From J.MCMANUS at cgnet.com Tue Sep 5 18:16:00 1995 From: J.MCMANUS at cgnet.com (John McManus) Date: Tue, 05 Sep 1995 15:16:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: No subject Message-ID: <304C106F@msm.cgnet.com> TO : Coral - List FROM : John W. McManus/ReefBase Project Leader CCRRSP, ICLARM, Makati, Metro Manila DATE : September 5, 1995 GREETINGS FROM REEFBASE! Coral-List, with its highly specialized audience, would be a good means of gathering up to date accounts from the people intimately aware of the things happening to the coral reefs. We greatly appreciate the efforts of James Hendee and his colleagues for initiating and maintaining coral-list. This message comes to you from ReefBase, the global coral reef database being developed at ICLARM in the Philippines. We are currently expanding our tables on reef stresses and would like to enlist your help. Would you have anything on major pollution occurrence (e.g. oil spills), destructive fishing practices, storms/cyclones; sedimentation, ship grounding, disease outbreaks, predator attacks and bleaching incidents on the reefs which you are familiar with? We d like to know about them from you. When describing an event, please note the major anthropogenic stress, the common name of the reef and its coordinates, if possible. If there are any published or unpublished references relating to these, we would welcome copies Send any communication to: John McManus, Ph.D. ICLARM MCPO Box 2631 0718 Makati City PHILIPPINES Fax: (632) 8163183 E-mail: J.MCMANUS at CGNET.com We at ReefBase are coming up with a user-friendly international database on coral reefs and reef resources. As a collaborative effort between the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), the World Wildlife Conservation and Monitoring Centre (WCMC) with the support of the European Commission, ReefBase was initiated in 1993 as an effort to obtain updated global and regional summaries and assessments of the state of the reefs. Our information comes mainly from scientific papers, technical and popular articles as well as published and/or unpublished reports. Lately, we have been receiving a few reports of bleaching incidents and Acanthaster outbreaks through the e-mail. We would appreciate receiving more of these from you. We d also appreciate if you would send us a copy of your scientific papers, popular articles or technical reports related to the following topics: ? various aspects of coral reef ecology; ? the most common uses of reefs; ? harvest practices for near shore resources; ? natural and human induced stresses on reefs ? marine protected areas; and ? government and traditional management policies on reefs and reef systems; A preliminary version of ReefBase on a CD-ROM will be released at the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium in Panama in 1996. Any contribution you send us will be properly cited. Thank you in advance for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance to you or if you have any further questions about ReefBase. From tguild at lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu Tue Sep 5 16:04:12 1995 From: tguild at lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu (Tom Guilderson) Date: Tue, 5 Sep 1995 15:04:12 -0500 Subject: microbial endoliths Message-ID: <9509051902.AA25466@lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu> A query regarding endoltihs and their borings, with particular emphasis on Ostreobium spp (eg. O. queketti). Is the boring a purely physical mechanism or is there chemical dissolution associated with it? Thanks in advance for replies and assistance to the litterature. From SBAIL at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu Wed Sep 6 16:16:58 1995 From: SBAIL at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu (Stephanie Bailenson) Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 10:16:58 -1000 Subject: white line disease Message-ID: <385D8E47521@ZOOGATE.ZOO.HAWAII.EDU> I got this from a fish-ecology listserv and wanted to know if anyone knew more about it. Is this new or are they really referring to white band disease? Mahalo, Stephanie Bailenson sbail at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu New Coral Disease. On Aug. 28, 1995, an Associate Press release noted reports of a new "white line disease" killing elliptical star coral in the Florida Keys. While some scientists speculate that a virus might be responsible, others are cautious in suggesting what may be promoting this disease.} [Assoc Press] From joshua at polaris.ncs.nova.edu Wed Sep 6 17:01:55 1995 From: joshua at polaris.ncs.nova.edu (JOSHUA Feingold) Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 17:01:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: white line disease In-Reply-To: <385D8E47521@ZOOGATE.ZOO.HAWAII.EDU> Message-ID: Hello Stephanie, I have observed this "disease" on Dichocoenia colonies in Key Largo near Conch Reef, Florida. The etiology appears different than white band disease since the "disease" progresses from the base up the sides, and there is no distinctive white band. Also, there is no apparent (obvious to the naked eye) organism or community of organisms present on affected colonies - there is simply a white region adjacent to live, normal appearing tissue. Many researchers are jumping on this research opportunity and you should expect to hear a scientific update on this in the near future. Incidentally, I did not see any evidence of this "disease" on Dichocoenia colonies on the 2nd reef (3-5m depth) off Dania Beach, Florida. Over 100 colonies were surveyed, and all appeared normal or with slightly paled pigment. Joshua Feingold joshua at polaris.ncs.nova.edu Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida On Wed, 6 Sep 1995, Stephanie Bailenson wrote: > > I got this from a fish-ecology listserv and wanted to know if anyone > knew more about it. Is this new or are they really > referring to white band disease? > > Mahalo, > Stephanie Bailenson > sbail at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu > > > New Coral Disease. On Aug. 28, 1995, an Associate Press release > noted reports of a new "white line disease" killing elliptical star > coral in the Florida Keys. While some scientists speculate that a > virus might be responsible, others are cautious in suggesting what > may be promoting this disease.