WHITE POX Meaning and
Definition
-
White pox is a term used to describe a devastating coral disease that affects several species of reef-building corals. It is caused by the bacterium Serratia marcescens, which infects the coral tissues and leads to the characteristic white lesions observed on the coral surfaces. The disease is so named due to the conspicuous white appearance of the affected areas, which contrast with the healthy coral tissue.
White pox predominantly affects the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), one of the major reef-building corals in the Caribbean. It first gained attention in the early 1990s when significant outbreaks were observed in the Florida Keys, but it has since spread to other locations in the Caribbean Sea.
The disease is thought to be primarily transmitted through direct contact between healthy and infected corals, potentially facilitated by certain marine organisms such as snails or worms. It can also spread through water currents or via human activities, such as unintentional introduction of infected materials.
White pox is a highly destructive disease, leading to the death of large sections of coral colonies, and even complete coral mortality in severe cases. Its rapid spread and the significant loss of coral cover it causes have major implications for the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems, as corals play a vital role in providing habitat and resources for a wide range of marine organisms.
Efforts are ongoing to study and understand the factors contributing to white pox in order to develop effective management strategies to mitigate its impact and protect coral reefs from further degradation.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for WHITE POX
- qhite pox
- ahite pox
- shite pox
- ehite pox
- 3hite pox
- 2hite pox
- wgite pox
- wbite pox
- wnite pox
- wjite pox
- wuite pox
- wyite pox
- whute pox
- whjte pox
- whkte pox
- whote pox
- wh9te pox
- wh8te pox
- whire pox
- whife pox
Similar spelling words for WHITE POX
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
