Thirteen reef areas of Colombian territories in the Southwestern Caribbean were surveyed during the last 10 years. Coral diseases have been recorded in all these areas since 1990 and some of them have increased progressively. Six types were differentiated in the region, of which black band disease (BBD), dark spots disease (DSD), white band disease (WBD) and white plague disease (WPD) are widespread and common. Yellow band disease (YBD) was observed only since April 1998 but has been found now in seven reef areas and eight coral species (most of them recorded here as new hosts). In total, 25 species of hard corals were observed with diseases in the region, of which Colpophyllia natans, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Montastraea annularis, M. Javeolata, M. Jranksi and Acropora spp. appear to be highly susceptible.
Sabellariid polychaetes, commonly known as honeycomb worms, are capable of forming large reef-like aggregations. One species, Idanthyrsus cretus, has recently been found in several localities during surveys of Las Perlas Archipelago, Pacific Panama. Large reefs of this species have not been recorded elsewhere in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The reef distribution patterns were examined and mapped with the aid of Geographical Information Systems. Principal Component Analysis showed that the distribution of polychaete reefs in Las Perlas Archipelago and the reef building itself seem to be mainly dependent on depth, suitable substrate, and topography, the potential particle size for tube building, and wave exposure. Cluster analysis of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA with Polymerase Chain Reaction molecular techniques demonstrated that the polychaete reefs in Las Perlas Archipelago may be derived from one population.
and Prowse, Alicia (2021) Universities as 'global citizens': reflections and learning from a project on female leadership for sustainable development of fishing communities in Colombia.
Estimations of the ocean acidification-OA effects on marine environments indicate that coral reefs' structure will collapse. This study aimed to determine the effects of OA, and its associated carbon chemistry in the sea water, on corals near the Colombian Caribbean city of Cartagena, taking as model organisms of the species Porites astreoides and P. porites. For each species, the effect of OA on bleaching, survival, and calcification was determined using artificial systems with pH of 7.879 ± 0.004 and 7.789 ± 0.007. The results showed that under the first pH, the bleaching of P. astreoides increased by 24.92% and its survival decreased by 80.56%, while at lowest pH, bleaching increased in 32.78% and survival decreased by 87.5%. In the case of P. porites, at first pH bleaching increased by 29.42% and survival decreased by 30.56% and at the lowest, bleaching increased in 37.32% and survival decreased by 13.39%. In both species, calcification was reduced in more than 90% at 7.879 ± 0.004 and their skeleton began to dissolve at 7.789 ± 0.007. This study represents the first effort to determine OA effects on Colombian Caribbean's marine biota.
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