} [Assoc Press] > From reinhold.leinfelder at po.uni-stuttgart.de Wed Sep 6 19:21:54 1995 From: reinhold.leinfelder at po.uni-stuttgart.de (Reinhold Leinfelder) Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 01:21:54 +0200 Subject: Stuttgart reefgroup online Message-ID: Dear colleagues, Dear friends, Our reef group (from the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology at the University of Stuttgart, Germany) is on the web now. If you are interested in Jurassic (and other) reefs, please pop in at: http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/UNIuser/igps/researchfiles/reefgroup.html We included our literature references, various abstracts and some published pictures (to be extended). The general home page of our institute is: http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/UNIuser/igps/home.html Best wishes Reinhold ******************************************* Reinhold Leinfelder Institut fuer Geologie und Palaeontologie der Universitaet Stuttgart Herdweg 51 D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany e-mail: reinhold.leinfelder at po.uni-stuttgart.de phone: ++49-711-1211340 fax: ++49-711-1211341 New: our Institute is on the web now! From sgittings at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Tue Sep 12 18:07:18 1995 From: sgittings at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Gittings, S.) Date: 12 Sep 1995 17:07:18 -0500 Subject: Mass Spawning - NW Gulf Mex. Message-ID: Observations of coral reef spawning at the Flower Garden Banks, NW Gulf of Mexico, August 14 - August 22, 1995. Compiled by Steve Gittings and Ken Deslarzes Flower Garden Banks NMS 1716 Briarcrest Dr., Suite 603 Bryan, TX 77802 Phone: (409) 847-9296 Email: sgittings at ocean.nos.noaa.gov The following provides details of spawning observations reported by scientists and recreational divers who participated on cruises between August 14 and 25, 1995 in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Quotation marks indicate dive descriptions of their observations. Be on the lookout for a possible September 16 coral spawning event following the September 8 (2338 hrs) full moon. August 14, 1995 Night time observation: possible spawning by Mussa angulosa a red material was seen streaming from a polyp. It was uncertain whether it was from the coral or from something between the polyps. Photographs were taken by a recreational diver and hopefully, will be forwarded to the Sanctuary. August 15, 1995 - no diving operations were conducted. August 16, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 1930 hrs: Spawning by one male Montastrea cavernosa. 2120 hrs: Spawning by female Montastrea cavernosa colonies. One Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) was seen spawning ("spiral of smoke"), probably a male, based on diver description. 2130-2230 hrs: Montastraea franksi spawned in abundance, but less than in 1994. 2130-2230 hrs: Coral gamete bundles were observed at the sea surface. 2245 hrs: A Rough Fileclam (Lima scabra) released a "cloud". The fileclam shot the material out during one pulse. The cloud dissipated in about 10-15 seconds. August 17, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 0011-0020 hrs: A few coral gamete bundles were spotted on the surface at 0011 hrs. The coral spawning pulse reached a peak at 0020 hrs, but subsided to nil before 0030 hrs. 1630 hrs: Two Bar Jacks (Caranx ruber) were seen spawning. 2050-2128 hrs: Numerous male Montastrea cavernosa colonies spawned. 2103 hrs: Several Diploria strigosa colonies spawned. 2110 hrs: Call from the M/V Fling at the West Flower Garden Bank reporting coral spawning had begun. 2112 hrs: Egg release by Montastrea cavernosa . 2115 hrs: Diploria strigosa and two Christmas Tree Worms were seen spawning. 2130 hrs: One huge female Montastrea cavernosa colony was seen spawning. 2130-2230 hrs: M. franksi spawned in abundance, also one small Diploria strigosa colony spawned. Ruby Brittle Stars (Ophioderma rubicundum) were out on the coral heads but none were seen spawning as has been witnessed in the past. 2300-0030 hrs: Spawning by numerous Montastraea faveolata. Samples of Montastrea and Diploria were collected and processed for fertilization experiments. August 18, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 1630-1930 hrs: Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) were seen spawning. Eight to eleven female Bluehead Wrasse, large in size, full adults, were seen swimming very closely together within a 1 m2 area, 30 cm above the reef. One supermale Bluehead Wrasse swimming in the periphery of the 1 m2 area, was seen going into the school of females to then rush 30-40 cm above the school along side a female. A brief (no more than a few seconds) and spontaneous release of male and female gametes was seen. 1900 hrs: A "plump " Montastrea cavernosa colony was observed and another with gametes present and visible in body cavity. 2145 hrs: Diploria strigosa was seen spawning. 2200-2220 hrs: M. franksi spawned in relatively low numbers. 2225-2305 hrs: Surface coral gamete slick observed. 2250 hrs and 2330 hrs : M. faveolata spawning. August 19, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 0100 hrs: No spawning activity was observed. 2045-2115 hrs: Active Colpophyllia natans spawning, dense surface gamete slick. 2130-2300 hrs: One female Ruby Brittle Star was seen spawning. August 20, 1995 (West Flower Garden Bank) Daytime observation: Bluehead Wrasse were seen releasing gametes. 1900-2015 hrs: Christmas Tree Worms spawned. Both sperm and eggs release witnessed. August 21, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 2130 hrs: A Diploria strigosa colony was seen spawning ("a seven to eight minute release of pinkish eggs"). August 22, 1995 (West Flower Garden Bank) 1755 hrs: Montastrea cavernosa was seen spawning. 2115 hrs: Coral gamete bundles seen at the sea surface (not a dense slick). 