Low pH reduces the virulence of black band disease on Orbicella faveolata

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 1;12(6):e0178869. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178869. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Black band is a deadly coral disease found worldwide, which may become more virulent as oceanic conditions continue to change. To determine the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on black band disease virulence, Orbicella faveolata corals with black band were exposed to different temperature and pH conditions. Results showed a significant decrease in disease progression under low pH (7.7) conditions. Low pH also altered the relative abundance of the bacterial community of the black band disease consortium. Here, there was a significant decrease in Roseofilum, the cyanobacterium that typically dominates the black band mat. These results indicate that as oceanic pH decreases so may the virulence of a worldwide coral disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthozoa / microbiology*
  • Cyanobacteria / pathogenicity*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
  • Virulence

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Florida Protect Our Reef License Plate Grant POR-2011-20, POR-2012-11, and POR-2013-3; a Mote Postdoctoral Fellowship for EMM; Dart Foundation supported KBR; and a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF OCE 1156580), which supported KJM.