Award: OCE-1928609

Coral reefs in the US Virgin Islands are in the third year of a deadly outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). This collaborative project brought together ecologists, physiologists, molecular scientists, and modelers to further our understanding of how this disease transmits in reef communities. One outcome of this study is an improved understanding of how coral animals and their symbiotic algae respond to this disease. Further, using epidemiological and hydrodynamic modeling, we now understand that ocean currents play a major role in the dispersal of this disease between coral reefs. This information will support ongoing efforts to identify the etiological agent(s) of SCTLD, and specifically clarify the role of filamentous viruses that infect symbiotic algae. Our findings will also inform current and future disease mitigation and coral reef restoration activities. This project has resulted in a peer-reviewed manuscripts (Meiling et al. 2021) with several additional manuscripts currently in preparation, a presentation to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (Galveston, TX), and at least four anticipated collaborative oral presentations at the 14th International Coral Reef Symposium (2022). The project has supported two undergraduate researchers at Rice University. This project has also led to a successful additional proposal to NSF’s Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease Program. A BCO-DMO site was created for the project data and can be found here: https://www.bco-dmo.org/project/811115. Last Modified: 11/18/2021 Submitted by: Adrienne Simoes Correa