2130-2230 hrs: No spawning activity seen on the bottom. August 22, 1995 (East Flower Garden Bank) 2000 hrs: Creole Wrasse (Clepticus parrae) spawning rushes observed Summary: SPAWNING ORGANISMS, INCLUDING CORALS, FISH, and INVERTEBRATES Mussa angulosa (?) Aug 16 Caranx ruber Aug 17 Ophioderma rubicundum Aug 19 M. cavernosa Aug 16, 17, 22 Thalassoma bifasciatum Aug 16, 20 Spirobranchus giganteus Aug 16, 17, 20 M. franksi Aug 16, 17, 18 Clepticus parrae Aug 22 M. faveolata Aug 17, 18 D. strigosa Aug 17, 18, 21 C. natans Aug 19 CORAL SPAWN TIMING DATE TIME Aug 16-17 1930-0020 Aug 17-18 2050-0030 Aug 18 2145-2330 Aug 19 2045-2115 Aug 21 2130 Aug 22 2115 From Madeline.G at eworld.com Tue Sep 12 19:54:44 1995 From: Madeline.G at eworld.com (Madeline.G at eworld.com) Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 16:54:44 -0700 Subject: Intro and request for information on volunteering... Message-ID: <950912165442_14802586@eWorld.com> Greetings, I just joined this list, having just been referred to the CHAMP page... sounds like a great program! Does that program, or any others like it, need volunteers to help with eg,. the research and monitoring? Can anyone suggest someone I could talk with re: this? I am going to be taking a break from my current line of work (interactive media designer) this winter, and would love nothing more than to be doing alot of warm-water diving that could somehow help out a worthy cause. I've been diving about 10 years now, am currently getting my divemaster certification. I speak fluent Spanish and semi-fluent French. And, I've done prior volunteer work for the Fla Keys Nat'l Marine Sanctuary, Canyonlands Nat'l Park, etc... more details can be happily furnished upon request ;-). Any pointers or suggestions would be most appreciated! thanks, Madeline From kiene at informatik.uni-frankfurt.de Wed Sep 13 14:33:05 1995 From: kiene at informatik.uni-frankfurt.de (William Kiene) Date: Wed, 13 Sep 95 14:33:05 MESZ Subject: Panama "Taphonomy" session Message-ID: <9509131233.AA10103@hera.rbi.informatik.uni-frankfurt.de> Taphonomy of Past and Present Reef Organisms A symposium session for the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium in Panama 24-29 June 1996 Reminder: We are soliciting participation in this symposium to bring together presentations on a wide range of aspects concerning the taphonomic process on reefs. We seek presentations from both geologists and biologists working on living and fossil reef communities. The taphonomic process on reefs includes the factors that influence the way skeletal remains contribute to the formation and growth of reef framework and sedimentary environments. It also includes the factors that control the budgets of CaCO3 in reef environments. The session will provide a venue for presentations dealing with such processes as mortality, decay, encrustation, bioerosion, deposition, and diagenesis on reefs. If you are interested to make a presentation, please notify one of us by 1 October 1995 via post, fax, or e-mail. Please include a preliminary title. Please send us a COPY of your abstract when prepared. Final abstracts should be prepared as instructed in the second 8th ICRS circular and SENT TO THE EDITOR, H.A. Lessios, not later than 1 November 1995. (If you do not have these instructions, please let us know or contact H.A. Lessios in Panama: fax: 507-228-0516, E-mail: stri01.naos.lessiosh at ic.si.edu ). We look forward to your participation. Dr. William E. Kiene Dr. James Nebelsick Geology-Palaontology Institute Institute for Geology J.W.Goethe University and Palaeontology Senckenberganlage 32 University of Tuebingen D-60054 Frankfurt am Main Sigwartstrasse 10 Germany D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany Tel: +49 69 798 28598 Tel: +49 7071 29 7546 Fax: +49 69 798 22958 Fax: +49 7071 29 6990 kiene at informatik.uni-frankfurt.de nebelsick at uni-tuebingen.de From vscalco at earthsat.com Thu Sep 14 11:03:00 1995 From: vscalco at earthsat.com (vscalco at earthsat.com) Date: Thu, 14 Sep 95 11:03:00 EDT Subject: coral reef in philippines Message-ID: <9509141503.002620@esat-155.earthsat.com> We are interested in existing studies and geographic data bases for an area of the Philippines; (14 degrees to 11 degrees South/118 degrees 30 minutes to 122 degrees East). We are looking to determine the health of the coral reef in the above area and we are looking for researches who have extensive knowledge of this type of study. Please email us with your qualifications and information and we will get back with you. Thank you very much for your cooperation. From T_AYUKAI at aims.gov.au Mon Sep 18 02:01:57 1995 From: T_AYUKAI at aims.gov.au (T_AYUKAI at aims.gov.au) Date: Mon, 18 Sep 1995 16:01:57 +1000 Subject: ICRS Symposium: Ecology of Pest Organisms" Message-ID: <01HVFDDNKD988WWQXZ@AIMS.GOV.AU> Dear Colleague, Dr. Brian Lassig and myself are organizing a session on "Ecology of Pest Organisms on Coral Reefs" for the ICRS meeting in Panama. Those who have expressed an interest in presenting a paper in our session (see the list below). Could you please send me your abstract by; OCTOBER 16 (MONDAY). We may have a few more slots during our session. Should you think that your talk is relevant to the objectives of our session, please contact me as soon as possible. Potential Participants: Drupella - Dr. Loya (Israel), Dr. McClanahan (Kenya), Dr. Black (Aust.) Crown-of-thorns starfish - Dr. Zann (Aust.), Dr. Oliver (Aust.), Mr. Okaji (Aust.) Sea urchins - Dr. Hutchings (Aust.) Background: Crown-of-thorns starfish has caused extensive damages to a number of coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Feeding by some gastropods has been a significant cause of coral mortality. Coral reefs in some locations are also suffering from massive bioerosion due to grazing by sea urchins. Outbreaks of these pest organisms and their effects on the condition of coral reefs should not be dealt with in isolation from the rapid deterioration of coral reefs on a global scale. A number of now heavily deteriorated coral reefs were initially affected by outbreaks of pest organisms, in particular of crown-of-thorns starfish. Such coral reefs failed to recover afterwards, because of the presence of stresses caused by human activities. Crown-of-thorns starfish, coral eating gastropods and sea urchins. They are all natural inhabitants of coral reefs and in this context should not be regarded as pest organisms. The important point is, however, whether outbreaks of these organisms are a natural phenomenon or are somehow linked to human activities. Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, for example, seem to occur naturally, but a possibility remains that their intensity is exacerbated by the consequence(s) of human activities, such as eutrophication and over-fishing.It may be the human that makes crown-of-thorns starfish pest organisms. The objectives of the proposed session are to gather the latest information on the population status of pest organisms on coral reefs of different locations and to develop further understanding of factors affecting their population dynamics. It will also address through discussions a question of how human activities might affect populations of pest organisms on coral reefs. (You may have seen a few unfinished messages from me. I apologize) Tenshi Ayukai Australian Institute of Marine Science Fax 61-77-725852 e-mail t.ayukai at aims.gov.au. Brian Lassig Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Fax 61-77-726093 e-mail brian_lassig at gbrmpa.gov.au. From sgittings at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Mon Sep 18 15:22:47 1995 From: sgittings at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Gittings, S.) Date: 18 Sep 1995 14:22:47 -0500 Subject: Coral Spawning and Bleaching Message-ID: On September 16, eight evenings after the September 8 full moon, the corals of the East Flower Garden Bank (northwest Gulf of Mexico) spawned in mass. The timing and species involved were similar to some previous years. This was after August spawning reported over seven evenings between August 16 and 22. Unfortunately, we were not able to make observations on Sept. 15 or 17. Diploria strigosa brain corals began spawning at about 8:00 p.m. (CDT) on the 16th and continued until around 10:00 p.m. Sperm release from male Montastrea cavernosa colonies was observed between 9:00 and 10:30. No egg release by females was reported. Montastrea annularis (most descriptions indicated M. faveolata form was the predominant participant) star corals spawned between 9:40 and 10:15. A dense spawn slick was evident from 8:00 to 8:30, then again from 9:15 to 10:35, and a final small, but dense slick passed the ship at 11:05. There was a lull in activity on the bottom between 8:30 and 9:15. The decrease in the slick density occurred at nearly the same time. Also observed spawning at 10:30 was a male Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus; no egg release by females was witnessed in September), and the sponge Ectyoplasia ferox (observations at 3:30 and 10:30). Associated observations: Ruby brittle stars (Ophioderma rubicundum) were active, but unlike previous years, no spawning was witnessed. Brittle stars were on the tops of corals. Some collected gamete bundles and scurried for cover, as usual, when hit by video or dive lights. A manta ray was seen by two divers around 9:15, but no mention was made of it feeding on gamete bundles. The water was unusually green over the banks during the week before, and during, the spawning. Visibility was less than 70 feet, and currents on the bottom just under a knot. Blue water usually surrounds the Flower Gardens and visibility is typically over 100 feet. A swarm of 100s of moon jellys (Aurelia aurita) passed over the site at 9:15, also an unusual sighting, one probably associated with the atypical water mass. Seas during the spawing were less than two feet and winds were from the south at less than 5 knots. A 1 knot bottom currents was heading east and the surface current was nearly slack, but heading northeast. Things to consider: There is still a lot to learn before we can accurately predict the expected timing and extent of spawning on various reefs and for different species. Could it be that the relatively early August full moon "confused" the corals into spawning erratically over seven nights, even though the majority happened on the 8th evening after the full moon? The early Sept. full moon was followed eight evenings later by a dramatic mass spawning. In 1990, a dramatic "main event" was witnessed on August 13, three nights before this years first observations, so there is obviously more to the picture than the date. Next year there is a very late July full moon and a late August full moon (similar to 1993 when the main event was seen on Sept. 8, after the August 31 full moon). Based on observations at the Flower Gardens since 1990, I am betting on the September spawning date. If no unusual environmental events intervene, it also seems likely that the event will be quite focused and perhaps more intense than this year's activity. Bleaching Water temperature was 30.0#161#C on September 16th, and considerable bleaching was in progress for three species (Millepora alcicornis, Montastrea cavernosa, and Stephanocoenia michelini, while a number of other species appeared to be much paler than normal). This high a temperature this late in the year is unusual for the Flower Gardens and is very similar to patterns of 1990, the last bleaching year at the site. Even so, my visual estimate is that extreme bleaching is affecting less than 10% of the coral cover (coral cover is about 50%). This may, however, exceed 1990 levels, so it bears watching. Corals are being monitored at 80 repetitive photographic stations, each eight square meters in size. From SH at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk Tue Sep 19 07:24:27 1995 From: SH at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk (Charles Sheppard) Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 11:24:27 GMT Subject: Hurricanes, Saba and sponges Message-ID: Kenny Buchan, the marine park manager in Saba, has asked for any published details or unpublished information on regrowth and recovery rates of sponges, particularly "barrel sponges". Saba's spectacular sponges suffered in the last few weeks from the two hurricanes which passed close by. Any information can be passed to me for forwarding, and will be gratefully received. C. Sheppard, Dept Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. Best wishes Charles Sheppard From eweil at rsmas.miami.edu Tue Sep 19 08:31:02 1995 From: eweil at rsmas.miami.edu (Ernesto Weil) Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 08:31:02 -0400 Subject: spawning timing in Montastraeas, etc. Message-ID: <199509191231.IAA10532@umigw.miami.edu> I am interested in information on the timing differences in spawning onset among the three sibling species of Montastraea (M. annularis, M. faveolata, and M. franksi) observed in August and September of this year or last year. In Key Largo and Biscayne National Park (BNP) Mfranksi spawned between 1 and 1 1/2 hours before the other two species in 1994 and 1995). This year , Mfaveolata started to spawn about half an hour to 45 min before Mannularis. Any information is appreciated. This month , very few colonies spawned in Key Largo Dry Rocks, Florida Reef Track. One Mannularis was observed spawning at 23:20 on the night of Sep. 14. Three Mfaveolata spawned at 23:20 on the night of Sep. 15. None spawned on the 17. Spawning intensity was very low and sparse around the colony. Around 10-20 % of the polyps in Mannularis, and a little more than that but less than 50% of all polyps in Mfaveolata. Thanks. EW. From aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu Tue Sep 19 09:52:19 