the populations.
In 2006, the Caribbean acroporids were the first corals to receive protection under the
U.S. Endangered Species act.
Despite thirty years of research and the continued presence of WBD on existing remnant
stands and isolated colonies, only tentative causal links have been proposed and no
pathogen has been conclusively identified. Using samples spanning thirteen years and by
sampling varying populations throughout the Caribbean, WBD colonies have an
indicative molecular signature of apoptosis as the mode of coral tissue death. Colonies
may or may not have abnormal biotic components associated with them and these can
vary in space and time. The signature of apoptosis in WBD of Caribbean acroporids is in
agreement with gross signs and diagnoses of similar disease reported in Pacific
acroporids, as well as in other species. Truly healthy corals have a very low baseline level
of apoptotic cells and gross signs from field observations do not necessarily allow for
accurate assessments of coral health. Caribbean WBD appears to be a suite of diseases
with many potential causes manifested by similar gross signs of disease.
Poster Mini-Symposium 7: Diseases on Coral Reefs
7.193
Inoculation Of Vibrio Spp. Onto Montastraea Faveolata Fragments To Determine
Potential Pathogenicity
Ernesto WEIL* 1 , Kim RITCHIE 2 , Garriet SMITH 3
1 University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, 2 Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, 3 University of
South Carolina at Aiken, Aiken, SC
Vibrio strains previously isolated from yellow band diseased Montastraea faveolata in Puerto
Rico were combined into phylogenetically similar groups (P1, similar to V. campbelli; P2,
similar to V. splendidus and P3, similar to Photobacterium rosenbergii). Bacterial groups were
inoculated onto healthy Montastraea faveolata colony fragments that were aerated in individual
plastic containers exposed to two temperature regimes (28ºC and 31ºC). Ten fragments of the
same clone were divided into two groups and five fragments from each group were maintained
at either 28ºC or 31ºC. Three fragments were inoculated with bacterial groups P1, P2, or P3,
and two were used as delivery medium or water/container controls. Corals were monitored for
ten days. After Day 1, two fragments inoculated with P1 and maintained at 31ºC showed signs
of yellowing tissue similar to initial stages of yellow band disease. Three fragments inoculated
with P2 and held at 28ºC showed similar signs of paling to yellowing tissue. Two additional
fragments showed signs at Day 2 (P1 and P2 at 28ºC). At Day 5, two more P1 inoculated
fragments showed disease signs (one at 31ºC and one at 28ºC). These preliminary results
indicate that more than one type of Vibrio sp. may be able to initiate signs of disease and/or
bleaching.
7.194
Incidence and Etiology of Diseases Affecting Massive Porites in Negros Oriental,
Philippines
Satoshi YAMAZAKI 1 , JB TANANGONAN* 1
1 Dept.of Environmental Management, Kinki University (Japan), Nara, Japan
Field observations of diseases affecting massive Porites in coral reefs near the southern coast of
Negros Oriental, Philippines were conducted in February 2006 and in September 2007. Corals
found to have disease symptoms were marked with floats to identify for latter observation. A
total of 103 Porites colonies were observed and 82% were found to have Porites ulcerative
white spot (PUWS), 15% have tumors, 2% have white syndrome, and 1% showed
“pigmentation response” (“pink line disease”). More than 50% of the colonies were found to
have PUWS in an early stage that were not serious enough to cause mortality of the coral
colony. Corals found to have tumors affected less than 40% of the total surface area of the
colony. The polyps in the tumor appear to show a relatively disorderly pattern as compared to
unaffected portion of the colony. Observation by stereoscopic microscope showed that the
corallites in the tumor are undeveloped. PUWS were found to have differing degrees of
progression. Some colonies completely recovered after 35 days, while no change was observed
in others. In some colonies, PUWS were observed to have spread rapidly but recovery was also
fast. There appears to be a repeated pattern of infection and recovery.
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