From emueller at mote.org Sun Nov 2 13:09:52 1997 From: emueller at mote.org (Erich Mueller) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 10:09:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: course proposals for Pigeon Key Message-ID: Aplogies for any crosslistings. Mote Marine Laboratory's Pigeon Key Marine Research Center Advanced Courses in Tropical Marine Sciences - 1998 Request for Course Proposals Proposals are being solicited to instruct one-week courses at Pigeon Key during the summer of 1998. Two courses will be held concurrently beginning Saturday evening 15 August, 1998 and ending Friday evening, 21 August (students leave the following morning). Instructors should be well-established in their fields and prepared to offer an intensive, hands-on course in their area of expertise. The course may concern any area of tropical marine science and should focus on specific topics and related techniques. The target audience includes advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professionals desiring to obtain new skills. Courses are limited to 12 participants and are selected from applicants by the course instructor. An assistant will be provided to help with laboratory activities and operate the boat. A 27' boat will be available (3 days usage per course which may be scheduled as full or half days). Teaching facilities include the restored Section Gang Quarters, suitable for lecturing and some lab activities, and a wet lab with running seawater system. Courses may or may not involve SCUBA according to the instructor's needs. Accommodations will be in Pigeon Key's newly-restored dormitory. Instructors will receive an honorarium, travel allowance, room and meals (room also provided for Friday, 14 Aug. to allow instructors set-up time). A budget for photocopying and expendable supplies will be provided. Prospective instructors should provide the following in their application package: 1) letter of interest including a brief course description and whether SCUBA will be used 2) draft syllabus (courses begin with dinner on Saturday and end with breakfast the following Saturday) 3) a draft list of necessary equipment, expendable supplies, estimated photocopying needs (pages per student) and field sites (generic or specific) to be visited 4) any special or unusual needs 5) Curriculum Vitae Deadline for proposals - 21 November, 1997 Notification of selected courses - 28 November, 1997 Course announcement for students - 5 December, 1997 Send proposals and direct inquiries to: <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Erich Mueller, Ph.D., Director Phone: (305) 289-4282 Mote Marine Laboratory FAX: (305) 289-9664 Pigeon Key Marine Research Center Email: emueller at mote.org P.O. Box 500895 Marathon, FL 33050 Web pages: http://www.mote.org/~emueller/pkmrc.html http://www.mote.org Remarks are personal opinion and do not reflect institutional policy unless so indicated. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From osha at pobox.com Sun Nov 2 11:05:55 1997 From: osha at pobox.com (Osha Gray Davidson) Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 10:05:55 -0600 Subject: Call for photographs Message-ID: <2.2.32.19971102160555.006b6c0c@soli.inav.net> Request for photographs: For a trade book on coral reefs and associated ecosystem (to be published by John Wiley & Sons, April 1998) I'm looking for high-quality color photographs. Unfortunately, I can't offer much for each picture used ($10 US). But if it's any help, photo credits will, of course, appear with each picture. (Donated pictures are gratefully accepted!) I still need photos of the following: * General underwater photo of a coral reef showing the large diversity of creatures. * Hard coral (preferably an acroporid) with polyps prominently displayed. * The "act" of blast fishing itself (as opposed to the results). * Corals spawning, with gametes prominently shown. * Bleached corals. * Series showing sex/color change of female-to-male wrasse (initial to terminal phases). * Clown fish within anemone. * Batesian mimicry--comet fish (Calloplesiops altivelis) and model moray eel (Gymnothorax meleagris). * Magnified coral tentacles showing zoox. * Crinoids. * Sea fans. * Diadema antillarum. * Blue bell tunicates or similar species (i.e., colorful). * Butterfly fish with prominent false eye-spot. * Overhead shot of sediment plume from river. * Green sea turtle "hatchling frenzy". Please let me know what you have before sending slides or negatives. All photos will be returned. Thanks, in advance, for any help. Cheers, Osha Osha Gray Davidson 14 S. Governor St. Iowa City, IA 52240 USA +++++++++++ PH: (319) 338-4778 FAX: (319) 338-8606 e-mail: osha at pobox.com Scholar Associate, International Programs, University of Iowa From tsocci at usgcrp.gov Mon Nov 3 10:41:20 1997 From: tsocci at usgcrp.gov (Tony Socci) Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 10:41:20 -0500 Subject: November 5th USGCRP Seminar: "Global Warming and the Earth's Water Cycle: What Do the Changes Mean and Why be Concerned?" PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE. Message-ID: U.S. Global Change Research Program Seminar Series Global Warming and the Earth's Water Cycle: What Do the Changes Mean and Why be Concerned? What is the Earth's water (hydrologic) cycle? Why is it important? How has the Earth's hydrologic cycle changed? What is the evidence for these observed changes? Are these changes natural or the result of the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Are these changes consistent with what climate models have predicted? What are the immediate and long-term social and economic consequences of such changes? Are we presently witnessing such consequences? Public Invited Wednesday, November 5, 1997, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Rayburn House Office Bldg., Room B369, Washington, DC Reception Following INTRODUCTION Dr. Elbert (Joe) W. Friday, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD SPEAKER Thomas R. Karl, Senior Scientist, National Climate Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Asheville, NC OVERVIEW The presence and availability of water is largely what makes the Earth uniquely able to support life. Not only is water essential for life, but its presence in the atmosphere significantly amplifies the greenhouse effect. Its abundance in the oceans moderates the seasonal swing in temperatures, and its distribution over the land determines the presence and geographic extent of forests and deserts and occasionally brings floods or drought. The Earth's water (hydrologic) cycle controls the distribution of water, most importantly evaporating and distilling salt water to create the fresh water that sustains life on land. While humans often act to beneficially control and/or correct local and even regional aspects of the water cycle such as runoff and soil moisture, the inadvertent alteration of this global hydrologic cycle by human activities will have many direct and indirect influences that significantly impact society, the environment, and ecosystems upon which our own lives and well-being depend. Global Warming and the Earth's Water Cycle Increases in anthropogenic greenhouse gases resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and the deforestation of forests have altered the composition of the atmosphere, resulting in an increase in the amount of heat energy trapped at or near the Earth's surface. This enhancement of the greenhouse effect is increasing surface temperatures while provoking other changes in climate as well. Both model results and observational evidence indicate that roughly 80% of the net additional heat energy trapped at the Earth's surface by the build-up of greenhouse gases is transferred back to the atmosphere through increased evaporation of water from the land and ocean, where condensation returns the additional heat to the atmosphere causing warming, while enhancing precipitation. The remaining 20% of the net additional heat from the enhanced greenhouse effect contributes directly to warming of the surface and the lower atmosphere. Both contributions lead to a general warming of the Earth's climate and to an increase in the water vapor in the atmosphere (warming increases the atmosphere's water-holding capacity), thereby further enhancing the greenhouse effect. Thus, the trapped heat energy serves to accelerate the cycling of water (as water vapor) from the surface to the atmosphere, and enhances the transfer of the water vapor back to the surface as rain and snow (condensation and precipitation). The increased availability of water vapor in the atmosphere also leads to a significant increase in the energy available to drive storms