Coral disease prevalence in Gulf of Mannar and Lakshadweep Islands

Abstract

Coral disease prevalence was higher in Coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar (GOM) (Kurusadai= 23.42% and Manoli = 15.23%) than in the Lakshadweep group (Kavaratti = 11.2% and Agatti= 9.65%). white band, white pox, white plague, pink line syndrome, pink spot, yellow band, fungal blotch, black band and necrotic patches were all observed during the survey. Pink spot disease (35.08%) was the most prevalent disease among other observed infections. Massive corals especially <i>Porites </i> Spp. was highly affected (18.2%) and followed by <i> Pocillopora </i> (6%) <i> Acropora </i> (5.3%),<i> Goniastrea </i> (3.6%),<i> Favia </i> (3.5%), <i> Montipora </i> (2.3%) <i>, Favia </i> (3.5%),<i> Galaxea </i> (1.3%) and <i> Fungia </i> (0.89%) <i>. </i> Massive corals were found more susceptible to diseases than branching corals. High levels of new mortality and disease prevalence at Kavaratti and Agatti islands suggests that the coral reefs of Lakshadweep are facing increasing pressure from a variety of stresses.