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Coral
Disease Identification and Information Main | Ecology | Microbiology of Pathogens | Susceptible Species | Microbial Consortium | Cause of Coral Death | Verification | Management Microbiology of Pathogens It is well known that the black band microbial consortium consists of numerous members of photosynthetic, heterotrophic, and sulfur cycle bacteria. This community has recently been characterized using molecular techniques. Three of the major functional members are populations of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, and both sulfide-oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Phormidium corallyticum is a gliding, filamentous cyanobacterium (“bluegreen alga”). It contains a red photosynthetic pigment (phycoerythrin) that makes the band community dark. This member is photosynthetic. *** Click images to view full sized high resolution image ***
Beggiatoa is a bacterial genus that grows by combining sulfide with oxygen. Granules of elemental sulfur, produced in the reaction, are deposited inside cells – these are highly reflective, making this member of the consortium appear pure white.
Sulfate reducers (green cells) produce sulfide within the band. This toxic substance has been shown to kill coral tissue.
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