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[James M. Cervino]

Dear Robert and others,

ROBERT: The healing edge was a conspicuous pink colour in the first month
then became pale.

JAMES: YES YOU ARE CORRECT,  PIGMENTATION CHANGE IS EVIDENT AROUND THE
HEALING EDGE, HOWEVER, NOT IN OTHER AREAS ON THAT PARTICULAR CORAL COLONY.
THE REASON THIS CAN BE CONFUSING IS THE PIGMENTED PINK RING OR BLOTCH IS
SEEN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LESION MARKED BY THE DEPRESSED SKELETON.
SIMILAR TO THE BEHAVIOR OF YELLOW BAND/BLOTCH IN THE CARIBBEAN, HOWEVER,
THE DEPRESSION IS DEEPER WITH REGARD TO THE PORITES SYNDROME.  THE PURPLISH
BLOTCH ON 2 OF MY PHOTOS LOOKS SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON ESTHER PETERS
DISEASE HOME PAGE UNDER NEOPLASMS.  LOSS OF POLYP STRUCTURE ((original
pigment and mucus is not evident in the blotch, suggesting loss of
zooxanthelle)).  Is this possible??


ROBERT: A pink fleck consistently appeared on the healing edge as it
closed. The fleck turned pale one month prior to complete healing.

THIS UN-KNOWN OVOID SHAPED RESIDENT WITH STRANDS EXTENDING OUTWARD CAN BE
SEE ON THE  CORAL SURFACE LAYER WITHOUT LESIONS. MANY HEALTHY CORALS
(PROBABLY DURING THE BEGINNING) HAVE THESE PINK OVOID SHAPED BODIES ALL
OVER THEM. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW IT AT THIS STAGE TO SEE IF
THIS IS CAUSING THE LESION. THIS UN-KNOWN RESIDENT CAN ALSO BE SEEN IN AND
AROUND LESIONS AS WELL.

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED:

1)WHAT IS THE OVOID SHAPED ORGANISM
2) IS IT CAUSING THE LESION
3)ARE FISH OR OTHER MARINE ORGANISMS RESPONSIBLE
4)IS THIS RECOVERY AFTER FISH DAMAGE  (the corals we are looking at are not
in recovery).

Thanks for the discussion, James