Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding coral bleaching is INCORRECT?

  1. Infectious bacteria of the species Vibrio shiloi are the bleaching agent of Oculina patagonica.

  2. V. shiloi is infectious only during cold periods.

  3. V. shiloi penetrates the coral's epidermis.

  4. Acidification of seas affects the corals' ability to create calcareous skeletons, essential to their survival.

  5. Corals consistently exposed to low stress levels may be more resistant to bleaching.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

V. shiloi is infectious only during warm periods. Elevated temperature increases the virulence of V. shiloi, which then become able to adhere to a beta-galactoside-containing receptor in the surface mucus of the host coral.

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