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<DIV><FONT size=2>Dear all</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>An MSc student investigating parasitism/mutualism of
polychaete worms (Spirobranchus) on Acropora plates at Sodwana (South Africa),
to see if they can be used as an indicator of reef health. We are battling to
find references that refer to any kind of data on this phenomenon, and have only
been able to find mostly anecdotal info.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>She is hypothesising that areas that are shallower and with
higher diver number will be more stressed, and thus will have a greater degree
of infestation of Spirobranchus. Plates that occur deeper should have fewer
parasites (less storm damage and fewer divers), as should less dived
sites.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>Has anyone come across any information (even unpublished
reports) about the effects of Spirobranchus or other creatures on coral health
(does they perhaps retard coral growth), or any reports that have sucessfully
linked damage to numbers of parasites or other bioindicators ?</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>Many thanks</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Bridget Armstrong<BR>KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation
Service<BR>South Africa</FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>