Stony coral diseases observed in southwestern Caribbean reefs

Thirteen reef areas of Colombian territories in the Southwestern Caribbean were surveyed during, the last 10 years. Coral diseases have been recorded in all these are as since 1990 and some of them have increased progressively. Six types were differentiated in the region, of which black band disease (BBD), dark spots, disease (DSD), white band disease (WBD) and white plague disease (WPD) are widespread and common. Yellow band disease (YBD) was observed only since April 1998 but has been found now in seven reef areas and eight coral species (most of then] recorded here as new hosts). In total, 25 species of hard corals were observed with diseases in the region, of which Colpophyllia natans, Diploria labyrinthformis, Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata, M, franksi and Acropora spp. appear to be highly susceptible.