As mentioned earlier, we had the unfortunate opportunity to dive at Peros Banhos both before (30˚C) and during (31˚C) a bleaching event. Had I known we would have this opportunity, I would have tagged colonies to be sampled twice. Unfortunately, the best I’ve got is corals from the same reef sampled at both times (n=4 sites: 69, 70, 72, and 74). I am going to analyze the proteomes of P. acuta colonies sampled before and during bleaching in 2019, and it is worth noting that not all colonies had bleached upon our return in late April and early May. I also have a mix of S. hystrix samples that did (n=7) or did NOT (n=20) resist bleaching (latter sampling time only).

Sites 69, 70, 72, and 74 were all sampled+surveyed both before and during a bleaching event.

BiPb110 (2015-04-30) This was out first dive to this leeward lagoonal channel where, where one P. damicornis (ChPd150) and one Seriatopora sp. (ChSe156) were sampled.

ChPd150

One of about 10-15 colonies that was genotyped (RFLP) as P. damicornis but must surely be P. acuta.

ChSe156

BiPb70b (2015-05-1) Our first re-visit to a badly bleaching leeward lagoonal patch reef site. Five P. damicornis (ChPd151-155) and three Seriatopora spp. (ChSe157-159) were sampled; although none of the P. damicornis colonies had bleached, all of the seriatoporids had. Also note that, although the pocilloporids were genotyped via RFLP as P. damicornis, they certainly look like P. acuta.

ChPd151

Genotyped as P. damicornis, but sure looks like P. acuta to me….

ChPd152

Genotyped as P. damicornis (looks like P. acuta, though).

ChPd153

One of about 10-15 colonies that was genotyped (RFLP) as P. damicornis but must surely be P. acuta.

ChPd154

One of about 10-15 colonies that was genotyped (RFLP) as P. damicornis but must surely be P. acuta.

ChPd155

One of about 10-15 colonies that was genotyped (RFLP) as P. damicornis but must surely be P. acuta.

ChSe157

ChSe158

ChSe159

BiPb72b (2015-05-1) A re-visit to a series of badly bleaching back reef pinnacles. Two P. damicornis (ChPd156 [bleached] and ChPd157 [unbleached]) and five Seriatopora spp. (ChSe160-164) were sampled; although only one of the two P. damicornis colonies had bleached, all five seriatoporids had (ChSe163 being the exception). Also note that, although the pocilloporids were genotyped via RFLP as P. damicornis, they certainly look like P. acuta.

ChPd156-bleached

genotyped as P. damicornis but sure looks like P. acuta to me.

ChPd157

genotyped as P. damicornis but appears as P. acuta.

ChSe160-bleached

ChSe161-bleached

ChSe162-bleaching

ChSe163

ChSe164

BiPb74b (2015-05-1) A re-visit to a badly bleaching leeward lagoonal patch reef. Three unbleached P. damicornis (ChPd158-160) and one completely bleached Seriatopora sp. (ChSe165-the only one seen at the site) colonies were sampled. Note that, although the pocilloporids were genotyped via RFLP as P. damicornis, they certainly look like P. acuta.

ChPd158-healthy

Genotyped as P. damicornis but appears as P. acuta.

ChPd159-healthy

Genotyped as P. damicornis but appears as P. acuta.

ChPd160-bleached

Genotyped as P. damicornis, though appears as P. acuta.

ChSe165-bleached

BiPb111 (2015-05-01) did not dive at this leeward lagoonal channel reef.

BiPb69c (2015-05-02) Our third dive to this leeward lagoonal patch reef (the first during the bleaching event). Six P. acuta/damicornis (ChPd161-166) and five Seriatopora spp. (ChSe166-170) colonies were sampled.

ChPd161

Genotyped as P. damicornis, though appears as P. acuta.

ChPd162

Genotyped as P. damicornis though appears as P. acuta.

ChPd163

Genotyped as P. damicornis, though appears as P. acuta. Also appeared partially bleached.

ChPd164

Genotyped as P. damicornis, though appears as P. acuta.

ChPa165

P. acuta

ChPd166

Genotyped as P. damicornis, though appears as P. acuta. I don’t think it’s bleached; the dinoflagellates have just not populated the new growth.

ChSe166

A fairly darkly pigmented colony in an area dominated by bleaching corals.

ChSe167

This colony is partially bleached, with some pigmentation still evident in the macro images. Sampled adjacent P. acuta colony (ChPa162).

ChSe168

It is the less bleached colony to the right of the pliers.

ChSe169-bleached

Although this colony appears to be nearly entirely bleached, the macro images reveal some pigmentation.

ChSe170-partially bleached

BiPb112 (2015-05-02) The second whale shark of my life (and my first ever photo of one). I have since since two more (bringing me to a total of four in 20 years of diving). P. acuta/damicornis was not present at this windward fringing reef, though four Seriatopora spp. colonies (ChSe171-174) were sampled (representing the last sampled colonies of the mission).

ChSe171

ChSe172

darkly pigmented

ChSe173

Although this colony was pretty badly bleached, some pigmentation can still be seen in the macro images.

ChSe174

This colony appears to have been nearly entirely bleached and is a prime candidate for my “bleaching proteomics” study mentioned elsewhere.

Site 113 (BiBl113) was done back at Blenheim.

BiPb114a (2015-05-02) was a windward fringing reef. Although no P. acuta, P. damicornis, or Seriatopora spp. were observed there, other pocilloporids were sampled for collaborators.

BiPb114b (2015-05-3) This was such a gorgeous site that we opted to do a second dive there.

The last dive of the mission (BiSp115) was done at Speaker’s Bank.

Fin

Fare thee well Chagos. Let us not have been the last to see have seen your magnificent reefs in all their glory.