Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Observations on naturally and artificially diseased tropical corals: A scanning electron microscope study

  • Published:
Microbial Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of naturally and artificially diseased corals reveal that the disease is characterized by a filamentous matrix of cyanobacterial andBeggiatoa filaments. Spiral bacteria are commonly embedded in the matrix. The artificial disease is not manifested as the characteristic “black line disease” and does not contain filaments of cyanobacteria. This suggests that cyanobacteria are necessary for the black line phenomenon. The colorless, sulfide-oxidizing bacteriumBeggiatoa, however, is always associated with the disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Antonius, A.: New observations on coral destruction in reefs. Abstracts Tenth Meet. Island Mar. Labs. Caribbean, p. 201 (1973)

  2. Buchanon, R. E., and N. E. Gibbons (eds.): Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Drouet, F.: Revision of the Classification of the Oscillatoriaceae. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dubos, R.: Second thoughts on the germ theory. Sci. Am.192(5), 31–35 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ducklow, H. W., and R. Mitchell: Composition of mucus released by coral reef coelenterates. Limnol. Oceanogr.24, 706–714 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ducklow, H. W., and R. Mitchell: Bacterial populations and adaptations in the mucus layers of living corals. Limnol. Oceanogr.24, 715–725 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dustan, P.: Vitality of reef coral populations off Key Largo, Florida: recruitment and mortality. Environ. Geol.2, 51–58 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Garrett, P., and H. W. Ducklow: Coral diseases in Bermuda. Nature253, 349–350 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Joshi, M. M., and J. P. Hollis: Interaction ofBeggiatoa and rice plant: detoxification of hydrogen sulfide in the rice rhizosphere. Science195, 179–180 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Strohl, W. R., and J. M. Larkin: Enumeration, isolation and characterization of Beggiatoa from freshwater sediments. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.36, 755–770 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Hugh W. Ducklow & Ralph Mitchell

Authors
  1. Hugh W. Ducklow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ralph Mitchell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ducklow, H.W., Mitchell, R. Observations on naturally and artificially diseased tropical corals: A scanning electron microscope study. Microb Ecol 5, 215–223 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02013528

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02013528

Keywords

Search

Navigation