- my reply to Joopercoopers
- http://www.springerlink.com/content/t24211758q662808/ Spatial Epidemiology of Caribbean Yellow Band Syndrome in Montastrea spp. Coral in the Eastern Yucatan, Mexico]
- Yellow band in the Caribbean
- Yellow blotch - NOAA
- yellow botch - google
Oculina varicosa, also known as ivory tree coral is a slow growing species of cold-water coral which grows in the deep waters of the continental shelf edge along Florida's central east coast. It forms huge thickets that are idea spawning grounds for fish and also provides a biodiverse environment for macro invertebrates and reef-dwelling species.[1]
Growth edit
Oculina varicosa grows delicate branch-like stems that form thick clusters that provided high biodiversity and spawning sites for many species of fish, including economically important species such grouper, red snapper gag and scamp. This coral lives in deepwater colonies that may grow several meters in diameter and form a thicket–like habitat. Some deepwater Oculina reefs are believed to be at least 1,526 years old.[2]
Habitat edit
Oculina varicosa tends to live on limestone pinnacles in water that is 50 m or more in depth. They are white in color at these depths because they depend on free swimming food, lacking zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that provide shallow water corals with nutrition and color. Oculina reefs typically occur in rising regions on the continential shelf edge. Scientific studies have shown a very high diversity of invertebrates, with hundreds of species represented in the interstices of Oculina coral.
Notes edit
- ^ "NOAA's Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS) - Deep Water Corals". coris.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
- ^ "Oculina Bank". www.safmc.net. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
- google Whie Plague disease
- Laguna de Términos
- Laguna de Terminos
- and currents in a two-inlet coastal lagoon: Laguna de Términos, México
- "Laguna de Términos". na.oceana.org. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
{{cite web}}: Text "Oceana North America" ignored (help) - "Athena Review Image Archive: Laguna de Terminos: Satellite image and map of Maya sites". www.athenapub.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- "Laguna de Términos Flora and Fauna Protection Area - Park Profile - Threats". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
