ANDERSON, David A; New College of Florida: The Incidence of Coral Disease on the Islands of Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

An increase in coral disease has been documented around the world, especially in the Atlantic/Caribbean basin. With an increase in anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs, as well as rising sea surface temperatures, the health of coral reefs is quickly declining. Cayos Cochinos, a group of small islands off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, has had little research recently conducted on coral disease. A survey was conducted on the west side of Cochinos Grande during the summer of 2005 to assess the incidence of coral disease associated with the abundant massive brain and boulder/star corals present. Boulder/star and brain corals (Montastrea, Siderastrea, and Diploria) were most effected by disease. Data collected included: species effected, the size of the colony, suspected disease variety and progression, and the direction and distance from other corals documented with disease. Photographs and video were collected to document all subjects of the survey and to allow comparisons of changes in the corals over time. Another sampling for the area is planned for summer 2006.