Coral diseases and associated photosynthetic responses around Rodrigues Island, Western Indian Ocean

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Published: 2025-09-13
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/oceanlife/o090203
Keywords:
Chlorophyll fluorescence, coral disease, PAM, photo-physiology, Rodrigues Island, species-specific vulnerability
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SHAKEEL YAVAN JOGEE ♥
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
MARWYN ANASAMY
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
SRUTI JEETUN
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
MELANIE RICOT
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
MAUKSHADA RAMKALAM
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
ASHFAAQ KORIMBOCUS
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
DEEPEEKA KAULLYSING
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius
BERNARDO NASCIMENTO
Odysseo Foundation and Oceanarium (Mauritius) Ltd. Les Salines Harbour Waterfront, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius
BEATRIZ ESTELA CASARETO
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University. Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
YOSHIMI SUZUKI
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University. Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
DIAH PERMATA WIJAYANTI
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro. Jl. Prof. Soedarto SH, Semarang 50275, Central Java, Indonesia
RANJEET BHAGOOLI
Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science and Pole of Research Excellence in Sustainable Marine Biodiversity, University of Mauritius

Abstract

Abstract. Jogee SY, Anasamy M, Jeetun S, Ricot M, Ramkalam M, Korimbocus A, Kaullysing D, Nascimento B, Casareto BE, Suzuki Y, Wijayanti DP, Bhagooli R. 2025. Coral diseases and associated photosynthetic responses around Rodrigues Island, Western Indian Ocean. Indo Pac J Ocean Life 9: 100-110. The coral reefs of Rodrigues Island are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) but are increasingly threatened by coral diseases. While disease prevalence has been documented, its physiological impacts remain poorly understood. This study assessed the photo-physiological responses of four reef-building coral species (Montipora sp., Platygyra sp., Acropora sp., Favia sp.) affected by Black Band Disease (BBD), Skeletal Eroding Band (SEB), White Band (WB), and White Syndrome (WS). Coral fragments containing both diseased and visually healthy tissues were collected from four sites and analyzed in situ using a Junior-Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Parameters measured included maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), maximum non-photochemical quenching (NPQmax), initial slope before saturation (?), post-saturation slope (?), and minimum saturating irradiance (Ik), derived from rapid light curves. Diseased tissues generally exhibited reduced photosynthetic performance, with BBD in Montipora sp. and SEB in Favia sp. showing the most pronounced declines in Fv/Fm and ?, along with altered ? and NPQmax values. In contrast, WB and WS had limited or non-significant effects on the measured parameters. These results highlight disease and species-specific vulnerabilities, indicating that some coral-algal symbioses are more susceptible to functional impairment. In the context of climate change, disease-driven stress could accelerate reef degradation, especially in isolated islands like Rodrigues. Integrating photo-physiological monitoring into routine reef health surveys can enhance early detection of functional decline, guide species-targeted restoration, and strengthen adaptive management strategies to safeguard the resilience of Rodrigues’ reefs and other WIO coral ecosystems.

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Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025)

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