학술논문
Systematic Analysis of White Pox Disease in Acropora palmata of the Florida Keys and Role of Serratia marcescens.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Joyner JL; Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.; Sutherland KP; Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, USA.; Kemp DW; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.; Berry B; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.; Griffin A; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.; Porter JW; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.; Amador MH; Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, USA.; Noren HK; Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, USA.; Lipp EK; Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA elipp@uga.edu.
Source
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7605801 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1098-5336 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00992240 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Appl Environ Microbiol Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
White pox disease (WPD) affects the threatened elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata. Owing in part to the lack of a rapid and simple diagnostic test, there have been few systematic assessments of the prevalence of acroporid serratiosis (caused specifically by Serratia marcescens) versus general WPD signs. Six reefs in the Florida Keys were surveyed between 2011 and 2013 to determine the disease status of A. palmata and the prevalence of S. marcescens. WPD was noted at four of the six reefs, with WPD lesions found on 8 to 40% of the colonies surveyed. S. marcescens was detected in 26.9% (7/26) of the WPD lesions and in mucus from apparently healthy colonies both during and outside of disease events (9%; 18/201). S. marcescens was detected with greater frequency in A. palmata than in the overlying water column, regardless of disease status (P = 0.0177). S. marcescens could not be cultured from A. palmata but was isolated from healthy colonies of other coral species and was identified as pathogenic pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type PDR60. WPD lesions were frequently observed on the reef, but unlike in prior outbreaks, no whole-colony death was observed. Pathogenic S. marcescens was circulating on the reef but did not appear to be the primary pathogen in these recent WPD episodes, suggesting that other pathogens or stressors may contribute to signs of WPD. Results highlight the critical importance of diagnostics in coral disease investigations, especially given that field manifestation of disease may be similar, regardless of the etiological agent.
(Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)
(Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)