and associated weather fronts, therefore affecting rainfall rates, precipitation amounts, storm intensity, and related runoff. The Observational Record of Changes Resulting from the Greenhouse-Enhanced Hydrologic Cycle There is compelling observational evidence that the Earth's hydrologic cycle has intensified during the past century as global temperatures have increased. These results are consistent with climate model projections of global warming resulting from the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. In general, the observed changes in the Earth's hydrologic cycle suggest that focusing attention mainly on the temperature effects of increased greenhouse gases (i.e., global and regional increases in the Earth's surface temperature) provides an incomplete and, in some instances, inadequate portrayal of the importance of climate change. This is so because the evidence indicates that widespread increases in the intensity of the hydrologic cycle may have more immediate and far-reaching ecological and socio-economic impacts than those due to elevated temperature alone. The observational evidence for an intensifying hydrologic cycle includes: A reduction in the day/night temperature range over land. Nighttime temperatures have increased at almost twice the rate of daytime temperatures since 1950 (roughly 0.9 degrees C versus 0.5 degrees C) suggesting the influence of increased evaporative cooling during the daytime (not unlike how body heat evaporates rubbing alcohol from one's skin, leaving one's body somewhat cooled in the process). Rising nighttime temperatures exacerbate heat waves and reduce the beneficial effects of frost in killing pests. An increase in atmospheric water vapor. It is this change that enables storms to generate more precipitation and it greatly amplifies the warming influence of greenhouse gases. Precipitation amounts have increased in the mid and high latitudes, often in excess of 10% since the turn of the century. This is especially important because once soils become saturated, seemingly small increases in rainfall can cause large increases in runoff, often resulting in floods. The observed increase in precipitation has been due in large part to a disproportionate increase in heavy and extreme precipitation rates, as projected by climate models used to calculate the effects of an enhanced greenhouse effect. An increase in Northern Hemisphere storm intensity (outside of the tropics) has been observed over the past few decades. This increases the hazard risk along shorelines, especially as coastal populations continue to increase. In summary, many hydrologic indicators point to the conclusion that temperatures are rising and the climate is changing. Changes in the hydrologic cycle are also likely to have immediate impacts. Biography Thomas R. Karl is the senior scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Tom has been engaged for many years in assembling and analyzing long-term research of the climate and weather conditions (i.e., rainfall and temperature) and in using these data sets to test the validity of climate model projections. Tom is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society and chairman of the National Research Council's Climate Research Committee. He is also an editor for the Journal of Climate and an associate editor for Climatic Change. He has been a lead author on each of the Intergovernmental Panel Assessments of Climate Change (IPCC) since 1990. He has also authored over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles, been co-author or co-editor on numerous texts, and has published over 200 technical reports and atlases. He has often been called upon by Congress and the White House to testify on and explain matters related to climate variability and change. Tom is currently the co-chair of NOAA's Decadal-to-Centennial Strategic Planning Team. During his tenure at the NCDC, Tom has received numerous awards for his work on climate including the Helmut Landsberg Award, the Climate Institute's Outstanding Scientific Achievements Award, the Department of Commerce's Bronze and Gold Medals, and the NOAA Administrator's Award. Tom holds a Masters Degree in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin. The Next Seminar is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 1997 Planned Topic: Observed Climate Change in Alaska: Is This the Way Climate Change Will Occur? For more information please contact: Anthony D. Socci, Ph.D., U.S. Global Change Research Program Office, 400 Virginia Ave. SW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20024; Telephone: (202) 314-2235; Fax: (202) 488-8681 E-Mail: TSOCCI at USGCRP.GOV. Additional information on the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and this Seminar Series is available on the USGCRP Home Page at: http://www.usgcrp.gov. Normally these seminars are held on the second Monday of each month. From sjl3 at acpub.duke.edu Thu Nov 6 15:56:42 1997 From: sjl3 at acpub.duke.edu (Sean Lyman) Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 15:56:42 -0500 (EST) Subject: field sites Message-ID: Hello Coral Listers-- I am writing to seek guidance as to appropriate field sites for a dissertation project that I'm planning. First, please allow me to introduce myself--my name is Sean Lyman, and I'm working at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, USA. The project I'm planning is a first cut at evaluating whether marine protected areas (MPAs) really do enhance surrounding fisheries given enough time. The literature I've seen has been equivocal, and most (if not all) evaluative projects were based on fishery landing data. I'd like to take a different tack and take a shot at measuring larval export out of protected areas. The way I plan to do this is a two-component project. The first is a suite of larval traps (like those in Doherty's work) strategically positioned to measure larval import and export. The second is a basic life-history analysis, determining age and size structure of fish populations as well as growth rates and age at first reproduction. I plan to look at a well-protected area, an exploited area, and an area somewhere in between. Alternatively, I could use three reserves of varying age. I believe that the combination of these two methods becomes a powerful test of the larval export hypothesis. For this experiment to be successful, however, I need to be clever about choosing both target species and field sites. To make the larval trap component work effectively, I need to find a site in an area of known and simple flow regime. This area also needs to have sites with the three levels of protection I mentioned above. I write to seek the advice of those who may know of good locations to do this research. I'm considering the Florida Keys, but I'm open to consideration of any coral reef sites, though preferably in the Atlantic. I'm also beginning to think about target species so if you can offer advice on this I would also be appreciative. Finally, I would like to invite anyone working on similar problems or interested in this sort of project to contact me as discussions could only prove helpful. Thank you for your time, and I apologize for the lenth of this message. Cheers, Sean ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sean J. Lyman Duke University Marine Laboratory sjl3 at acpub.duke.edu 135 Duke Marine Lab Road sean.lyman at duke.edu Beaufort, NC 28516 USA Phone: (919) 504-7565 Fax: (919) 504-7648 From sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com Fri Nov 7 20:26:42 1997 From: sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com (sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com) Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997 20:26:42 -0500 Subject: Cyanide Fishing in the Caribbean??? Message-ID: I received a request for information on cyanide-fishing in the Caribbean from the World Bank. I indicated that this was not a serious problem in the Caribbean, especially compared to the more serious problems of over-fishing. However, they are still interested in signs of cyanide fishing in the Caribbean. Was I correct that this is not a major problem in the region? Does anyone have any information on this? Thanks! Jack Sobel From nano at doitnow.com Mon Nov 10 00:26:35 1997 From: nano at doitnow.com (Nancy Osborne) Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 21:26:35 -0800 Subject: tourism impacts on coral reefs Message-ID: <01bced99$3644f7c0$499d62cf@nano> I am interested in the relationship between tourism and coral reef health. Does anyone know how much of the damage inflicted on coral reefs is due to tourism? Of this percentage, how much damage is caused by divers being in direct contact with the reef (excluding anchor damage)? Any information or leads to finding this information would be appreciated. Cheers, Nancy Osborne From van_treeck at uni-essen.de Mon Nov 10 12:36:04 1997 From: van_treeck at uni-essen.de (Peter van Treeck) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 09:36:04 -0800 Subject: whale sharks Message-ID: <34674604.4E85@uni-essen.de> Dear listers, During my underwater work in the Red Sea several times a couple of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus)came near observing us. I am quite sure that these sharks communicate by deep sounds. Is that commonly known? