[Coral-List] Bleaching in the Lower Florida Keys

Kim Ritchie ritchie at mote.org
Mon Sep 12 10:11:14 EDT 2005


Please note that moderate to high bleaching was observed in the Lower 
Florida Keys (Looe Key Reef) on September 9. In addition, there were 
numerous Acropora palmata mortalities observed at this site. Two areas 
in the Upper Keys regions (Molasses Reef and White Banks), observed on 
September 10, displayed relatively low levels of bleaching. See below 
for bleaching and A. palmata mortality details:

*Looe Key/Lower Keys*
September 9, 2005
An estimated 30-40% of live coral cover was observed bleached, including 
the following species:

Montastrea annularis – 100% bleaching of all individuals.

M. faveolata – mottled and top region bleaching in 30-40% of individuals.

M. cavernosa – paling/mottled bleaching of 50%.

Porites astreoides, P. furcata, P. divaricata – 100% bleaching of 10% of 
individuals.

Diploria strigosa – 100% bleaching observed on 50% of colonies.

Diploria clivosa – 100% bleaching on 20% of colonies.

Palythoa caribaeorum – 100% bleached in 60% of live cover.

Acropora palmata – Approximately 80% mortality of 1998 post hurricane 
Georges recruits. 40% dead may be due to earlier Hurricane Dennis and 
later Hurricane Katrina scouring. 40% displayed mottled bleaching. 
Almost no unaffected colonies were observed, with the exception of a few 
small 1-2 year recruits. Of the 80% dead, numerous had tips with green 
secondary overgrowth, mid regions with yellow overgrowth, and recently 
lost lower regions white, with no tissue present. Live tissue was 
generally observed only at the colony base. Note that this may be 
similar to disease symptoms described by Dana Williams and Margaret 
Miller in mid-July on Upper Keys reefs.

Numerous less prevalent species were affected.


*Molasses Reef/Upper Keys*
September 10, 2005

Palythoa caribaeorum –mottled to total bleaching

Stony corals – no totally bleached colonies were observed. 30-40% of 
live cover observed with paling to mottled bleaching.

Millipora alcicornis and M. complanata - 100% bleaching in 10% of 
individuals; paling in 30% of M. complanata.


*White Banks/Upper Keys*
September 10, 2005

Palythoa caribaeorum – mottled to total bleaching

Stony corals – no totally bleached colonies were observed, but 30-40% 
with paling to mottled bleaching

Acropora cervicornis – bleaching on surface-facing portions of colonies.

Millipora alcicornis and M. complanata - 100% bleaching in 10% of 
individuals; paling in 30% of  M. complanata.





More information about the Coral-List mailing list