Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Results in Persistent Microbial-Level Disturbances on Coral Reef Ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has reduced coral diversity and homogenised benthic communities. Beyond coral loss, SCTLD may disrupt microbiome composition and function, affecting reef recovery. We examined microbiome changes of apparently healthy corals, water, and sediment at three patch reefs in the Lower Florida Keys during three SCTLD stages: before (vulnerable), during (epidemic), and after (endemic) the outbreak. SCTLD significantly altered microbial diversity and functional potential within apparently healthy corals and the surrounding reef environment. In corals, microbial alpha and beta diversity were highest at the vulnerable stage before declining by the endemic stage, indicating lingering impacts of SCTLD on microbial diversity. Network neighbour and betweenness analy

SUBMITTER: Rosales SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12719614 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature