Sources and threats of chronic tissue loss on coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands, Indian Ocean

作者：Ranith Rajamohanan Pillai; Senthilnathan Lakshmanan; Machendiranathan Mayakrishnan; Thangaradjou Thirunavukarasu^*; Sasamal Sasanka; Choudhury Saroj B

来源：Marine Ecology-An Evolutionary Perspective, 2017, 38(3): e12436.

DOI：10.1111/maec.12436

• diseases
• Lakshadweep
• macroalgae
• mortality
• predation
• tissue loss

Tissue degradation and resulting mortality are major threats to coral reefs around the world. Information on interactions of the major environmental factors that mediate tissue loss and mortality in coral reefs is of great importance. It is essential to understand the prevailing reef health conditions and to develop appropriate management actions. In the present study, a series of benthic surveys conducted in the Lakshadweep Islands revealed the interaction of major biological factors in causing tissue loss and mortality. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed interactions of various environmental scenarios. Tissue loss was prevalent in islands with high cover of massive corals (m=20.91) and low in islands dominated by branching corals (m=0.61). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed black band disease (beta = .59; p < .001) and algal interactions (beta = .48; p < .001) to be major factors responsible for coral mortality caused by tissue loss in the region.

• 出版日期2017-6