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Pit -- Peter van Treeck, SUB-marine Institute for Ecology/ Dept. Hydrobiology Phone: 0049 201 183 3112 University of Essen, 45117 Germany fax: 0049 201 183 2529 From cnidaria at earthlink.net Mon Nov 10 07:42:19 1997 From: cnidaria at earthlink.net (James M. Cervino) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 04:42:19 -0800 (PST) Subject: Coral Disease Seminar Message-ID: Dear Listers, Coral Epizootic Seminar: Main focus on Rapid Wasting Disease and Yellow Band. Distribution, transect data,microbiology and histology will be presented. Held at Boston University, in Boston. All of the coral diseases will be mentioned and shown on video and slides. If anyone is interested, please e-mail cnidaria at earthlink.net or amatthew at bu.edu. ********************************** James M. Cervino Marine Biologist Global Coral Reef Alliance 124-19 9th ave College Point New York, NY 11356. *********************************** From horta at servidor.unam.mx Mon Nov 10 10:18:26 1997 From: horta at servidor.unam.mx (Guillermo Horta-Puga) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 09:18:26 -0600 Subject: Requesting Information Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971110091826.006865d4@servidor.unam.mx> To All Coral Reef Community Apologies for cross-postings The Veracruz Reef System (VRS) constituted by more than 20 single reefs, is situated off the port and city of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its unique location in front of one of the largest cities in the Western Gulf of Mexico, VRS has been subjected to many threats from chemical pollution to overfishing and so on. As you probably may know, Veracruz was founded by the spanishman conquerer of Mexico, Hernan Cortes in 1519, and soon becomes the most important via of communication between the colony of New Spain and Europe. The city began an era of increased development by early 17th century, which demands the construction of solid public buildings and houses in order to resist the hard weather of the region, and even pirate attacks. As there was no appropiate rock materials in the vicinity of the city, men used hard corals (scleractinians) as constructional blocks, which were named "Piedra de Mucar". The downtown, the wall and some fortresses that surrounded the city by the 18th and 19th centuries, were build with piedra de mucar obtained from the nearby reefs of the VRS. Thousand of tons of coral rock were collected, for example in the beginning of this century ca. 46000 cubic meters of coral rock were extracted from the bottom of the Veracruz Bay by dredge vessels and were used to landfill part of the actual dock area. The mexican historian Lerdo de Tejada pointed out in the middle of the 18th century that -!!!almost 1106 buildings and houses were made with piedra the mucar and that a great quantity of corals also were pulverized to be used as mortar!!!-. The impact of building activities was enormous for the VRS and included the partial destruction of the Gallega, Hornos and Caleta reefs. In the present I and some colleagues are preparing a manuscript that resume the information obtained from ancient maps, old navigation charts and reports of construction, in order to evaluate, as long as possible, the impact on the VRS and the change of reef morphology in the lasts five centuries. Veracruz has been a very important port, and several dozens of maps and/or navigation charts that included the morphology and position of the reefs are available, and more or less give us an idea of the change. We know that corals have been also used in other world areas as construction blocks, some examples are: Some public buildings in the downtown of La Habana, Cuba; the main piramid of the Tulum complex in the Mexican Caribbean; and some islands in the Indopacific area. We need all the information about this topic, so your kindly help will be appreciated. Do you know about some other areas at which corals were used for construction? Would you like to pointed me out about some literature regarding this topic? Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information about the environmental status of the VRS and any other information on the VRS. Please answer directly to me. Guillermo Horta-Puga M. EN C. GUILLERMO HORTA-PUGA INVEMAR, LAB. METROLOGIA, UBIPRO, IZTACALA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE MEXICO AP 314, TLALNEPANTLA, MEXICO 54000 TEL: +(52-5) 6231219, 6231212 FAX: +(52-5) 6231212 E-MAIL: horta at servidor.unam.mx From andreas at cc2000.kyoto-su.ac.jp Wed Nov 5 02:58:01 1997 From: andreas at cc2000.kyoto-su.ac.jp (Andreas Knobel) Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 23:58:01 -0800 Subject: COP3 in Kyoto : -20% campaign References: Message-ID: <34602709.2D0A@cc.kyoto-su.ac.jp> The Kyoto Group of 21 together with Kiko Forum and the Japan Environmental Exchange have organised a postcard campaign in support of a 20% percent reduction in CO2 emissions from 1990 levels by 2005. The postcards will be presented to the conference on 30 November by 21 young people of 21 different ages and from 21 different countries. Please support this campaign! Visit our site http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/s-world/cop3 Thank you. Andreas Knobel Japan Environmental Exchange From estherb at orcinus.wcmc.org.uk Thu Nov 6 11:49:52 1997 From: estherb at orcinus.wcmc.org.uk (Esther Byford) Date: Thu, 06 Nov 1997 16:49:52 +0000 Subject: Coral Reefs and Mangroves on the Web by WCMC Message-ID: An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: not available Url: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19971106/1379da2c/attachment.pl From Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov Mon Nov 10 11:44:12 1997 From: Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov (Griffis, Roger B) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 97 11:44:12 EST Subject: Senior Ecologist Seminar Series (Nov 18, Washington D.C.) Message-ID: SENIOR ECOLOGIST SEMINAR SERIES The Ecological Society of America, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Smithsonian Institution, and Environmental Protection Agency invite you to attend Multiple Stressors on Floridian Coral Reefs: Lessons for a Sustainable Future Presented by James W. Porter, Ph.D., University of Georgia Tuesday, November 18, 1997 4:00-5:30 pm Carmichael Auditorium American History Museum Constitution Avenue between 12 & 14 Streets NW Four blocks from Metro Center Background: In response to growing threats to coral reefs around the world, 1997 has been declared the International Year of the Reef. One of the biggest dangers to coral reefs is disease. New data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Coral Reef Monitoring Program in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary shows a significant increase in coral disease infection. In fact, reports shows that the incidence of disease has increased by 276% from 1996 to 1997 and that the number of species affected with disease has increased by 211% in the same time span. Co-principal investigator on the Florida Keys project, ecologist James Porter, will present an overview of the current scientific understanding of disease in coral reefs. Starting with data on the general conditions required for optimal coral growth, Porter will discuss modifications to the South Florida hydroscape in relationship to their potential harm to coral reefs in the Florida Keys. Contrasting the effects of natural (Hurricane Allen) versus anthropogenic disturbances (construction of the Flaggler Railroad) in the watershed, his talk will explore the effects of multiple stressors on coral physiology and ecology. Porter will also present data on the alarming spread of new, virulent coral diseases. ********************************* No RSVP necessary. For more information please contact Rhonda Kranz by email at rhonda at esa.org or by phone at (202) 833-8773. From pascal.collotte at yale.edu Mon Nov 10 14:48:41 1997 From: pascal.collotte at yale.edu (Pascal Collotte) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 