1995 From: aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu (Alina Szmant) Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:52:19 -0400 Subject: Florida coral spawning Message-ID: <199509191352.JAA11937@umigw.miami.edu> In contrast to other areas (Jamaica and Texas Flower Gardens) from which we have reports of a second coral spawning in September (15, 16), there was little to no spawning on two Florida Keys reefs on Sept. 14-16. Extensive checking of Key Largo and Biscayne National Park colonies of the Montastraea species revealed very few (ca. 2-5 %) of colonies with gonads. Samples of four of these colonies brought into the laboratory spawned at odd hours in contrast with previous years in which lab corals spawned at the same time as field corals. Any other observations from Florida coral spawn watchers would be appreciated. ********************************************** Dr. Alina M. Szmant Coral Reef Research Group RSMAS-MBF University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami FL 33149 TEL: (305)361-4609 FAX: (305)361-4600 or 361-4005 E-mail: ASZMANT at RSMAS.MIAMI.EDU ********************************************** From JAAP_W at harpo.dep.state.fl.us Tue Sep 19 11:03:00 1995 From: JAAP_W at harpo.dep.state.fl.us (Walt, Jaap) Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 10:03:00 -0500 (EST) Subject: Hurricanes, Saba and sponges - Reply Message-ID: <01HVHB43P31I004BOS@mr.dep.state.fl.us> Dear Dr. Sheppard: Here is some unpublished thought on the regrown of Xestospongia muta. In 1983 a salvage operation off Key Largo damaged a large number of these sponges. The towing cables from the tug boats were allowed to drop to the bottom. When the slack was recovered, the cables cut the sponges in half and less. After about five years those that survived (most with 25 percent or more of the body left intact) did recover and grow back. The growth was somewhat abnormal so it was possible to detect the individuals that were damaged. Within about ten years, the recovery was nearly complete; meaning that the growth had repaired most of the damage and the sponges are about as large as those that were not affected by the tug cables. Hope this is of some use. Walt Jaap FMRI, St. Pete From J.MCMANUS at cgnet.com Thu Sep 21 21:31:00 1995 From: J.MCMANUS at cgnet.com (John McManus) Date: Thu, 21 Sep 1995 18:31:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: coral reef in Philippines Message-ID: <3061C736@msm.cgnet.com> This message comes as a reply to that which you sent to coral-list inquiring about coral reefs in the Philippines. ReefBase has 135 reefs listed for the area you specified (that is assuming you meant 14 degrees to 11 degrees North instead of South and 118 degrees to 122 degrees East) We are not particularly sure about the kind of information you need but if you'd get back to us we'd look into our database maybe refer you to those who have been doing studies in the area. Menchie Ablan Team Leader ReefBase ---------- From: owner-coral-list To: coral-list Cc: vscalco; vscalco; vscalco; vscalco Subject: coral reef in philippines Date: Thursday, September 14, 1995 11:03AM We are interested in existing studies and geographic data bases for an area of the Philippines; (14 degrees to 11 degrees South/118 degrees 30 minutes to 122 degrees East). We are looking to determine the health of the coral reef in the above area and we are looking for researches who have extensive knowledge of this type of study. Please email us with your qualifications and information and we will get back with you. Thank you very much for your cooperation. From SH at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk Fri Sep 22 09:34:00 1995 From: SH at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk (Charles Sheppard) Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 13:34:00 GMT Subject: Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean Message-ID: There is a 20 person reef and island science research visit to Chagos in the central Indian Ocean for periods of up to 6 weeks, starting in February. For various reasons, access to this region is restricted, and this will be the first research visit since expeditions in the 1970's. The atolls are uninhabited, the reefs pristine. A couple of researchers who planned to come have recently had to drop out, thereby freeing up some space. Anybody who is interested in details of the programme and who might wish to participate, please reply to this message, for receipt of a 4 page document on the programme objectives, present participants and logistical details. I hope some of you are interested - I would hate to have to leave a couple of places empty, especially since visits to the central Indian Ocean after this visit may once again be unlikely for a long time. Best wishes Charles Sheppard From eweil at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Sep 22 09:40:52 1995 From: eweil at rsmas.miami.edu (Ernesto Weil) Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 09:40:52 -0400 Subject: "white-line disease" Message-ID: <199509221340.JAA25516@umigw.miami.edu> Colonies of D.stockessi have started to show signs of the disease in Biscayne National Park reefs. Still very few individuals in the area though. Surveys made two weeks ago over 8 reefs (offshore and inshore) resulted in only one colony of Dstockesii (< 1% of colonies surveyed) with signs of the disease. Some colonies of Apalmata have been showing white bands (bleaching, white band disease?) for over a month but this bands do not seem to advance quickly. R. Curry from the Park Service, noted some colonies of M.cavernosa also with white-line disease symptoms. On the other hand, many colonies (60-70 % of the ones surveyed) of Acervicornis where mostly dead with only the tips alive in two of our reef sites. This young colonies were doing fine until two weeks ago. Symptoms seem to be those of the "white-line" disease. More to come. EW. From 73261.2212 at compuserve.com Tue Sep 19 09:09:04 1995 From: 73261.2212 at compuserve.com (Harry McCarty) Date: 19 Sep 95 09:09:04 EDT Subject: Disease Workshop Message-ID: <950919130904_73261.2212_FHO72-2@CompuServe.COM> A workshop, "New Perspectives on Pathobiology of Coral Reef Organisms," will be presented at the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, 24-29 June 1996 in Panama City, Panama. This one-day workshop will be held mid-week during the symposium and will provide a forum for education and communication in the field of pathobiology as it relates to the study of diseases in algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates of tropical marine ecosystems. The workshop will consist of short presentations on diseases and research topics, hands-on discussion/demonstration sessions of methods and techniques in histopathology, microbiology, and parasitology, and a discussion on physical/chemical factors causing or mediating diseases in these organisms. Participants are encouraged to provide short seminars on topics in their area(s) of expertise, as well as to contribute examples of their own disease research "problems" for consultation. Participants are also encouraged to submit papers on diseases of tropical marine organisms for presentation during a contributed paper session at the symposium, which will be published in the symposium proceedings. If you are interested in attending the workshop, please contact: Esther Peters Debbie Santavy Tetra Tech, Inc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 10306 Eaton Place Environmental Research Laboratory Suite 340 1 Sabine Island Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 USA Gulf Breeze, FL 32361 USA phone: 703-385-6000 phone: 904-934-9358 fax: 703-385-6007 fax: 904-934-9300 e-mail: ecpeters at planetcom.com e-mail: dsantavy at gulfbr.gbr.epa.gov From howzit at io.org Sun Sep 24 16:04:58 1995 From: howzit at io.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 16:04:58 -0400 Subject: Indian River, Florida Message-ID: <199509242004.QAA01964@twirl.io.org> Hello, I am interested in any information on the water quality (coral health or lack thereof) of Indian River, Florida. I have left posts in newsgroups such as rec.scuba, surfed the Net for Florida agencies, and come up dry. I am particularly interested if any water quality tests have been done off the ocean there. My interest relates to the high incidence of the disease fibropapillomas in the green sea turtles in the area. Someone studying the reef system or corals in this area (say by diving there) would certainly have the information I need. Thanks ^ Ursula Keuper-Bennett 0 0 Mississauga, Ontario /V^\ I I /^V\ Email: howzit at io.org /V Turtle Trax V\ /V Forever Green V\ http://www.io.org/~bunrab From SBAIL at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu Mon Sep 25 16:13:38 1995 From: SBAIL at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu (Stephanie Bailenson) Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 10:13:38 -1000 Subject: (Fwd) Indian River, Florida Message-ID: <151725E4381@ZOOGATE.ZOO.HAWAII.EDU> This came off the fish scology list...Perhaps someone here can help. ------ Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 16:04:58 -0400 To: coral-list at reef.aoml.erl.gov From: howzit at io.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Subject: Indian River, Florida Hello, I am interested in any information on the water quality (coral health or lack thereof) of Indian River, Florida. I have left posts in newsgroups such as rec.scuba, surfed the Net for Florida agencies, and come up dry. I am particularly interested if any water quality tests have been done off the ocean there. My interest relates to the high incidence of the disease fibropapillomas in the green sea turtles in the area. Someone studying the reef system or corals in this area (say by diving there) would certainly have the information I need. Thanks ^ Ursula Keuper-Bennett 0 0 Mississauga, Ontario /V^\ I I /^V\ Email: howzit at io.org /V Turtle Trax V\ /V Forever Green V\ http://www.io.org/~bunrab From j.reichman at mail.utexas.edu Mon Sep 25 14:55:49 1995 From: j.reichman at mail.utexas.edu (Jay Randall Reichman) Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 13:55:49 -0500 Subject: Coral spawning on Lee Stocking in August Message-ID: <199509251855.NAA19842@smtp.utexas.edu> This is a late note about spawning activity that was observed on North Perry Reef at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas on Aug. 17 and 18. Aug.17: At 21:15 - 21:30 a single colony of Montastrea cavernosa was observed releasing a milky substance (presumed to be sperm) in a series of pulses. From 21:30 - 21:45 many pink/orange balls approx. 1-2mm diameter (probably eggs packs from another Monastrea type) were seen in the water column. The exact colonies from which these balls were released could not be confirmed. Throughout the night there were dense clouds of worms, small fish and other juvinille organisms which were attracted to the lights. Aug. 18: At 21:15 - 21:45 many colonies of M. cavernosa were seen with white packets at the mouths of polyps with retracted tentacles. During the same time large swellings were noted in the grooves of a colony of Copophyllia natans. 21:30, a foamy white slick was observed on the surface. 22:00, a platy colony of Montastrea faveolata (?) released many 1-2mm pink/orange balls in a single pulse. These looked to the unaided eye to be identical to those seen on the previous night. The specific identy of the platy Montastrea is uncertain at present. This colony was examined in the field by Judy Lang and was thought to be M. faveolata, however, the slide which we took of this colony leaves us still wondering. The slide is being sent to Ernesto Weil for comment. We may have to collect the coral during our return to Lee Stocking in October for "expert" identification. 22:10, 5 brittle stars (Ophioderma rubicundum) were observed in an aggregation on top of another platy Montastrea adjacent to the one described above. Again, there were huge amounts of worms, small fish, etc swarming around the lighting equipment. We are still waiting to hear about observations made on Lee Stocking during September. Adios, Jay Reichman Dept. of Zoology University of Texas at Austin From howzit at io.org Mon Sep 25 20:18:05 1995 From: howzit at io.