Cortes,-J.; Murillo,-M.M.; Guzman,-H.M.; Acuna,-J.  Loss of 
	zooxanthellae and death of corals and other reef 
	organisms on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa 
	Rica	(SPA).  REV.-BIOL.-TROP. 1984. vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 
	227-231.

Since June, 1983 many corals and other reef organisms on the 
Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica were observed to 
be bleached, due to loss of their symbiotic zooxanthellae. 
Some of the corals recovered by the end of October. 
Observations, mainly at Parque Nacional Cahuita, Limon 
(Caribbean coast), were not conclusive as to the causative 
agent for this massive death. High water temperatures, 
combined with other environmental stresses, could be 
responsible, since in June 1983, temperatures of 33 and 35 
degree C were recorded at Cahuita. Apparently the boring 
sponge Cliona caribbea  profited by the massive death of 
these corals.