[Coral-List] Coralimorph problem in Palmyra

[Will Nuckols]

So I assume from Jim Maragos's perspective, and accordingly the perspective
of the USFWS, the logical first step is to remove the metal materials from
the reef to limit further spread and possibly reduce the viability of the
existing Coralimorph colony - Jim can you confirm that this is the current
strategy if a mitigation strategy is to be put into action? 

Will Nuckols 






-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Delbeek,
Charles
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 3:37 PM
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coralimorph problem in Palmyra

Corallimorphs in aquaria tend to do well in water with elevated organics and
phosphate in the water. It could be that these disturbances to the reef may
have liberated or exposed reef structure that has resulted in the liberation
of bound phosphate or increased its exposure to bacterial action. Another
possibility may be that interstitial waters (usually high on P and N) in the
reef rockwork were released and now are freely flowing into the nearby
waters? Sort of like uncorking a bottle.

Just some random speculations! :-)

J. Charles Delbeek, M.Sc.
Senior Aquatic Biologist, Steinhart Aquarium
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco CA 94118

phone (415) 379-5303
fax (415) 379-5304
cdelbeek at calacademy.org
www.calacademy.org

Extreme mammals take over the Academy April 3 - September 12  


-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Albert Norstrom
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 6:16 AM
To: Forest Rohwer
Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coralimorph problem in Palmyra

Hi Forest and all others,

We're currently undergoing experiments on Zanzibar to discern the 
potential drivers (N,P,Fe exposure or loss of top-down control) of 
corallimorph expansions. One interesting, and unexpected, observation by 
my master student (who's on site) is that corallimorphs in experimental 
plots on the reef were predated by a species of seastar. Communication 
with her is sporadic and so I haven't received photos or any detailed 
identification of the critters responsible, but I could do so as soon as 
I receive more info.

Corallimorpharian dominated reefs were one of the persistent alternative 
states we identified in a MEPS review from last year 
(http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m376p295.pdf).

Best regards,
Albert

Forest Rohwer wrote:
> The reef around a wreck of the longliner on Palmyra is doing really
poorly.
> A coralimorph (Rhodactis) has completely taken over the area.  The
colonies
> cover over 80% of the benthos, independently of what was underneath.  The
> concerning part is that it is spreading rapidly across the shallow western
> terrace of the island.  The spread is really quick and it is starting to
> invade some of the most beautiful and intact reefs left on the island.
>
> Jim Maragos has an article on this:
> http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002989
>
> Ideas about how to kill the coralimorph would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Forest Rohwer
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
>
>   

-- 
Albert Norström, PhD
Stockholm Resilience Centre & Albaeco
Stockholm University

Kräftriket 2A
104 05 Stockholm
Sweden 

Tel: +46 (0)79 54 63 74
Email: albert at ecology.su.se
Sustainable development update blog: www.sdupdate.org

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