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 20:18:05 -0400 Subject: thank you VERY much Message-ID: <199509260018.UAA22721@pinch.io.org> To all Coral types who responded, Thanks all of you for the info you provided me so quickly regarding people to contact in the Indian River area. Over three months of net surfing brought me zip but one message in Coral got me a phone number. That one phone call to Florida got me another phone number but I know THAT one will have all the info I need. The gentleman I spoke to briefly (it was 10 to 5 when I called) confirmed my suspicion that the Indian River area is far from pristine. I mentioned that our dive site on Maui got trashed and he agreed "trashed" is a good word for Indian River but grand efforts are being made to "restore" it. My husband and I had an area of ocean of West Maui all to ourselves. I've dived it since 1977 - he since 1987. In 1989, this area experienced the first of several cladophora algae blooms. Because we dive with video we were able to document it. Upon our return in 1990 we were shocked at how many corals died in the course of 10 months. Our dive site has been through blooms and heavy run offs and I can't begin to go into everything. I am not a scientist, just a diver whose dive site got trashed. We met some turtles there. We dive with the same animals every year. Since we met them in 1988, we have seen them get sick with a disease. Indian River has the same incidence of disease. Hence my interest in the water lack-of-quality of Indian River. I am also interested in corals because (thankfully) there ARE corals that are still alive in our area and I intend to keep it that way. Now to ask about Australia.... Thanks again ^ Ursula Keuper-Bennett 0 0 Mississauga, Ontario /V^\ I I /^V\ Email: howzit at io.org /V Turtle Trax V\ /V Forever Green V\ http://www.io.org/~bunrab From howzit at io.org Mon Sep 25 20:25:36 1995 From: howzit at io.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 20:25:36 -0400 Subject: Info re. the Great Down Under Message-ID: <199509260025.UAA08378@bonk.io.org> I spent all day yesterday net surfing. I stumbled upon the ERIN server in Australia and buzzed the files there. I read as many files as I could before my back gave out. What got me especially interested was algae blooms in Australia. Two sites are of special interest to me and like before I wish information on the water quality of these two areas. >From the Net files, the two areas of worst eutrophication/algae are Peel-Harvey system Cockburn Sound I am looking for people who can give me info on these two areas. And yes, I am willing to make phone calls to Australia. (It would be a first for me) I suspect with algae blooms that any corals in these two areas are goners. What I am also suspecting is these two areas are prime candidates for sick turtles. If anyone reading this knows of others sub-tropical, tropical areas experiencing algae blooms/eutrophication, I would VERY like to know about it. Turtle people and coral people have VERY much in common. We BOTH need the oceans to be clean. Thanks. ^ Ursula Keuper-Bennett 0 0 Mississauga, Ontario /V^\ I I /^V\ Email: howzit at io.org /V Turtle Trax V\ /V Forever Green V\ http://www.io.org/~bunrab From MINTON_S at skelton.dep.state.fl.us Mon Sep 25 16:59:53 1995 From: MINTON_S at skelton.dep.state.fl.us (Minton, Scott T) Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 15:59:53 -0500 (EST) Subject: Indian Ocean trip Message-ID: <01HVPPCVLFLI004TO5@mr.dep.state.fl.us> I understand that a trip to several pristine Indian Ocean atolls is being planned for Feb 1996. I would appreciate receiving documentation on the research objectives, project logistics, etc. Thanks, Scott Minton minton_s at skelton.dep.state.fl.us From vscalco at earthsat.com Tue Sep 26 09:34:02 1995 From: vscalco at earthsat.com (vscalco at earthsat.com) Date: Tue, 26 Sep 95 09:34:02 EDT Subject: Trip to Indian Ocean Message-ID: <9509261334.022440@esat-155.earthsat.com> I would also like to request documentation on the findings, objectives from the 1996 trip to the several prinstine Indian Ocean Atolls. Thank you. Valerie J. Scalco Product Services Earth Satellite Corporation email: vscalco at earthsat.com From adam at coral.us.sidwell.edu Tue Sep 26 14:19:31 1995 From: adam at coral.us.sidwell.edu (Adam Frampton) Date: Tue, 26 Sep 1995 11:19:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: EarthVision at Sidwell Friends Message-ID: <199509261819.LAA07352@coral.us.sidwell.edu> Interested members of the scientific community: My name is Adam Frampton, and I am a student at the Sidwell Friends High School in Washington, DC. During this school year, a team of students wrote a grant proposal with a team of students and was awarded an EPA grant under the EarthVision project at Saginaw Valley State University, in Bay City Michigan. My team, which includes 4 other students and 1 teacher, participated in several weeks of classes/lectures in Michigan. Our proposal outlined a study of the coral reefs in Southern Florida. We are examining the causes of the decline which has taken place since 1980. Using computational analysis and scientific visualization, we will be creating models, simulations, and visualizations of abiotic and biotic factors. Our school has been awarded a Silicon Graphics Indy workstation equiped with the latest in graphics technology, and access to the Cray Supercomputer at the National Environmental Supercomputing Center, here in Bay City. Our team has experience programming in C and FORTRAN, which are part of the program, but we will be using AVS to create the actual visualizations. We have been working with Dr. James Porter and others to gather our data. Biotic factors that we will be looking at include: percent of coral coverage, species abundance (two species which Dr. Porter refers to as "indicator species,") and species diversity. Abiotic factors include: salinity, pH, temperature, and turbidity. The team recently gained access to the EPA Storet database so perhaps our study will also include heavy metals and other factors. We will be examining the thermocline which causes warmer, hypersaline waters to sink, and attempting to determine it's cause. If possible, we will also try to create a simulation in which we can adjust the abiotic factors and "see" it's effect upon the coral health. Our homepage just opened the other day. Although not quite complete, it does provide a very good outline of what we're going. You can find that homepage at http://coral.sidwell.edu. (Netscape 1.1N+ / 8bit graphics are better for viewing) Because sidwell.edu's net connection is so slow, the homepage will soon be mirrored on townhall.org, which has a T3 connection to the net, I believe. If anyone has any data or knows anything about visualization of the coral reefs, that may be relevant to our study, please feel free to email here at adam at earthvision.svsu.edu. Thank you, Adam Frampton Sidwell Friends EarthVision Team PS- Here are the coordinates of the reefs we are looking at. Ball Buoy Reef 25 deg. 19.067 minutes N 80 deg. 11.128 minutes W Triumph Reef 25 deg. 28.60 minutes N 80 deg. 06.70 minutes W Carys Fort 25 deg. 13.30 minutes N 80 deg. 12.70 minutes W Looe Reef 24 deg. 32.5 minutes N 80 deg. 24.00 minutes