11:48:41 -0800 Subject: Risk Assessment Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971110114841.006c474c@pdc6.mail.yale.edu> Hi coral-listers, I am interested in conducting a risk assessment study on the effect of destructive fishing in reef environments. I would appreciate any reference, information and DATA on the subject. If any one knows about published work on the subject, that would be of great help as well. Thanks for your cooperation, Pascal Collotte From cnidaria at earthlink.net Mon Nov 10 12:46:40 1997 From: cnidaria at earthlink.net (James M. Cervino) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 09:46:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Seminar on diseases Message-ID: Coral Disease Seminar........Boston University, Tuesday 11th, 1:00 pm, Sorry about not posting sooner! ********************************** James M. Cervino Marine Biologist Global Coral Reef Alliance 124-19 9th ave College Point New York, NY 11356. *********************************** From Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov Mon Nov 10 16:46:30 1997 From: Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov (Griffis, Roger B) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 97 16:46:30 EST Subject: Anyone have a short summary of IYOR? Message-ID: Anyone have a short summary of 1997 International Year of the Reef events, participants, and/or activties? I have several interested parties wanting to report on how the Year went. Thanks for your suggestions. email: roger.b.griffis at noaa.gov From cnidaria at earthlink.net Mon Nov 10 18:30:35 1997 From: cnidaria at earthlink.net (James M. Cervino) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:30:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: No subject Message-ID: TO THE CORAL LISTERS INTERESTED IN RAPID WASTING DISEASE AND PARROT FISH PREDATION JAMES M CERVINO, GLOBAL CORAL REEF ALLIANCE . We just received a message from a colleague who is tracking coral bleaching and diseases in Belize. A substantial presence of Parrot fish was evident from photographs and video that were taken. Colonies of Montastraea and Colpophyllia natans, did not show lesions representing RWD. We are looking forward to meeting and collaborating with Dr. E. Weil, Drs. Burt & Lucy Williams and Andrew and Robin Bruckner of the University of Puerto Rico during December 97. Coral epizootics are on the rise in the recent decade, only to be confronted by a very small detected community of marine scientists. Only working together can we serve as a catalyst in understanding the devastating behavior and biology of these diseases. Only working together in the field and sharing the histology and microbiology data can we determine the differences between RWD and Parrot fish predation on reef building corals. RESPONSE TO POSTING: "Unlikely a microorganism could modify the pH and maintain an acidity capable of dissolving calcium carbonate in sea water at such a rapid rate" ANSWER: Fungi can secrete a wide variety of enzymes which degrade organic materials, especially complex carbohydrates, into smaller molecules that are readily absorbed as nutrients. Let's keep in mind that fungi move through granitic rock, which is composed of felsic igneous and metamorphic rock. Most fungi thrive at temperatures ranging from 20C to 35C, the pH at which fungi can grow varies widely, ranging from as low as 2.1 to as high as 9.6. Example of a fungus (not the same species as RWD) producing a low pH and eroding calcium carbonate: Aspirgillosis seafan disease. TEMPERATURE AND RWD: From this year's data analysis of RWD, I have seen an increase in the spreading behavior of the pathogen during higher sea surface temperatures, this correlation between temperature and RWD must be investigated! A recent query for emergency funds has been brought forth to NOAA for emergency funding. MICROBIOLOGY: conducted by Dr. Garriet Smith of University of South Carolina. We have learned that this pathogen is fastidious and was difficult to grow on media. However, we are confident in the pathogen being fungal of origin. Much more work is needed for the identification of this pathogen. HISTOLOGY: conducted by Dr. Ray Hayes of Howard University Views of the coral tissue show the close association of the mycelium with the epidermis. The fungal hyphae extend through the mucus and even in between the epithelial cells. The epidermis itself shows disruption of integrity as a sheet. The mucus released from mucoscytes does not consolidate into a cohesive layer over the epithelium, and in places the mucous layer is thin or absent. The mesoglea appears intact, but cells of the gastrodermis are floating around in mucus, indicating the separation of these cells from the epithelium and the complete disruption of the tissues of the coral in places. This exposes the skeleton to the fungus or its by-products. WHY NOT PARROT FISH? The septa-costae are eroded down to the paliform lobes just above the coenosteum. There is no breakage of the direction within the radial elements of the coralite, which would be evident if there were gouges from teeth marks. The matrix is just eroded, not broken .We understand the damage Parrot fish can inflict on reef building corals in the Caribbean, however, we are seeing two different phenomenon. These two different hypothesis must be compared and understood. The intense investigation of RWD has just started in late January 97. Our detected team of researchers have been working countless hours in trying to put fourth the data results for the scientific community to see. I know there are unanswered questions regarding RWD and other coral reef epizootics, however funding for RWD and Yellow Band out side of US waters is zero, immediate help is needed. We will be in Bonaire during Thanksgiving for data collection. All funds are provided for from teaching salaries, and with the help of Kalli DeMeyer of the Bonaire Marine Park and Ginger Garrison of the USGS in St. John. We would also like to thank Bob Shinners of Low Key Watersports of St. John for assisting us in SCUBA and location of RWD and other epizootics, and the DIVE ASSOCIATION in Grenada. I would also like to thank; Dr. Esther Peters, and Dr. Laurie Richardson for the collaboration and feedback of coral epizootics in the field today. ********************************** James M. Cervino Marine Biologist Global Coral Reef Alliance 124-19 9th ave College Point New York, NY 11356. *********************************** From PFH at hq.iucn.org Tue Nov 11 10:35:50 1997 From: PFH at hq.iucn.org (HOLTHUS Paul) Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 16:35:50 +0100 Subject: Carbon Sequestration in Coral Reefs and Mangroves Message-ID: Coral Listers: The Marine and Coastal Programme of the IUCN Meso-America Office is seeking a few recent summary documents on: Carbon Sequestration in Coral Reefs and Mangroves If anyone has relevant documents or references, we would be pleased if you could forward these to: Mr Nestor Windevoxhel IUCN Regional Office for Meso-America Apartado Postal 0146-2150 San Jose, Costa Rica tel 506 236 2733 fax 506 240 9934 e-mail nwindevo at uicn.icr.co.cr Thank you for your assistance Paul Holthus Paul Holthus Mairne and Coastal Programme email: pfh at hq.iucn.org IUCN-The World Conservation Union phone: 41 22 999-0251 28 rue Mauverney fax: 41 22 999-0025 CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland From Ernesto_J_QUINTERO at umail.umd.edu Wed Nov 12 21:52:00 1997 From: Ernesto_J_QUINTERO at umail.umd.edu (eq1) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 97 21:52 EST Subject: More comments on RWD Message-ID: <199711130252.VAA13636@umailsrv0.umd.edu> Fellow coral-listers: I have been following the RWD debate for some time now and as a marine microbiologist, I would like to make some comments on a couple of items on this issue. Microbes can degrade/dissolve mineral surfaces (metals, rocks, etc.) by several different mechanisms. Microbial induced corrosion is a topic that has been (and still is) subject to a great amount of research. Bacterially-mediated solubilization of minerals has been used by the mining industry for decades for precious metal recovery and is also a source of "natural" heavy metal pollution in abandoned mining sites.All these processes have 2 things in common: they occur over an extended period of time (weeks to months), they are usually localized to small areas (mm in diameter). This also appears to be the case for the example cited recently concerning the ectomycorrhizal fungi hyphae penetrating granitic rock (See Rock-eating fungi, Nature, Oct. 1997, 389:682-683) as a possible mechanism for coral matrix degradation in RWD. It was cited in this paper that "hyphal tips producing millimolar concentrations of organic acids could dissolve calcium-rich plagioclase feldspars to form pores at rates of 0.3-30 micrometers/year". This process is too slow to account for the rapid degradation of the coral skeleton observed in RWD cases (inches/day); it would need to be several orders of magnitude more efficient to cause such injuries. The putative fungal pathogen responsible for RWD would have to be using a different, yet to be described, mechanism to dissolve the calcium carbonate in corals. It was mentioned in a recent posting that the coral matrix in RWD wounds was "eroded, not broken". Did the microscopic examination of the matrix reveal any pores and/or fungal hyphae penetrating the matrix? The suspected etiologic agent of RWD must fulfill Koch's postulates (or a modified subset of them if the causative agent cannot be grown in pure culture) in order for it to be recognized as the causative agent of the disease: 1. The organism should be present in all animals suffering from the disease and absent from all healthy animals. 