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<DIV><FONT size=2>Dear coral listers</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>During routine surveys conducted in the lagoon on the eastern
coast of Mauritius, Indian Ocean, this week i noticed that some large
colonies of Acropora cytherea have lost their tissues, some totally and
some partially There are others which have not been affected at all (reminds me
of the 1998 coral bleaching episode). I have not noticed any disease
line of active tissue necrosis.This plague must have progressed very fast as
last week i w as at the same site but the corals did not show any sign of
infestation. Within a week, some of the colonies have died and they are covered
with green filmentous algae though which one can still see the white coral
skeleton. Corals of other species, such as branching Acropora, Foliose
montipora etc , although occurring side by side have not been affected at
all. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2> </FONT><FONT size=2>Iam not sure whether the corals have
been affected by white band disease I or II, tissue bleaching, shut
down reaction or plague.Is there anyway we can identify the disease from field
observations? Also any reason why only colonies of A.cytherea are being
affected?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks a lot </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Cheers</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Ruby</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Ruby Moothien Pillay</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Albion Fisheries Research Centre</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Albion, Petite Riviere</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Mauritius</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Phone: +2304100 Fax: +2384131</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Email: <A
href="mailto:Kamlaruby@intnet.mu">Kamlaruby@intnet.mu</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>