Guzman,-H.M.; Cortes,-J.  (Mass death of Gorgonia flabellum  
	L. (Octocorallia: Gorgonidae) on the Caribbean coast of 
	Costa Rica.).  REV.-BIOL.-TROP. 1984. vol. 32, no. 2, 
	pp. 305-308.

During 1982, the population of the coral Gorgonia flabellum  
started to die on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Seven 
possible causes were analyzed: temperature-salinity 
variation, sedimentation, predation, wave action, bioerosion, 
pollution and diseases. The pathology of "Black band" disease 
coincides with observations. Death of other Octocorallia was 
not observed. This is the first time that mass mortality of 
G. flabellum  is reported.