Exploring the Vital Role of Coral Disease in Coral Reef Sustainability: A Comprehensive Analysis
K S Susmaa
Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
J M Jeni
Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
A Prasanna
Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
D Manikandavelu
Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
B R Sona *
Department of Fisheries Environment, Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
K Masilan
Department of Fish Processing Technology, Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
B Mahalakshmi
Department of Fisheries Environment, Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Coral reefs are one of the most bio diverse ecosystems in the world. These are also regarded as one of the major productive ecosystem. The commonly reported threats to coral health include bleaching, over exploitation of fish stocks, destructive fishing and the rapid man-made development in the coastal areas. These environmental impacts have paved the way to the emergence of coral disease and are considered as the most serious issue of coral reefs deterioration. Globally, the major diseases affecting corals are Black band disease, White band disease, Aspergillosis, Dark spot disease, Stony coral disease, Pink line syndrome, Yellow band disease, and Skeletal eroding diseases. In this paper, all the diseases affecting the corals are elaborately discussed.
Keywords: Coral reefs, scleratianians, zooxanthellae, mortality, causative organism