W From M.A.Johnston at open.ac.uk Tue Sep 26 14:32:11 1995 From: M.A.Johnston at open.ac.uk (M.A.Johnston (Mabs Johnston)) Date: 26 Sep 1995 18:32:11 +0000 Subject: Indian Ocean trip Message-ID: <199509261733.NAA29571@reef.aoml.erl.gov> Re:Trip to pristine Indian Ocean atolls,Feb 1996.. I would also appreciate receiving documentation on the research objectives, project logistics, bench fees etc. Many thanks, Mabs Johnston M.A.Johnston at open.ac.uk From FKMRC at aol.com Tue Sep 26 19:30:57 1995 From: FKMRC at aol.com (FKMRC at aol.com) Date: Tue, 26 Sep 1995 19:30:57 -0400 Subject: ICRS Coral Culture Symposium Message-ID: <950926193055_68801676@mail02.mail.aol.com> Potential participants: A few slots are left for presentations in the "Coral Culture for Science and Reef Management" symposium to be held during the 8th ICRS in Panama. Papers are sought which describe the methods and results of coral culture for research models and applications such as reef restoration.Talks will be 20 minutes including the question period. Abstracts should conform to the ICRS format and are due no later than 15 October. Manuscripts will be accepted for peer review at the symposium and must also conform to the ICRS instructions. The symposium is being co-organized by myself and Prof. Jean Jaubert. Please send inquiries or abstracts to me at one of the following addresses: Erich Mueller, Director Mote Marine Laboratory Florida Keys Marine Research Center P.O. Box 500895 Marathon, FL 33050 phone: (305) 289-4282 FAX: (305) 289-9664 email: FKMRC at aol.com From Earth.Works at ucb.edu.bz Tue Sep 26 21:43:00 1995 From: Earth.Works at ucb.edu.bz (Melanie McField) Date: Tue, 26 Sep 95 19:43 CST Subject: Coral bleaching in Belize Message-ID: Report on Coral Bleaching: Belize Barrier Reef On 9/23/95 coral bleaching was observed in shallow (0.5 - 1.5 meter) back reef areas off Sergent's Caye, Central Belize Barrier Reef. In this area, Millepora complanata was the most frequently observed coral bleached, partial bleaching was prevalent in Montastrea annularis. The following species were observed bleaching. Millepora complanata ( ~30% of live coral bleached ) Millepora alcicornis Agaricia agricia, f. tenuifolia Porites porites, f. divaricata Montastraea annularis (partial bleaching - creamy yellow) Acropora palmatta ( probably white line disease) Palythoa caribaeorum ?? This was observed in approximately 20 mins. Of swimming. Further reports have been recieved from dive guides and marine park personell along back reefs off northern Ambergris Caye ( as far north as Xcalac, Mexico) and in central Ambergris Caye, near San Pedro in back reefs, channels and fore reef( 50 - 70 feet) . Water temperatures have reportedly been elevated for some time (with temps of 32 - 34 C in shallow back reef areas)- Sapodilla Cayes, Southern Barrier Reef: bleaching of Montastraea, Diploria, Acropora, Millepora, Agaricia, also noted at Roatan, Honduras, (esp. Montastraea annularis) on 9/25 Field trips are now being organized. Details to follow. Melanie Earth.Works at ucb.edu.bz From CBAggie at aol.com Wed Sep 27 12:49:08 1995 From: CBAggie at aol.com (CBAggie at aol.com) Date: Wed, 27 Sep 1995 12:49:08 -0400 Subject: Mailing list Message-ID: <950927124905_110601898@emout06.mail.aol.com> Greetings; I am writting to submit my name for inclusion to the coral reef mailing list. I am currently a graduate research assistant with the Center for Coastal Studies @ Texas A&M University. My current avenue of research is in artificial reefs but, I have conducted research on community structure of hermatypic reef corals and density banding in hermatypic corals. I am currently searching for information on density banding and possible evidence of freshwater exposure and specifically test procedures for determining presence of humic acids in density bands. Is there a procedure for requesting this information in your newsletter? If so, please explain. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Carl Beaver E-mail CBAggie at aol.com Center For Coastal Studies Texas A&M Univ. Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 . From mabel at usp.br Fri Sep 29 05:46:11 1995 From: mabel at usp.br (Mabel Augustowski) Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 04:46:11 -0500 Subject: marine parks Message-ID: <199509290946.EAA23681@spider.usp.br> Hi, Does anyone knows about papers, newsgroups, lists, WWW sites, etc. which deal with marine park management and/or benthos works, environ- mental education on marine ecology in parks, artificial reefs ? Thanks, Mabel Augustowski mabel at usp.br From strong at nadn.navy.mil Fri Sep 29 08:34:10 1995 From: strong at nadn.navy.mil (Prof Alan E Strong) Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 08:34:10 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Caribbean bleaching In-Reply-To: <199509290946.EAA23681@spider.usp.br> Message-ID: Reefer Colleagues, I have just learned from Dr. Ray Hayes that bleaching from high SST has moved into the western Caribbean [Cayman Islands]...we see a great deal of +30C surface water from the Gulf south to Columbia...hurricanes appears to have kept eastern Caribbean mixed and cooler. Has anyone noted an increased incidence of bleaching other than what has been reported at Belize [and earlier this month in the Flower Gardens]? Thanks, Al Strong ***************************************************************************** Alan E. Strong Adj. Asst. Professor Project Manager - CPORS Oceanography Department NOAA/USNA Cooperative Project United States Naval Academy in Oceanic Remote Sensing Annapolis, MD 21402-5026 al at topgun.nadn.navy.mil strong at nadn.navy.mil Lab: Rickover Hall Rm-1 PH: 410-293-6566 410-293-5468 FAX: 410-293-2137 NOAA/NESDIS/ORA: 301-763-8102 ***************************************************************************** From eweil at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Sep 29 15:23:05 1995 From: eweil at rsmas.miami.edu (Ernesto Weil) Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 15:23:05 -0400 Subject: coral bleaching in the Southern Caribbean Message-ID: <199509291923.PAA28378@umigw.miami.edu> I have just found that an intense bleaching event was occurring in some Venezuelan reefs (Morrocoy National Park) on the western coast of the country. This observation was made on Sep. 16 while colleagues went out to watch coral spawing in the park reefs. Water temperatures of up to 32 Celsius were registered down to 8 m deep. Water temperatures were 28 Celcius at 12 m deep. Dr. Ernesto Weil.