A New Disease in Reef-Dwelling Forminifera: Implications for Coastal Sedimentation

Pamela Hallock, Helen K. Talge, Elizabeth M. Cockey, Robert G. Muller, Pamela Hallock Muller

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Abstract

A new disease is afflicting Amphistegina spp., foraminifera whose shells produce up to 90% of the sand-sized sediments in nearshore zones of some Indo-Pacific islands. Disease symptoms have been prevalent in A. gibbosa in the Florida Keys since summer 1991, and were seen in both Caribbean and Indo-Pacific species in 1992-93. Although cause of the disease is undetermined, field and laboratory data indicate that solar irradiance may be a factor. Whatever the cause, implications for coastal sedimentation will be serious if Indo-Pacific populations ever sustain long-term damage of the magnitude seen in the Florida Keys in 1992-93.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Foraminiferal Research
Volume25
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 1995

Disciplines

  • Life Sciences

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