DAO 130:77-81 (2018)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03258

ABSTRACT: Coral growth anomalies (GAs) are chronic diseases that adversely affect organism health and fitness. We investigated immunity and fecundity within and among GA-affected and visually healthy control colonies of the reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus. Compared to controls, GAs had higher activity of the key immunity enzyme phenoloxidase (PO), suggesting a localised immune response within the GA. Both GAs and healthy tissue of GA-affected colonies had significantly greater total potential PO (tpPO)—PO activity inclusive of the activated latent PO, prophenoloxidase—than control colonies. Higher tpPO activity in GA-affected corals suggests elevated constitutive immunity compared to visually healthy controls. Additionally, fewer GA-affected colonies produced gametes, fewer polyps had oocytes (p < 0.001) and the number of oocytes per polyp was lower. Therefore, GAs in A. hyacinthus might induce, or represent a shift in resource investment towards immunity and away from reproduction. While the effect on population growth is likely to be small, reduced fecundity in GA-affected colonies does suggest a selective pressure against GAs.

KEY WORDS: Coral reefs · Fecundity · Growth anomaly · Prophenoloxidase · Phenoloxidase · Reproduction · Tumor · Immunity

Full text in pdf format

Cite this article as: Palmer CV, Baird AH (2018) Coral tumor-like growth anomalies induce an immune response and reduce fecundity. Dis Aquat Org 130:77-81. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03258 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn