| White band disease | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Acroporid white syndrome |
 | |
| White band disease affecting elkhorn coral ("Acropora palmata") in Africa. | |
| Specialty | Marine biology |
White band disease is a coral disease that affects acroporid corals and is distinguishable by the white band of exposed coral skeleton that it forms.[1] The disease completely destroys the coral tissue of Caribbean acroporid corals, specifically elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (A. cervicornis).[1] The disease exhibits a pronounced division between the remaining coral tissue and the exposed coral skeleton.[2] These symptoms are similar to white plague, except that white band disease is only found on acroporid corals, and white plague has not been found on any acroporid corals.[3] It is part of a class of similar disease known as "white syndromes", many of which may be linked to species of Vibrio bacteria. While the pathogen for this disease has not been identified, Vibrio carchariae may be one of its factors. The degradation of coral tissue usually begins at the base of the coral, working its way up to the branch tips, but it can begin in the middle of a branch.[1]
- ^ a b c Gladfelter, W. B. "Population Structure of Acropora palmata on the Windward Fore Reef, Buck Island National Monument, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands". U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "White band disease".
- ^ Vargas-Angel, and Wheeler, Bernardo, and Benjamin. "Coral Health and Disease Assessment in the U.S. Pacific Territories and Affiliated States" (PDF).
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