Terrestrial runoff influences white syndrome prevalence in SW Madagascar

Terrestrial runoff and sedimentation have been implicated in a variety of impacts on scleractinian corals. However, despite accumulating evidence, little work has been done to investigate their influence on coral disease development. This study examined the role that river runoff and the associated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 2014-10, Vol.101, p.44-51
Main Authors: Sheridan, C., Baele, J.M., Kushmaro, A., Fréjaville, Y., Eeckhaut, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Anthozoa - microbiology
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Coral reefs
Corals
Discharge
Diseases
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental stress
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geologic Sediments - microbiology
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Madagascar
Pathogens
Reefs
Rivers
Rivers - microbiology
Runoff
Scleractinia
Sea water ecosystems
Sedimentation
Sediments
Stress, Physiological
Synecology
Terrestrial runoff
Western Indian Ocean
White syndrome
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Summary:Terrestrial runoff and sedimentation have been implicated in a variety of impacts on scleractinian corals. However, despite accumulating evidence, little work has been done to investigate their influence on coral disease development. This study examined the role that river runoff and the associated sedimentation could play in affecting the prevalence of the coral disease “white syndrome” in SW Madagascar. Corals from reefs affected by river discharge and terrestrial sediments were more affected by white syndrome than reefs located far from any source of terrestrial runoff. Terrestrial runoff-affected reefs also displayed a wider diversity of coral species affected by this disease. While much evidence has been pointing in the direction of indirect effects of such runoff on coral disease development, our data corroborates earlier suggestions that pathogens are present within the sediments. As such, sediments released on reefs through river discharge could act as reservoirs of coral pathogens. •White syndrome prevalence is associated with terrestrial runoff in SW Magadascar.•Disease severity and the diversity of affected corals are higher at affected sites.•Potential coral pathogens are found within sediments affecting corals.
ISSN:0141-1136
1879-0291
DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.08.003