. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. LOWER MARINE FUNGUS IN STAR CORALS 431 diseased area (reefs of Cayo Sombrero in Morrocoy Park and reefs of Cayo Mosquito in Los Roques Park). Coral heads were collected and fixed in solution for twenty-four hours. The fixative used was a modification of the formula given by McDowell and Trump (1977). The ingredients used were: 2 ml of 50% glutaraldehyde; 10 ml of 40% formaldehyde; 50 ml of filtered sea water; and 39 ml of filtered tap water. Ambient filtered sea water was used instead of the recommended buffer (sodium phosph
. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. LOWER MARINE FUNGUS IN STAR CORALS 431 diseased area (reefs of Cayo Sombrero in Morrocoy Park and reefs of Cayo Mosquito in Los Roques Park). Coral heads were collected and fixed in solution for twenty-four hours. The fixative used was a modification of the formula given by McDowell and Trump (1977). The ingredients used were: 2 ml of 50% glutaraldehyde; 10 ml of 40% formaldehyde; 50 ml of filtered sea water; and 39 ml of filtered tap water. Ambient filtered sea water was used instead of the recommended buffer (sodium phosphate monobasic). The pH was adjusted to with NaOH. The tissues were stored in alcohol until processed. Small pieces of tissue were decalcified in Von Eber's decal (50 ml of 36% Nad; 42 ml of distilled water and 8 ml of concentrated HC1). Small coral pieces took three days to decalcify, larger pieces took up to seven days and the decalcifying baths were changed daily. After decalcification, the tissues were washed, dehydrated in graded alcohols, and embedded in JB-4 (Polysciences), a glycol methacrylate polymer. Sec- tions cut microns thick were stained with toluidine blue O, methylene blue and borax dissolved in distilled water. The solution was prepared by adding 250 mg of toluidine blue O, 250 mg of methylene blue and 250 mg of borax to 100 ml of distilled water. Other histological stains (Periodic acid Schiff, Giemsa, alcian blue and PAS at pH and pH ) were used also, as well as Grocott's method for fungi (GMS). The procedures for these stains are described in Luna (1968). After staining, the sections were mounted on plastic-coated slides, covered with a mounting medium and a cover slip, and examined under the microscope. RESULTS Identification of the disease in the field The gross appearance of the disease in the field is a dark (black) line separating the dead from the living tissue in a coral head (Fig. 3). The upper coral skeleton. FIGURE 3. Gross appearanc
Size: 1783px × 1402px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorlilliefrankrat, booksubjectbiology, booksubjectzoology
