Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease and Other Diseases Affect Adults and Recruits of Major Reef Builders at Different Spatial Scales in the Dominican Republic

• DOI: 10.18785/gcr.3301.03
• Publication Date: 2022-05-11T16:04:50Z
• Authors: Aldo Croquer; Someira Zambrano; Samuel King; Aurello Reyes; Rita Sellares-Blanco; Andreina Valdez T...; Maria Villalpando; Yira Rodriguez-Jerez; Estefany Vargas; Camilo Cortes-Useche; Macarena Blanco; Johanna Calle-Tre...; Rebecca García-Camps; Ana Hernández-Orquet; Ruben Torres; Iker Irazabal; Laura Díaz; Yassmin Evangelista; Emy Miyazawa
• Keywords: Acropora

Monitoring programs can help understand coral disease dynamics. Here, we present results from a national program in the Dominican Republic (DR) aimed at evaluating diseases 3 times year following nested spatial design. Prevalence of DR varied sites to regions, suggesting that dynamics be driven by local processes and/or across larger scales. Three were common: Dark Spot (DSD), Yellow Band (YBD) and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). DSD YBD more prevalent western coast (north south), whereas SCTLD was restricted for study period northern coast. has become endemic northwestern coast, epizootic northeastern, absent other DR. prevalence northwest below 10% sites, northeast it 2.13±3.69% (mean± sd) 38.7±13.55% Galeras 1.9±0.99% 38.5±19.8% Samaná. Over 10 species affected DR, with Pseudodiploria spp, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Eusmilia fastigiata, Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea cavernosa Meandrina being most susceptible. We observed affecting recruits juvenile corals 5% on average. Furthermore, Oreaster reticulatus climbing 1% healthy 27% P. strigosa colonies conclude is serious problem producing rapid loss cover major reef builders are locally used propagation efforts. This monitoring plan will provide future insights design effective responses.