Review: Marine Ecology - Emerging Marine Diseases - Climate Links and Anthropogenic Factors
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-3-2012
Department
Marine Science
Abstract
Mass mortalities due to disease outbreaks have recently affected major taxa in the oceans. For closely monitored groups like corals and marine mammals, reports of the frequency of epidemics and the number of new diseases have increased recently. A dramatic global increase in the severity of coral bleaching in 1997-98 is coincident with high El Nino temperatures. Such climate-mediated, physiological stresses may compromise host resistance and increase frequency of opportunistic diseases. Where documented, new diseases typically have emerged through host or range shifts of known pathogens. Both climate and human activities may have also accelerated global transport of species, bringing together pathogens and previously unexposed host populations.
Publication Title
Science
Volume
285
Issue
5433
First Page
1505
Last Page
1510
Recommended Citation
Harvell, C.,
Kim, K.,
Burkholder, J.,
Colwell, R.,
Epstein, P.,
Grimes, D.,
Hofmann, E.,
Lipp, E.,
Osterhaus, A.,
Overstreet, R. M.,
Porter, J.,
Smith, G.,
Vasta, G.
(2012). Review: Marine Ecology - Emerging Marine Diseases - Climate Links and Anthropogenic Factors. Science, 285(5433), 1505-1510.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/4758