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Types of
Coral Disease and Their Identification
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In
colonies with Plague type I the band of white, exposed coral
skeleton is very thin, and the disease advances slowly (2-4
mm/day). |
Plague type I affects 8 species including the star coral (M.
franksi) shown here.
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White
Plague type II:
In
plague type II coral tissue loss occurs at up to 2 cm per
day. On reefs affected by an outbreak of plague type II divers
may observe numerous small (<15 cm) colonies that have
recently died.
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Plage type II affects 33 species including the elliptical star coral
(Dichocoenia stokesii) shown here.
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White
Plague type III:
Plague type III is characterized by the most rapid rate of spread,
advancing at 10 cm or more per day. This form often affects
several meter tall mountainous star coral (M. faveolata)
and giant brain corals (Colpophyllia natans). During
an outbreak, divers may observe multiple large colonies which
had recently lost more than half their tissue.
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Colony of mountainous star coral (M. faveolata) with
plague type III.
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