2. The organism must be grown in pure culture outside the diseased animal host (not always possible in the case of pathogens with complex lifecycles, viruses and nonculturable bacteria) 3. When such a culture is inoculated into a healthy susceptible host, the animal must develop the symptoms of the disease. 4. The organism must be reisolated from the experimentally infected animal and shown to be identical to the original isolate. All 4 postulates were fulfilled in the recognition of Vibrio AK-1 infection as the causative agent of bleaching of the Mediterranean coral Oculina patagonica (Kushmaro et al. 1997. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 147:159-165), and a modified subset of them met in the recognition of a bacterial pathogen as being responsible for coralline lethal orange disease (CLOD) of crustose coralline algae (Littler & Littler, 1995. Science 267:1356-1359). If the putative fungal pathogen responsible for RWD is proving to be a fastidious organism, does the transfer of a plug/core from a site of RWD infection to a healthy coral result in infection of the new subject? Does the addition of antimycotic agents to microcosms containing infected individuals stop the progress of the infection? It would be interesting to PCR-amplify (with fungi-specific primers) the nuclear 18S, 5.8S and/or internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) of the fungi found in RWD wounds to: a) Sequence and obtain information on the molecular phylogeny of the microorganism, b) obtain an RFLP fingerprint or unique DNA sequences suitable for probe design to ascertain if the same putative etiologic agent is found in RWD material collected from different specimens/locations. My intention in posting the above comments is to contribute to the scientific discussion on this topic, and should not be construed as a personal affront or meant to impugn the opinion or research of other groups. I would appreciate immensely if somebody could please point me to a published reference on Aspergillus infection of sea fans. Thanks in advance... Ernesto J. Quintero, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist Oceanix Biosciences Corp. Hanover, MD 21076 Email: eq1 at umail.umd.edu From coral at aoml.noaa.gov Thu Nov 13 08:38:35 1997 From: coral at aoml.noaa.gov (Coral Health and Monitoring Program) Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 08:38:35 -0500 (EST) Subject: Junk Mail Message-ID: Dear Coral-Listers, I consider the recent posting by Dr. R. Westerfield and/or Professor Harold Rogers via "crw at loop.com", regarding the "Ghana Distance Learning Conference" to be totally counter to the content and intent of this listserver. These types of messages, sent as mass, unsolicited junk email, will not be tolerated (as much as I can help it), and I will do everything I can to see that the perpetrators are removed from coral-list. I wish I could do more, but I'm leaving it up to my Congressmen, whom I hope will vote to disapprove of junk email being sent to U.S. Government computers. As far as I can tell, some or all of the following are responsible for this latest transgression: Professor Harold Rogers President, AASP Chicago, IL 60603 Ph: 312-443-0929; 773-684-7309; FAX: 773-684-6967 --- crw at loop.com --- AASP at Juno.Com --- AfricanEduTravel at Yahoo.Com --- darkwa at tigger.cc.uic.edu --- It wouldn't bother me in the least if you voiced your dissastisfaction to them--I did. Sorry for the inconvenience. Cheers, JCH From avm100 at york.ac.uk Thu Nov 13 14:33:42 1997 From: avm100 at york.ac.uk (University of York Biology) Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 19:33:42 GMT Subject: Rapid Assesment Message-ID: Dear All, We are currently involved in a project which is comparing the Cost Effectiveness of different Rapid Assesment Methods of coral reef cover. Specifically we are comparing the sample size and hence the cost both in terms of time and of funding required to detect different changes in coral cover. Our report will also include a description of the different rapid surveying techniques that we have assesssed. The methods that we are currently including are: 1. AIMS/GBRPA Manta Tow 2. Standardised visual inspection of 7x7m quadrats (as used at TMRU, York) 3. 1x1m photoquadrats analysed for larger corals (>15cm. diam) and by growth / life-form only 4. 5x5m photoquadrats analysed for larger corals (>15cm. diam) and by growth / life-form only 5. 1 metre wide video transects photoquadrats analysed for larger corals (>15cm. diam) and by growth / life-form only We would very much welcome any other suggestions as to methods which we should include, whether peoples pet methods, or more widely used ones that we have overlooked. May I suggest you reply to me directly at the following e-mail, and I will distribute a summary of responses on the the coral list in due course. Thanking everyone for their assistance, Annalie Morris University of York England e-mail avm100 at york.ac.uk From lambrecc at ucsu.colorado.edu Thu Nov 13 14:23:58 1997 From: lambrecc at ucsu.colorado.edu (LAMBRECHT CHRISTOPHER JAMES) Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 12:23:58 -0700 (MST) Subject: Coral reef research opportunities for a budding scientist. Message-ID: My name is christopher Lambrecht ans I am a gaduationg senior from the University of Colorado @ Boulder. My studies have focused on marine ecology, organism biology, and environmental studies. I have spent my time at CU indepently researching topics such as beharioral efference in cichlid fish, distribution of marine viruses with depth and plankton abundance, copepod patchiness in lake systems, and most recently anthropogenic stresses on La Ceiba reef in Mexico. i want to contribute to the thorough understanding and effective preservation of the world's diminishing reefs. In a month I am leaving for a eight week indepentdent research project onm a heavily used and abused reef system in Mexico. After this project is complete I am hoping to secure an internship or assistant research position. PLEASE reply to this message if you can help me in ANY way. My email address is lambrecc at ucsu.colorado.edu, and my phone number is 303-440-1052. Please help a budding reef ecologist to contribute to such a growing, and much needed field. Thank you. From sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com Thu Nov 13 20:13:45 1997 From: sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com (sobelj%dccmc at cenmarine.com) Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 20:13:45 -0500 Subject: Summary on Caribbean Cyanide Fishing In-Reply-To: <86656A3401BD2576@smtp.cenmarine.com> Message-ID: Below is a copy of a question I posted on the list-serve for information on Cyanide-fishing in the Caribbean and a summary of about a dozen responses I received . I'm posting the summary in response to several requests I received to share this information. Thanks to all who responded with input. Jack Sobel, Center for Marine Conservation. At 08:26 PM 11/7/97 -0500, I wrote: >I received a request for information on cyanide-fishing in the Caribbean >from the World Bank. I indicated that this was not a serious problem in >the Caribbean, especially compared to the more serious problems of >over-fishing. However, they are still interested in signs of cyanide >fishing in the Caribbean. Was I correct that this is not a major problem >in the region? Does anyone have any information on this? Thanks! Jack >Sobel > > 1. I am not aware of any cyanide-fishing in PR. We do have a serious over-fishing problem. Also, we have many tropical fish collectors operating with no rules or regulations (mostly quineldine as far as I know). I cannot seem to get DNER interested in this problem, even tho we advise them. There is some use of chlorox on the reefs in holes to drive octopus out of hiding. I hope this is of use. Bert Ernest H. Williams, Jr. Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico P.O. Box 908 Lajas, PR 00667-0908 phone (787) 899-2048 x 264 FAX 787-899-2630 home phone (787) 892-1746 2. Jack, I have never heard of cyanide fishing in the Caribbean. Collectors use quinaldinene for the collection of tropicals. I heard of some use of bleach. Hope this helps, billy causey 3. You are right that it is not a serious problem, especially compared with the Pacific. Nonetheless, there are occasional reports. I assume you have checked reefbase on this. If not, I think the latest version has a map which shows all areas that have been cyanided. Hope this is useful. Best, Stephen Colwell 4. Dear Jack - I can only speak for the British Virgin Islands, but our situation there is that no cyanide fishing has been observed at all. There has bee a small amount of trouble with bleach fishing, esp. for lobsters. Yours, Annalie Morris 5. As far as I am aware, cyanide fishing is not an issue in Puerto Rico. There is, however, evidence of quinaldine use by some ornamental fish collectors. If anyone has indications of cyanide use, I would appreciate it if they would share it with me! --Craig ************************************************** Craig G. Lilyestrom, Ph.D. Chief, Fisheries Division Department of Natural and Environmental Resources P.O. Box 9066600 Puerta de Tierra, P.R. 00906-6600 (787) 725-8619, FAX: 723-2805 *************************************************** 6. Out of 50 Caribbean sites surveyed for Reef Check 2 reports of poison fishing were given. One for Columbia and one for Florida. Our sites were biased with about 20 from Florida Keys so they are not representative of what may be happening elsewhere. However, cyanide is used to catch live fish to market in Asia -- thus there may be a marketing problem with unfamiliar fish, not to mention distance (cost) for export, that could be an impediment to Chinese buyers working the Caribbean. For more info on Reef Check see the URL. In return for this info, pls send me anything you find on commercial harvest of sea cucumbers in the Caribbean. I have not been able to find anything. Regards, -- Gregor Hodgson, PhD Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development Research Centre, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, HONG KONG e-mail: rcgregor at usthk.ust.hk tel: (852) 2358-8568 fax: (852) 2358-1582 Reef Check: http://www.ust.hk/~webrc/ReefCheck/reef.html 7. Jack, I have never heard of a serious cyanide problem anywhere in the islands. I once heard a rumor of this going on in Belize, but unsubstantiated. Jack Carter might know. Les Kaufman Boston University Marine Program Department of Biology Boston University 5 Cummington Street Boston, MA 02215 e-mail: lesk at bio.bu.edu phone: 617-353-5560 fax: 617-353-6340 8. Hi Jack, That's my perception. Cheers. John C. Ogden Director Phone: 813/553-1100 Florida Institute of Oceanography Fax: 813/553-1109 830 First Street South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 9. Jack, I am not aware that it is a problem, but I suggest you contact Jim Bohnsack or other colleagues in the fish game. The current meeting of GCFI in Merida would be the place to find out? Hope you are there. Bob Robert N. Ginsburg, Professor of Marine Geology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami. Mail: University of Miami, RSMAS-MGG, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149 Phone: (305) 361-4875 FAX: (305) 361-4094 rginsburg at rsmas.miami.edu 10. Jack: I've been studying reef problems in the Caribbean for several years now, and have never yet encountered a case of cyanide fishing. Just about everything else.... but not cyanide. You were correct in your statements to the WB. Cheers, Joe Dougherty OCEAN Initiative UC Berkeley Dept. Geography 11. Hi Jack, Ocean Voice International has been working on alternatives to cyanide collection of ornamental fishes since 1989 in the Philippines and kept our ears open about its use elsewhere. We have never had any solid evidence of its use in the Caribbean. Evidence of its use in southeast Asia, on the other hand is soundly based, e.g. Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, etc. don -- Don E. McAllister /& Canadian Centre for Biodiversity Ocean Voice International /Canadian Museum of Nature Box 37026, 3332 McCarthy Rd. /Box 3443, Station D Ottawa, ON K1V 0W0, Canada /Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4 URL: http://www.ovi.ca E-mail: mcall at superaje.com (or: ah194 at freenet.carleton.ca) Tel: (613) 264-8986, Fax: (613) 264-9204 12. Sorry, I don't have the information you're looking for, but would be very interested in the responses you get. Could you forward them, please? Thanks, Osha Osha Gray Davidson 14 S. Governor St. Iowa City, IA 52240 USA +++++++++++ PH: (319) 338-4778 FAX: (319) 338-8606 e-mail: osha at pobox.com Scholar Associate, International Programs, University of Iowa From albert at athiel.com Thu Nov 13 22:32:49 1997 From: albert at athiel.com (Albert Thiel) Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 22:32:49 -0500 Subject: http://www.athiel.com Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.19971113223249.00d2b100@pop3.athiel.com> The web site has been updated for 11/14 Added: final results of Reef Temp survey (all responses received up to 20.00 11/13) Added: Update 50 on the Clown Trigger and how he is being treated for Velvet disease and what appears to work when fish have this very hard to cure disease. The actual beginning of the disease part is Update 37 and onwards Added: Part III of Adding Animals to the Tank to the NetClub Library. Early update for tomorrow as I will be out in the AM. Albert From korrubelj at math.unp.ac.za Fri Nov 14 02:03:37 1997 From: korrubelj at math.unp.ac.za (Jan Korrubel) Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 09:03:37 +0200 Subject: Virus (non-coral!) warning - Reply Message-ID: Caricomp - Invemar Colombia forwarded the following burble from the MANGROVE list to the CORAL-LIST: >> "WARNING!!! If you receive an e-mail titled "JOIN THE CREW" >> DO NOT open it! It will erase EVERYTHING on your hard >> drive! Send this letterout to as many people you >> can....this is a new virus and not many people know about >> it! This message was received this morning from IBM, and >> the Army National Guard, please share it with anyone that >> might access the Internet." I have posted this before, and I post it (yet) again - now listen up: messages of this type warning you of virus emails ARE A HOAX. I have found that the best way to deal with mail warning me of a deadly computer virus is to fire up my Web browser and head on over to the Computer Virus Myths page at Rob Rosenberger's Web site. It always has the latest information to debunk all of these urban legends. Or head on over to the CIASC Internet Hoaxes site: I write up a reply to the sender and everyone who the message was sent to, including the information from the site as well as the address. That way, I shouldn't have to worry about getting that same message again from mutual friends who are looking out for me. ============================== Note (see how these things spread?): ------- CC'd to: rverann at csm.ex.ac.uk (who started all this by sending it to.... dstead at csm.ex.ac.uk (who sent it to...... J.Rubin at plymouth.ac.uk (who sent it to.... chrisgordon at ighmail.com (who sent it to..... "Mangrove Research Discussion List" (from where it landed in the inbox of.... ecopozos at santamarta.cetcol.net.co (and.... caricomp at santamarta.cetcol.net.co (who sent it to the CORAL-LIST.... coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov ....PHEW! ******************************************** Jan L. Korrubel Department of Applied Mathematics University of Natal Private Bag X01 3209 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg South Africa Tel: (++27-331) 2605992 Fax: (++27-331) 2605648 ******************************************** From samjones at idt.net Fri Nov 14 11:06:55 1997 From: samjones at idt.net (Sam Jones) Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 11:06:55 -0500 Subject: seminar announcement Message-ID: <346C771F.6005@idt.net> Fellow coral-listers: A Coral Reef Seminar will be held at the Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation?s Osborn Laboratories of Marine Science. Aquarium Address: Boardwalk at West 8th St. Brooklyn, NY 11224 Seminar Title: A Description of Rapid Wasting Disease, Yellow Band Disease, and