[Coral-List] ID of possible coral parasite?

[Keven Reed]

My first wild guess (impression) is a marine gastrotrich:  ciliated, appropriate size range, ten pin body shape, hermaphroditic, adhesive mechanism for substrate.

Marine gastrotrichs will eat bacteria, diatoms, & small protozoa (dead or alive).
Curiously,
Keven 

PS:  I am NOT a gastrotrich molecular taxonomist.

Keven Reed, O.D.
Orange Park, FL  32003

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Milton McAllister 
  To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 2:07 PM
  Subject: [Coral-List] ID of possible coral parasite?


  Some tiny, sac-like organisms were observed in damaged tissue of a massive 
  caribbean coral.  They are approximately 250 microns long and have a 
  tube-like opening at one end.  I do not recognize these organisms and would 
  appreciate help with identification or suggestions about reference material 
  to consult.

  Two JPEG photos of the organisms can be observed at the following web 
  addresses:
  https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/mmmcalli/www/OrganismLoMag.jpg
  https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/mmmcalli/www/OrganismHiMag.jpg

  Thank you,

  ****************************************************************
  Milton McAllister, Associate Professor, Veterinary Pathologist
  University of Illinois
  College of Veterinary Medicine
  Department of Pathobiology
  2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
  Urbana, IL  61801
  217-333-7005
  mmmcalli at uiuc.edu

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