Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) case definition for wildlife

Abstract

Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents. The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individual carcass has a specific disease and degree of confidence in that diagnosis and (b) if there is evidence of a pathogen or toxin in a carcass or sample (for example, swab, tissue sample, skin scraping, blood/serum sample, environmental sample, or other). This case definition is specific to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLC) and applies to several species of scleractinian corals across seven families: Faviidae, Meandrinidae, Merulinidae, Montastraeidae, Astrocoeniidae, Scleractinia, and Siderastreidae. Other species presumed to be susceptible are in Families Agaridiidae, Faviidae, and Pocilloporidae.