Other Epizootics of Caribbean Corals Presenter: James Cervino, Global Coral Reef Alliance Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 4:00p.m. If you have any questions, contact Sam Jones at (718)265-3430/ samjones at idt.net or Dr. Dennis Thoney at (718)265-3436/ dthoney at idt.net. Sincerely, Sam Jones Coral Culture Laboratory Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation From colref at santamarta.cetcol.net.co Fri Nov 14 04:12:55 1997 From: colref at santamarta.cetcol.net.co (Coleccion de referencia - Invemar) Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 14:12:55 +0500 (GMT) Subject: echinoderms photographs In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Dear everybody: Can anyone tell me How do you take photographs in field cruises of echinoderms? or any reference about this topic? Thanks in advance, Silvia Moreno INVEMAR- Colombia From korrubelj at math.unp.ac.za Tue Nov 18 08:22:56 1997 From: korrubelj at math.unp.ac.za (Jan Korrubel) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 15:22:56 +0200 Subject: BALLESTEROS - 19xx - Botanica Marina*..????? Message-ID: Fellow CORAL-LIST'ers, I have yet another of these incomplete references. Can anybody supply the full (and CORRECT) reference for the following paper: BALLESTEROS, E. 19xx. A record of blue-*green algae found on coral reefs in Mauritius. Botanica Marina*.. The date I have for the paper is 1995, but we have _Botanica Marina_ here, and it's not in the 1995 editions......I have checked the author index tables back to 1985 for _BM_ and this paper doesn't appear. So maybe the journal is also incorrect. I'd be grateful if anybody can help out. TIA, Jan Korrubel. University of Natal South Africa. From osha at pobox.com Tue Nov 18 10:30:50 1997 From: osha at pobox.com (Osha Gray Davidson) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 09:30:50 -0600 Subject: Photo of zoox Message-ID: <2.2.32.19971118153050.006db580@soli.inav.net> Thanks to all photographers who responded to my initial request for photos. One is proving hard to find: does anyone have a really great shot of a coral polyp magnified to show the zoox inside? The only one I've found is with a professional photo service and would cost an arm and a leg and I'm far beyond my budget now. Thanks for any help. Cheers, Osha Osha Gray Davidson 14 S. Governor St. Iowa City, IA 52240 USA +++++++++++ PH: (319) 338-4778 FAX: (319) 338-8606 e-mail: osha at pobox.com Scholar Associate, International Programs, University of Iowa From strong at nadn.navy.mil Tue Nov 18 13:27:21 1997 From: strong at nadn.navy.mil (Prof Alan E Strong) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 13:27:21 -0500 (EST) Subject: Galapagos - Bleaching? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: SST have reached new highs around Galapagos -- nearly 28 deg C. Our HotSpot charts [see bottom for URL] show potential now exists for high temp induced bleaching, associated with present El Nino. This is the 1st time SSTs have been this high a several years. Elsewhere around the globe potential areas for bleaching appear to be less than past years...as the Red Sea HotSpot has almost completely disappeared. [Have gotten no confirmation of bleaching in Cape Verdes, as conditions are now a bit less harsh.] Appreciate any feedback. Cheers, Al **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ***** Alan E. Strong Phys Scientist/Oceanographer Adj Assoc Professor NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 US Naval Academy NOAA Science Center -- RM 711H Oceanography Department -- US Postal Service -- -- UPS/FedEx -- Annapolis, MD 21402 4700 Silver Hill Road 5200 Auth Road 410-293-6566[V-mail] Stop 9910 Camp Springs, MD 20746 410-293-2137 [FAX] Washington, DC 20233-9910 strong at nadn.navy.mil Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov ---UNTIL: 31 Dec 1997-- 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8108 http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad From squentin at mcn.org Wed Nov 19 20:21:49 1997 From: squentin at mcn.org (Sarah Quentin/Greg Grantham) Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 17:21:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: email address for Guam/Palau Message-ID: <199711200121.RAA07332@dns1.mcn.org> I apologize to the members of this list in advance, but I'm at wits end. I have a friend/colleague in Palau that I am anxious to reach, but apparently I have the server address wrong. I have tried every possible (I think) configuration of upper and lower case lettering but have been repeatedly unsuccessful. Does anyone know the email address of Palau Community College? It should be something like "pcc.guamnet". Can anyone help me???? Thanks. Greg Grantham Marine Studies College of the Redwoods 1211 Del Mar Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Greg Grantham & Sarah Quentin email: squentin at mcn.org ----------------------------- From acuevas at kin.cieamer.conacyt.mx Wed Nov 19 21:21:37 1997 From: acuevas at kin.cieamer.conacyt.mx (Alfonso Cuevas Jimenez) Date: Wed, 19 Nov 97 20:21:37 CST Subject: Bibliography request Message-ID: <9711200221.AA05406@cieamer.conacyt.mx> Dear coral-listers, I am in a rush, I need to find out the next COMPLETE reference: Aronson, Richard B. and Swanson, Dione W. 19??. Video survey of coral reefs: uni- and multivariate application. Proccedinngs of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium. Thank you in advance Ocean. Alfonso Cuevas-Jimenez Laboratorio de Bentos CINVESTAV-IPN-Unidad Merida Antigua Carretera a Progreso Km. 6 Apartado Postal 73, Cordemex C.P. 97310 Tels: (99) 81-29-05 FAX: (99) 81-29-17 From desalvo at concentric.net Thu Nov 20 07:17:59 1997 From: desalvo at concentric.net (Jason & Deborah DeSalvo) Date: Thu, 20 Nov 97 07:17:59 -0500 Subject: Bleaching on Grand Cayman Message-ID: <199711201217.HAA06757@marconi.concentric.net> Dear Coral Listers-- My wife Deborah and I just returned from 5 days in Grand Cayman (actually our first time diving on the "Big" Island -- we've been to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman several times). The prevailing winds made it necessary to dive the North Side of the Island our first two days there, and while the wall formations were spectacular, we couldn't believe the amount of coral bleaching ocurring in the colonies of Montastraea faveolata (Mountainous Star Coral--including the Flatten Plate Morphotype)! We estimated (using admittedly unscientific methods) that between 50 and 60% of these colonies were effected at the five (5) North Wall dive sites we dove! Interestingly, we saw hardly any bleaching on the same kinds of coral colonies on the West Wall. I've been diving in the Carribean for fifteen years and have never observed such a wide-spread bleaching event. Is the scientific community aware of this going on on Grand Cayman's North Wall? I haven't read anything about it, but it was the most obvious and widespread case of coral bleaching I've ever seen. Please let me know if there is any information on this subject available. Thanks! Sincerely, Jason DeSalvo From leonie at worldnet.att.net Thu Nov 20 15:46:50 1997 From: leonie at worldnet.att.net (Leonie Haimson) Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 12:46:50 -0800 Subject: latest climate update Message-ID: <3474A1BA.687D@worldnet.att.net> Just a few short weeks remain before Kyoto. My update on the climate negotiations so far has just been posted on the Liberty Tree website. Please check it out if you have any interest in the different positions taken by the world's governments, the reasons for some of these differences, and all the latest on the science and politics of global warming at: http://www.libertytree.org/Trenches/climate/climlit.html Also check out the Liberty Tree home page if you'd like to learn more about a whole variety of other environmental issues, including an informative and often very amusing daily column by Conn Nugent on ecosubjects near and far: http://www.libertytree.org/contents3.html Please forward this note to any interested friends and to any relevant news groups, and let me know if there are any developments I should mention in next month's column. Thanks, Leonie Haimson Climate reporter Liberty Tree Website leonie at worldnet.att.net From BilgrayA at tivoli.si.edu Thu Nov 20 19:47:20 1997 From: BilgrayA at tivoli.si.edu (Education Office) Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 16:47:20 -0800 Subject: (no subject) Message-ID: <3474DA18.46C8@tivoli.si.edu> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 3-YETUPP Type: application/octet-stream Size: 13945 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19971120/1d4385d9/attachment.obj -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: AD Type: application/octet-stream Size: 8274 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19971120/1d4385d9/attachment-0001.obj From BilgrayA at tivoli.si.edu Fri Nov 21 14:19:47 1997 From: BilgrayA at tivoli.si.edu (Education Office) Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 11:19:47 -0800 Subject: Felloships at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Message-ID: <3475DED3.38D0@tivoli.si.edu> The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in the Republic of Panama offers fellowships in tropical biology fro research based at its facilities. Annual 3-year postdoctoral fellowship. Annual stipend in $28,000 with yearly travel and research allotments (deadline: Jan15). Three-month fellowships. For graduate students (deadline: Feb15, May15, Aug15 and Nov15). Both offered directly by STRI, for information: http://www.stri.org or fellows at tivoli.si.edu Predoctoral, postdoctoral, senior postdoctoral (1-year) and 10-week fellowships. Molecular Postdoctoral 2-Year Fellowship (deadline: Jan15). For information contact Office of Fellowships & Grants at 955 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7000, Washington DC 20560 or see e-mail: siofg at ofg.si.edu or http://www.si.edu/research+study 3-Year Tupper Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), in the Republic of Panama, invites applications for the annual Tupper three-year postdoctoral fellowship. Disciplines may include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, evolution, behavior and physiology of tropical plants or animals. Research should be based at one of the STRI facilities; proposals that include comparative research in other tropical countries will be considered. Applications should include a detailed research proposal (less than 10 pages including budget), a curriculum vitae, two letters of reference, and names and telephone numbers of three additional professional references. Applicants should identify a STRI scientific staff member who will serve as their advisor and consult this person before submitting final application. Annual stipend is $28,000 with yearly travel and research allotments. Send application by Jan. 15 1998 to: 3-Year Tupper Postdoctoral Fellowship, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948, Fax (507) 232-5978, E-mail: FELLOWS at TIVOLI.SI.EDU From rodgarza at acnet.net Wed Nov 26 22:19:37 1997 From: rodgarza at acnet.net (Rodrigo Garza) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 21:19:37 -0600 Subject: Requesting Info about Coral Diseases Message-ID: <347CE6C7.B7F381C1@acnet.net> Hi all of you... first an apologize for those who already read this post at marbio and marine_pathol... Thanx for taking the time in reading this... i'm acomplishing a project protocol about Black band disease, white band disease and coral bleaching... if you have any info about it please send it to me!! I already have a lot of references.. but if you have abstracts, full articles or URL's where i can gather this info i'll be very grateful to recive 'em!... Thank you again... Greetings from Mexico -- Biologo Marino Joaquin Rodrigo Garza Perez. C. 47 # 495 x 18 Fracc. Sol Campestre. Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. C.P. 97119 tel/fax: (99) 44-15-85 intl: 52 (99) 44-15-85 e-mail: rodgarza at acnet.net joaquing at kin.cieamer.conacyt.mx rodgarza at pibil.finred.com.mx wetsuit at hotmail.com From fthomas at mobile.gulf.net Thu Nov 27 12:08:08 1997 From: fthomas at mobile.gulf.net (Flo Thomas) Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 11:08:08 -0600 Subject: post-doc available Message-ID: <347DA8F8.10AA@mobile.gulf.net> Post-doc available for 2-2.5 years. The position is to work on an NSF funded project to explore the role of hydordynamic stresses on the fertilization ecology of free-spawning marine invertebrates. The research is very interdisciplinary and could be appropriate for someone trained in any of the following areas: biomechanics, reproducive ecology, systematics, molecular and cellular structure of gametes. Below is a description of the research. If you are interested please contact, Dr. Florence Thomas, fthomas at jaguar1.usouthal.edu, P.O. Box 369, Dauphin Island, Alabama, 36528. Research description: Free-spawning organisms release eggs and sperm directly into the water column posing a particular set of obstacles to successful reproduction. First, after release from the adults, gametes must survive physical stresses present in the external environment. Second, sperm must meet eggs -- the probability of which decreases with dilution rates of gametes in sea water. Third, the fertilized eggs must undergo normal embryonic development. The research is to investigate the possibility that eggs have undergone selection for specific properties that help overcome hydrodynamic stresses by: (1) reducing damage and loss of eggs; (2) decreasing rates of dilution after spawning; and (3) reducing abnormal development of eggs exposed to physical stress. The aim of this research is to further our understand of the importance of hydrodynamics and physical stress to fertilization biology of free-spawning organisms. This research program integrates biomechanics and an analysis of cell structure within a phylogenetic context. Physical properties of eggs (viscosity, Young?s modulus and compressive strength, and dilution rates), and physical exposure of adult habitats are being measured using techniques from biomechanics. Light and electron microscopy are being used to characterize specific egg traits, (thickness, organic content, and ultrastructure of jelly coats and other egg features). Phylogenetic and statistical analyses are being used to test the hypothesis that physical stresses have led to selection for specific gamete properties. The plan is to determine if there is a general pattern in the relationship between egg properties and adult habitat characteristics. We will then compare these patterns for geminate species across the Isthmus of Panama to establish causality. From hendee at aoml.noaa.gov Fri Nov 28 11:54:32 1997 From: hendee at aoml.noaa.gov (James C. Hendee) Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 11:54:32 -0500 (EST) Subject: Reef mass bleaching due to CO2 rise (fwd) Message-ID: This message was too long, and was curtailed for the coral-list archives: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:04:01 +0100 From: Jean-Pierre Gattuso To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Reef mass bleaching due to CO2 rise This message is posted on behalf of: right,leftMartin PECHEUX, 8, rue Dante, 06000 Nice FRANCE E-mail : martinpecheux at minitel.net Phone : (33) 493 444 938 Please send all messages directly to him. --------------------------------------------- Here are one chapter and descriptions of experiments upon the relation between bleaching and CO2 rise. They are taken from the (english-uncorrected) new version of my "Review on Coral Reef Bleaching", to be published in Atoll Research Bulletin (214p.). The old version can be found at www.essi.fr/~sander/articles/Misc/Coral_Reef.html. Thanks for comments. THE CO2-PHOTOINHIBITION HYPOTHESIS We will now summarize our hypothesis that the recent worldwide mass bleaching is due to the CO2 rise through symbiont PS II photoinhibition. We came to this conclusion in time when CO2 and PS II were not edvoked, but after a carefull integration of all the available data (1992 first version of this report, P?cheux, 1993, 1994). Contrary to common scientific problematic, reef mass bleaching, a global question, must be understood from connections and convergences of all science disciplines, from biochemistry to physiology, ecology, oceanography, planet systems and geology, as we tried to do in this review. [ etc. ] From coral at aoml.noaa.gov Fri Nov 28 11:53:00 1997 From: coral at aoml.noaa.gov (Coral Health and Monitoring Program) Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 11:53:00 -0500 (EST) Subject: Long Messages; Abstracts Proposed Message-ID: The length of acceptable messages for coral-list has been changed to 50,000 characters to prevent over-burdening the coral-list listserver workstation, and the sending of exceptionally long messages, which would perhaps be better transmitted via FTP, the Web or, of course, journals! For journal articles and seminars on coral-related subjects, I believe it would be most helpful and informative to post abstracts, if you, as author, feel so inclined. I want to thank Dr. Judy Lang for this exceptional idea! If you feel 50,000 characters is too little (or too much!) for this listserver, please let me know (hendee at aoml.noaa.gov). Take care... JCH coral-list administrator