Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9383
Title: Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Australian Subtropical White Syndrome at East Australian Reefs: Host Range, Prevalence, and Progression of Tissue Necrosis
Contributor(s): Dalton, Steven  (author)orcid ; Smith, Stephen D (author); Harrison, Matthew (author); Carroll, Andrew G (author); Pereg, Lily  (author); Cairns, Stuart C  (author)
Publication Date: 2010
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9383
Abstract: Australian subtropical white syndrome (ASWS) has been observed affecting dominant coral species on subtropical reefs throughout northern New South Wales since 2000. Using replicate two metre belt transects, spatial and temporal patterns of ASWS prevalence were determined at three locations between 29.5 - 31.5°S; Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP), Lord Howe Island (LHI) and South West Rocks (SWR). Additionally, within the SIMP, photographic methods were employed to monitor 90 stressed coral colonies, from five common species, through time. Australian subtropical white syndrome was observed at all locations investigated, including LHI, which lies approximately 600 km east of mainland Australia. Disease prevalence ranged between 0.38 - 9.88% and was highest at the most southerly mainland location, SWR. Thirty-three corals species from six families (26% of all species present at the study locations) were observed with ASWS-like signs over the duration of the study. Dominant coral species were more susceptible to ASWS, with 'Turbinaria' spp. more affected at reefs adjacent to mainland Australia, and 'Acropora' spp. more susceptible at LHI. Prevalence of ASWS within the SIMP was significantly higher during summer compared to cooler seasons, and there was a significant concordance between coral density and prevalence of disease at this location. Patterns in disease prevalence showed a clumped distribution, which is suggestive of an infectious disease. Rate-of-spread of disease through affected colonies also followed seasonal patterns with significantly more coral tissue loss occurring during summer months. Recurrence of ASWS was observed and, through time, led to the complete mortality of 40% of the monitored colonies. Transmission of ASWS was observed in situ between colonies of the same species, between species within a genus and between genera. Finally, results from this study indicate that ASWS is a chronic stress that, through time, may lead to the loss of dominant subtropical corals along the east coast of Australia.
Publication Type: Book Chapter
Source of Publication: Handbook of Disease Outbreaks: Prevention, Detection and Control, p. 187-210
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, Inc
Place of Publication: New York, United States of America
ISBN: 9781608762248
1608762246
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050205 Environmental Management
040501 Biological Oceanography
050202 Conservation and Biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960402 Control of Animal Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Coastal and Estuarine Environments
960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
960502 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Environments
HERDC Category Description: B1 Chapter in a Scholarly Book
Publisher/associated links: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=13850
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/36468838
Series Name: Public Health in the 21st Century
Editor: Editor(s): Albin Holmgren and Gerhard Borg
Appears in Collections:Book Chapter

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