Resistance and robustness of the global coral-symbiont network.

Increasing ocean temperatures have widespread consequences for coral reefs, one of which is coral bleaching. We analyzed a global network of associations between coral species and Symbiodiniaceae for resistance to temperature stress and robustness to perturbations. Null networks were created by changing either the physiological parameters of the nodes or the structures of the networks.

Decline in coral cover and flattening of the reefs around Mauritius (1998-2010).

Coral reefs are degrading through the impacts of multiple anthropogenic stressors. How are coral reef communities going to change and how to protect them for future generations are important conservation questions. Using coral reef data from Mauritius, we examined changes in cover in 23 benthic groups for a 13-yr period and at 15 sites.

Zooplankton as a potential vector for white band disease transmission in the endangered coral, .

Coral diseases are a leading factor contributing to the global decline of coral reefs, and yet mechanisms of disease transmission remain poorly understood. This study tested whether zooplankton can act as a vector for white band disease (WBD) in . Natural zooplankton communities were collected from a coral reef in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

PATTERNS OF WHOLE COLONY PREY CAPTURE IN THE OCTOCORAL, ALCYONIUM SIDERIUM.

Colonies of a boreal octocoral, Alcyonium siderium, preferentially catch prey on specific regions of the colony at certain flow speeds of low turbulence. Colonies feeding on brine shrimp cysts capture prey preferentially on the upstream side of the colony under low flow conditions (2.5 cm · s).