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Coral
Disease Identification and Information Disease Overview The microalgal species Entocladia endozoica (Chlorophyta) infects the skeleton of gorgonian corals (genus Pseudoplexaura) in Florida and the Caribbean. Host tissues react to the presence of algal filaments by producing a capsule composed primarily of scleroprotein skeleton, and secondarily of calcareous sclerites. The skeletal capsule separates the algae from contact with host tissue, but in doing so the skeleton loses more than 60% of its tensile strength and over 90% of its elasticity. The coral colony readily breaks apart at the site of the weakened skeleton exposing the algae to relatively high light fields and sea water, an amino acid-depleted environment. These conditions lead to rapid cytological changes in the filaments and the development of reproductive structures containing gametes or zoospores. Regeneration of damaged host tissue re-seals the capsule and causes resumption of the vegetative condition typical of the enclosed algae. Experiments with native and cultured material suggest that host-derived amino acids, especially tyrosine or cystine, play a key role in regulating the reproductive condition of Entocladia filaments.
Infected Colony
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