[Coral-List] White plague disease

[Valeria Pizarro]

Dear Coral-listers,
During the last two months in the islands of San Andres and Old Providence (Western
Caribbean, Colombia) white plague disease has been observed in different reef areas.
The incidence of the disease has increased in both islands, but the species affected
vary. While in San Andres brain corals (genera Diploria and Colpophyllia) seem to be
the most affected, in Old Providence it is Montastraea annularis and M. faveolata.
Disease progress in Old Providence varied between 0.16 and 0.6 cm per day. This
variation might be related to the coral species affected by white plague. It has
been estimated that approximately 20% of the coral cover has been killed by the
disease. The extent of mortality in San Andres is less, estimated around 10%. We are
planning a detailed assessment of the extent of the disease at both islands, and if
possible in other reef areas of the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and
Santa Catalina. We would like to hear from other researchers working on disease
monitoring programs along the Caribbean.

Best wishes,

Valeria Pizarro, PhD Student
Pilar Herron, MSc
Santiago Posada
Giovanna Peñalosa
Nicasio Howard



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