Episode 402: Mysterious Microbes

They are some the ocean’s tiniest inhabitants. On coral reefs, microorganisms are copious creatures. But in a world that’s invisible to the naked eye, drastic changes are taking place. Throughout Florida, scientists painstakingly work to identify key players within this microbial community. Recent breakthroughs revealed a direct link between a human pathogen and a devastating coral disease. With corals under immense stress, experts are using advanced genetic tools and a former aquarium “pest” to better comprehend these microscopic organisms. With experimental sites in the lab and in the sea, what will microbes reveal about coral health? How do human activities impact the microbial balance on the reef?

Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.

Episode Photos

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Videographer/Editor Sean Hickey films Kim Ritchie, Ph.D. as she collects mucus samples from elkhorn coral.

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Kim Ritchie, Ph.D. collects mucus samples from a diseased coral.

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Tubes containing coral mucus are labeled to prevent the cross contamination of microbes.

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Plates containing coral mucus bacteria incubate overnight for culture testing.

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Experts at Rollins College tested various human pathogens such as E.coli and Serratia marcescens as possible causes for the coral disease known as White Pox.

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Coral disease microbiologist, Kathryn Sutherland, Ph.D. uses a microscope to study various coral microbes.

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Series Producer Alexa Elliott assists during filming of “Mysterious Microbes” at Rollins College.

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Kathryn Sutherland, Ph.D. applies various lysing chemicals to coral mucus samples as part of the DNA extraction process.

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University of Florida graduate student William Zaragoza points to sea anemones that are used in various coral disease experiments.

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Scientists at UF use sea anemones (Aiptasia pallida) as laboratory models for various coral disease experiments.

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Experts place a sea anemone (Aiptasia pallida) in a 6-well plate as part of their research on coral disease behavior.

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Scientists infect a sea anemone (Aiptasia pallida) with bacteria from diseased corals to monitor disease progression.

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University of Florida graduate student Cory Krediet conducts genetic experiments with coral bacteria to learn more about coral disease behavior.

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University of Florida graduate student Cory Krediet sterilizes his lab tools to prevent cross contamination of coral microbes during various experiments.

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Scientists culture Serratia marcescens for use in various coral disease experiments. This bacterium is known to cause white pox disease on Elkhorn corals.

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University of Florida graduate student Cory Krediet prepares culture plates for experiments with bacteria from coral mucus.

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Researchers from Florida International University near Pickles Reef in Key Largo, Florida.

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Crew members Allan Farrell (center) and Nick Ogle (right) capture the shot as Deron Burkepile, Ph.D. from FIU prepares for his dive.

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Science divers from FIU spread barrier nets to collect coral-eating fish. Studies are looking at select species of fish as possible transmitters of disease among corals.

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Deron Burkepile, Ph.D. from FIU uses hand nets to collect parrotfish for studies on coral disease transmission.

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Researchers from FIU collect parrotfish for studies that examine these marine animals as possible transmitters of disease among corals.

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Researchers collect coral-eating fish for studies on bacterial transmission between diseased corals.

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Scientists collect bacteria from the mouths of coral-eating fish. Experts are studying fish as possible transmitters of disease among corals.

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Allan Farrell, Changing Seas Videographer/Editor films Deron Burkepile, Ph.D. near an experimental “exclusion” cage.

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Scientist from FIU use “exclusion" cages to keep herbivorous fish away from select corals.

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Experimental cages made from plastic-coated chicken wire keep large herbivorous fish away from select corals.

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Researchers from FIU use garden fertilizer in PVC pipes for experiments that mimic agricultural runoff and other ocean pollution issues.

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Allan Farrell, Changing Seas Videographer/Editor in Key Largo, Florida, during production of “Mysterious Microbes.”

Special Thanks:

Courtyard Marriott
730 N. Magnolia Avenue
Orlando FL 32803
(407) 996-1000

Holiday Inn-University Center
1250 W. University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 376-1661

Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center
27340 Overseas Highway
Ramrod Key, FL 33042
(305) 872-2215

Partial Pressure
Diving Company
9 Ocean Shores Drive
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 394-4580

The Pelican Inn
99340 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 451-3576

Pirate Island Divers
1038000 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 453-9881

Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Deron Burkepile, Ph.D.
Florida International University

Christina Kellogg
U.S. Geological Survey

Cory Krediet
University of Florida

Mike Grey
U.S. Geological Survey

Matt Patterson
National Park Service

James Porter, Ph.D.
University of Georgia

Andy Shantz
Florida International University

Kathryn Sutherland
Rollins College

Max Teplitski
University of Florida- IFAS

William Zaragoza
University of Florida

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

CDC –Public Health Image Library
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Janice Carr

6689

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Dr. Terrence Tumpey