SPONGE ORANGE BAND - USA: (FLORIDA), SUSPECTED
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International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Sun 29 Apr 2012
Source: Reef Rescue [edited]
<http://reefrescue.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/disease-attacking-barrel-sponges-on-palm-beach-reefs/>
A recent disease outbreak affecting giant barrel sponges (_Xestospongia muta_) is being documented by local scuba divers. The outbreak believed to be sponge orange band (SOB) disease has been observed within the last 2 weeks [2nd half of April 2012] on reefs ranging from Boynton Beach, 12 miles north to the Town of Palm Beach.
According to published research
(<http://people.uncw.edu/pawlikj/2011FEMSAngermeier.pdf>), it has been difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of SOB; however, environmental stress is likely to decrease the fitness of sponges, which may, in turn, render them more susceptible to disease. As of now, the cause of SOB disease in barrel sponges remains unidentified.
Disease epidemics can cause drastic reductions of sponge populations, with negative effects on the overall reef ecology. Sponge diseases have been documented in all major ocean bodies, with the Caribbean representing a particular hot spot. They typically start with the appearance of discolored patches, followed by tissue disintegration, leaving behind the exposed skeleton. SOB disease usually results in sponge death.
Local divers are asked to email their observations, photos and locations of barrel sponge disease outbreaks to Palm Beach County Reef Rescue (<http://www.reef-rescue.org>).
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ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
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[The etiology of SOB disease is still unknown. Attempts to gather evidence that incriminate a single microbial agent have failed. The disease is, however, strongly associated with high or low temperatures. The hypothesis that coral reef diseases are basically opportunistic infections secondary to physiological stress (e.g.
increasing water temperature) appears to be the most supported one.
A picture of a healthy barrel sponge can be seen at:
<http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/07twilightzone/logs/may23/media/barrel_sponge_600.jpg>;
a picture of a diseased barrel sponge can be seen at:
<http://reefrescue.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/barrelsob.jpeg>. Watch a video of Palm Beach County barrel sponge disease at:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz6Q7wt7Cx8&feature=youtu.be>. A HealthMap of the affected area can be accessed at <http://healthmap.org/r/2jfS>. - Mod.PMB]
[see also:
Coral reef kill - worldwide: viruses? 20120330.1085191 Montipora white syndrome, coral reef - USA: (HI) 20120109.1004413
2011
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White pox coral disease - USA: (FL) 20110820.2527 2010
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Coral reef disease, link to human Serratia strains 20101024.3861 Coral reef bleaching - Caribbean: temperature related 20101020.3796 Montipora white syndrome, coral reef - USA (02): (HI) 20100415.1220 Montipora white syndrome, coral reef - USA: (HI) 20100403.1078
2007
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Vibrio, rare coral - UK 20070905.2933
Coral reef kill - Costa Rica 20070904.2915 Coral reef kill - Pacific Region 20070810.2600
2004
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Coral reef kills - USA (FL)(02) 20040327.0846 Coral reef kills - USA (FL) 20040320.0777] .................................................sb/pmb/msp/lm/ll
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