White pox manifests as irregular white patches or blotches on coral, which are a direct result of lost coral tissue.
Understanding White Pox Disease on Corals
White pox disease, also known scientifically as acroporid serratiosis or patchy necrosis, is a significant coral disease primarily affecting Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata). Its visual characteristics are distinctive and serve as a key indicator of its presence on a coral colony.
Visual Characteristics of White Pox
When white pox impacts coral, its appearance is marked by several key features:
- Irregular White Patches: The most striking sign is the emergence of white areas that lack a uniform shape. These can appear as random spots or larger, undefined areas across the coral's surface.
- Blotches: The white areas often resemble diffused splotches rather than neat, well-defined lesions, giving them an erratic or spread-out look.
- Tissue Loss: The white color is not merely a discoloration; it signifies the underlying coral skeleton being exposed due to the loss of living coral tissue. This exposure of the white skeleton is precisely what gives the disease its name.
The disease was initially identified in 1996 on coral reefs near the Florida Keys and has since been observed to impact Elkhorn coral across the entire Caribbean region. The progressive loss of tissue can severely damage or even lead to the death of affected coral colonies.
Summary of White Pox Appearance
To summarize the visual aspects of white pox:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Visual | Irregular white patches or blotches |
| Cause | Direct loss of living coral tissue |
| Affected Coral | Primarily Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) |
| Other Names | Acroporid serratiosis, patchy necrosis |
