Connecting the Dots: Transmission of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease From the Marquesas to the Dry Tortugas

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.778938
• Publication Date: 2022-02-08T07:28:31Z
• Authors: Thomas Dobbelaere; Daniel M. Holstein; Erinn M. Muller; Lewis J. Gramer; Lucas McEachron; Sara D. Williams; Emmanuel Hanert
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Connectivity; Science; Q; Stony coral tissue loss disease; General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; 01 natural sciences; stony-coral-tissue-loss disease; Tortugas gyre; connectivity; Coastal modeling; Florida’s coral reef; 14. Life underwater; hydro-epidemiological modeling; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

For the last 7 years, Florida’s Coral Reef (FCR) has suffered from widespread and severe coral loss caused by stony tissue disease (SCTLD). First observed off coast of Miami-Dade county in 2014, outbreak since spread throughout entirety FCR some areas Caribbean. However, propagation through seemed to slow down when it reached western end Marquesas August 2020. Despite being present about 30 km (∼20 miles) Dry Tortugas (DRTO), SCTLD was not reported this area before May 2021. As transmission is likely be waterborne, here we suggest that apparently delayed related eddy activity near DRTO under influence Loop Current/Florida Current system. To quantify impact local ocean circulation on DRTO, evaluated hydrodynamic-predicted connectivity between these two regions using a high-resolution hydro-epidemiological model 2018 Our results were connected during February-October 2020 January-May These periods coincided with either occurrence gyres mean an eastward component or presence southward currents. agents probably November they most originated southern northwestern reefs Marquesas. This study provides novel insight into role played hydrodynamics within western-most edge FCR, propagating uninfected locations.