[Coral-List] Early bleaching and plague-like syndrome in Culebra

[Hernandez Edwin]

Dear coral-listers!

Saludos. Just a short communication from Culebra
Island, Puerto Rico. Mean SST has increased up to 29C
at 8 m, with 30.5C at 3 m.

There are already bleached colonies of the following
coral species:

1. Montastraea annularis.
2. Agaricia agaricites.
3. Leptoseris cucullata.
4. Siderastrea siderea.
5. Diploria clivosa.
6. Millepora alcicornis.

Also, several M. annularis colonies within our
permanent monitoring site were infected with a 
"white plague-like" syndrome. So far, there were a few
almost completely killed colonies, and several others
with >50% mortality. Coral size ranged from about 50
cm to about 2 m.

There were also another group of M. cavernosa infected
with BBD.

We'll provide another update from the field later next
week.

Regards,

Edwin
(from Culebra)

University of Puerto Rico
Research Affiliate
Dept. Biology
Coral Reef Research Group
PO Box 23360
San Juan, PR 00931-3360

Tel 787-764-0000 x-4855
Fax 787-764-2610

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