ring-shaped lesions on A. palmata

[Precht, Bill]

Dana:

I cannot access the web page you posted and so I have not seen your photos,
but it sounds like the response to spot biting by the yellowtail damselfish
(Microspathodon chrysurus).  These are typically white in color, circular
and about the size of a US half dollar coin.  They generally heal with time.
You may want to contact Andy Bruckner for more info.

cheers,

Bill


William F. Precht, P.G.
Ecological Sciences Program Manager
PBS&J
2001 NW 107th Avenue
Miami, FL  33172
305-592-7275
fax:305-594-9574
1-800-597-7275
bprecht at pbsj.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Dana Williams [mailto:Dana.Williams at noaa.gov]
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 3:13 PM
To: coral list
Cc: James D Williams; Strawn Toler; Dan Davis
Subject: ring-shaped lesions on A. palmata

Coral-Listers,
At Molasses Reef in the Florida Keys, I recently observed a patch of
approximately 15 Acropora palmata colonies which had numerous
ring-shaped lesions, only 2 or 3 smaller colonies in this patch were
lacking these distinct "rings".
Scars that were identical in appearance were photographed by Margaret
Miller on one or two A. palmata colonies as well as some Millepora
complanata in August 1999 at Pickles Reef (several miles south of
Molasses Reef).
Figures of these scars and additional observations can be viewed at:
http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/REEFNEW/coral_reef.htm (click on the link at
the top of the page, "ring-shaped scars on Acropora palmata from
Molasses Reef")

These colonies are being monitored to determine the fate of these
lesions but I would appreciate any insight into the cause of these marks
and the prognosis for the affected colonies.

Dana

--
Dana E. Williams, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Associate
National Marine Fisheries Service
75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami FL 33149
(305) 361-4569

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