Marine Science Faculty Publications
Bleaching in a Reef-dwelling Foraminifer, Amphistegina gibbosa
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1993
Keywords
ICRS7, Stress, Bleaching, Amphistegina gibbosa, Foraminifera
Abstract
In field collections from reefs off Key Largo, Florida, in September 199 1, 80% of living adolescent and adult Amphistegina gibbosa, a larger foraminifer that hosts diatom endosymbionts, ex- hibited either mottling or extensive symbiont-color loss. Many Cnidaria in the vicinity also were bleached. Comparison of September and Novem- ber abundance and size-frequency data indicated high mortality, particularly in bleached size classes. Although the cause of bleaching in A. gibbosa has yet to be determined, laboratory observations in- dicate that this species may be vulnerable to ele- vated ultraviolet radiation. In 199 1, volcanic aero- sols globally reduced visible and infrared radiation and promoted stratospheric ozone depletion, thereby increasing UV radiation reaching the sea surface.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Proceedings of the 7th International Coral Reef Symposium, v. 1, p. 44-49
Scholar Commons Citation
Hallock, Pamela; Talge, H. K.; Smith, K.; and Cockey, E. M., "Bleaching in a Reef-dwelling Foraminifer, Amphistegina gibbosa" (1993). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1226.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1226
