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The Ecology and Etiology of Newly Emerging Marine Diseases pp 105–111Cite as

Characterization of Aspergillus sydowii (Thom et Church), a fungal pathogen of Caribbean sea fan corals

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Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 159))

Abstract

In the Caribbean, the fungus Aspergillus sydowii is currently causing an epizootic among sea fan corals (Gorgonia spp.). To elucidate potential factors that may have facilitated the emergence of this disease, we characterized and compared temperature requirements, susceptibility to coral crude extracts, and metabolic profiles of pathogenic (marine) and non-pathogenic (terrestrial) strains of A. sydowii Growth of all A. sydowii strains were observed at all temperatures tested (22–36°C) with an optimum of approximately 30°C. Sea fan crude extracts inhibited growth of A. sydowii but were less effective at higher temperatures. Thus, temperature is likely to have a strong influence on the dynamics of the Gorgonia-Aspergillus interaction by promoting the growth of the pathogen while reducing the efficacy of host resistance. Metabolically, marine A. sydowii strains pathogenic to sea fans were distinct from non-pathogenic terrestrial strains.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Alisa P. Alker & Kiho Kim

  2. Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina, Aiken, SC, 29801, USA

    Garriet W. Smith

Authors
  1. Alisa P. Alker
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  2. Garriet W. Smith
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  3. Kiho Kim
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Correspondence to Kiho Kim .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA

    James W. Porter

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Alker, A.P., Smith, G.W., Kim, K. (2001). Characterization of Aspergillus sydowii (Thom et Church), a fungal pathogen of Caribbean sea fan corals. In: Porter, J.W. (eds) The Ecology and Etiology of Newly Emerging Marine Diseases. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 159. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3284-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3284-0_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5930-7

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