Distribution and abundance of elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, and prevalence of whit-band disease at Buck Island Reef Naitonal Monument, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Mayor PA, Rogers CS, Hillis-Starr ZM. 2006. Distribution and abundance of elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, and prevalence of whit-band disease at Buck Island Reef Naitonal Monument, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Coral Reefs. 25:239-242
In the 1970s and 1980s elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, declined dramatically throughout the Caribbean primarily due to white-band disease (WBD). In 2005, elkhorn coral was proposed for listing as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. WBD was first documented at Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM). Together with hurricanes WBD reduced live elkhorn coral coverage by probably over 90 percent. In the past decade some recovery has been observed at BIRNM. This study assessed the distribution and abundance of elkhorn coral and estimated the prevalence of WBD at the monument. Within an area of 795 ha, we estimated 97,232-134,371 (95 percent confidence limits) elkhorn coral colonies with any dimension of connected live tissue greater than one meter, about 3 percent of which were infected by WBD. Despite some recovery, the elkhorn coral density remains low and WBD may continue to present a threat to the elkhorn coral population. Abstract provided by author.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mayor, Philippe; Rogers, Caroline; Hillis-Starr, Zandy
- Units
- BUIS
- Keywords
- Abundance, Acropora palmata, Disease, Distribution, Elkhorn coral, White-band