Scientists from NOAA’s National Cent±§ers for Coastal Ocean ∞€Science (NCCOS) have successfulγ→∞ly treated and rehabilitat™'↔♦ed diseased pillar coral resc→π≠ued from the Florida Reef ≠φTract.
First detected near Miami in 2014, stony corγ&al tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has since spread δ★throughout the Florida Key↔'±s and much of the Caribbea☆≠n. The disease is infecting and killing rou♦₹≤≈ghly half of the region’s÷♣☆σ hard coral species, including pillar¥∑≈♦ coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) — a spec↔☆φies listed as threatened ≥↓±under the Endangered Spec'♦ies Act. Florida's wild pillar coral populati σon is now less than six percent of its kno≤λwn population in 2014.
(Research diver documents st♦₩Ωony coral tissue loss disease in pillar coral alΩβ₽€ong Florida Reef Tract, 2019. Credit: Nova Southeastern University.)
Dr. Cheryl Woodley and her team at NCCOS are σ☆♦φworking to save pillar coral from the dise✔✘↑σase. Multi-institutional rescue missi§δδons have been collecting various hard coralπ< species for safekeeping at onshore an•"↔d offshore nursery facilities. Diseased p¥✔↓♣illar corals have been going to Dr. Woodley’s lab for treatment. Seven rescue ↔>★events from 2016 to 2019, along ¥∑with acquisitions transferre©♥↑d from two other institutiε ±↑ons, provided the lab in Charleston, South Car™>olina, with pillar coral fragme ↔nts for experimental treatment and ×Ωδrehabilitation.
Based on their trials of different tδ™ reatments, the team d≠₩₽™eveloped a topical antibiot&γ₽₽ic-infused paste that can be applied directly to ¥♠★∞SCTLD lesions in aqu₽ ↕arium settings to arrφβ¥>est tissue loss and pr™↓<₹event coral death. Treatment methods and res☆α☆ults are available in a ☆new publication.
The researchers successfully treated 176 specimen♦₽♦s from the 208 coral fragments they reδ←λσceived. These small remn≥∑₩ants of once tall, stately pillar corals now aw☆☆δait a time when they can be used to restore the ≥∞♦species to the wild.
The team's success$&δ prompted wider-scale development of a topical ₹γ☆>antibiotic paste that could be ap₹" ∞plied to SCTLD-infected corals in the w₹™≤ ild. In partnership with Co&φreRx Pharmaceuticals and O≤✔×cean Alchemists, the resulting product ↔ is now being used on over 20 coral₩≈↓ species throughout the region to save σ÷♥★colonies infected with stony coral tissue☆✘∏→ loss disease.
The Florida Reef Tract is the third 'βlargest coral barrier reef system in the w↓Ωorld. The reef supports fi←σsheries, tourism, and recreation activities thatΩγδ generate hundreds of millions of♠Ω₽ dollars annually.
SOURCE：National Ocean≤λ←♦ic and Atmospheric Administration