WARD, J.R.; BRUNO, J.; HARVELL, C.D.; MULLEN, K; PETES, L.E.; RYPIEN, K.L.; SANCHEZ, J.; SMITH, G.; Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY; Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY; Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY; Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR; Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY; Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC; Univ. of South Carolina, Aiken: Patterns of Coral Diversity and Disease in the Caribbean

Coral reefs face threats from anthropogenic impacts, climate change, and disease. However, there is little information on impacts of disease on biodiversity and spatio-temporal patterns of disease across coral species. In 2002, we established permanent transect sites along the Yucatan to address the relationship between: 1. gorgonian and scleractinian disease prevalence, 2. disease prevalence and coral density, 3. disease prevalence and total coral diversity, and 4. the use of sea fan aspergillosis as an indicator of overall reef health. Transects were surveyed June 2002 and 2003 and will continue to be monitored to establish long-term datasets. Six scleractinian diseases (dark spot, black band, yellow band/blotch, white plague, white band, and white pox), and aspergillosis of sea fans were present. Site diversity was calculated using measures of richness and evenness. Total coral richness ranged from 44 to 51 species. Total disease prevalence ranged from 2 to 12%. As predicted, gorgonian and scleractinian disease prevalence are positively correlated. Total coral disease is inversely related to coral density, contrary to predictions. Future work will determine if density, depth, or other factors that covary with depth caused observed trends. Additional temporal data will allow us to document changes in diversity and disease prevalence over time.