The population structure of benthic marine organisms is of central relevance to the conservation and management of these often threatened species, as well as to the accurate understanding of their ecological and evolutionary dynamics. A growing body of evidence suggests that marine populations can be structured over short distances despite theoretically high dispersal potential. Yet the proposed mechanisms governing this struc...

We attempt to identify the mechanism by which nitrogen enrichment increases the prevalence of aspergillosis, a disease caused by the terrestrial fungus Aspergillus sydowii , which infects sea fan corals ( Gorgonia ventalina ) throughout the Caribbean, by looking at the metabolic capabilities of the pathogen to (1) determine whether A. sydowii can catabolize sea fan‐derived nitrogen, (2) ascertain fungal preference for differen...

Summary Reef‐building corals are comprised of close associations between the coral animal, symbiotic zooxanthellae, and a diversity of associated microbes (including Bacteria, Archaea and Fungi). Together, these comprise the coral holobiont – a paradigm that emphasizes the potential contributions of each component to the overall function and health of the coral. Little is known about the ecology of the coral‐associated microbi...

Recent outbreaks of new diseases in many ecosystems are caused by novel pathogens, impaired host immunity, or changing environmental conditions. Identifying the source of emergent pathogens is critical for mitigating the impacts of diseases, and understanding the cause of their recent appearances. One ecosystem suffering outbreaks of disease in the past decades is coral reefs, where pathogens such as the fungus Aspergillus syd...