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Voss Lab graduate students Sydney Bell and Haley Davis recently made an unfortunate yet important discovery on the reefs of Bonaire: the first reported potential observations of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in the region. SCTLD was first identified and characterized in south Florida, but sadly has now been documented in several locations throughout the wider Caribbean. As of May 2022, SCTLD had not been reported yet in Bonaire nor in nearby Aruba or Curaçao. Initial surveys in June 2022 at four dive sites identified four species with active disease lesions, all of which are species known to be highly susceptible to SCTLD: Colpophyllia natans, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Meandrina meandrites, and Diploria labyrinthiformis. Our team quickly notified collaborators at Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA) and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Association (DCNA) to share data and help inform subsequent monitoring and response efforts. Follow surveys and/or sampling will be needed to confirm SCTLD at these sites. STINAPA and DCNA have also taken aggressive steps to help reduce the potential spread of SCTLD to other reefs in Bonaire, including temporary dive site closures.
To learn more about FAU Harbor Branch’s coral disease research and intervention efforts visit https://vosslab.weebly.com/coral-health--disease.html.
And for more information about coordinated SCTLD tracking and response in the wider Caribbean visit https://www.agrra.org/coral-disease-outbreak/.
To learn more about FAU Harbor Branch’s coral disease research and intervention efforts visit https://vosslab.weebly.com/coral-health--disease.html.
And for more information about coordinated SCTLD tracking and response in the wider Caribbean visit https://www.agrra.org/coral-disease-outbreak/.
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