Scientists have recently reported that a combination of extreme heat stress and a rare outbreak of Black Band Disease has destroyed nearly 75 per cent of Goniopora coral colonies at a site on the Great Barrier Reef.
About Goniopora Coral
Goniopora, commonly known as flowerpot coral or daisy coral, is a type of hard coral belonging to the Poritidae family. It is known for its striking appearance, as its polyps resemble the petals of a flower.
Physical Characteristics
Goniopora coral colonies consist of small branching columns, which are generally oval in transverse section.
The polyps can range from a few centimetres to several centimetres in diameter, giving the coral its distinctive floral appearance.
Habitat and Distribution
Goniopora typically inhabits lagoons and turbid reef environments.
It is considered relatively thermally tolerant, allowing it to survive across a range of temperature conditions compared to many other coral species.
Nutrition and Symbiosis
Goniopora is a photosynthetic coral and derives part of its nutrition from sunlight.
It maintains a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates known as zooxanthellae, which live within the coral’s tissues and supply energy through photosynthesis.
The coral can thrive under a wide range of lighting conditions.
Feeding Behaviour
In addition to photosynthesis, Goniopora is predatory in nature.
It captures small organisms from the surrounding water to supplement its nutritional needs.
Black Band Disease
Black Band Disease is a bacterial necrotic infection that attacks living coral tissue.
The disease forms a distinct black band that moves across the coral surface, usually resulting in the death of the colony.
Distribution and Causes
The disease is commonly observed in Caribbean reefs but is rare in Australian waters.
It is often associated with pollution, nutrient runoff, and degraded water quality, which create favourable conditions for the disease-causing bacteria.
Significance
The large-scale loss of Goniopora corals due to combined climate stress and disease highlights the increasing vulnerability of coral reef ecosystems under global warming and environmental pollution.