Diseased Coral (IMAGE)

University of Georgia

Diseased Coral

Caption

The human disease serratiosis is caused by the fecal coliform bacterium Serratia marcescens. When it infects coral, as in this case from Key West, Fl., it destroys the overlying coral tissue, revealing the dead, white limestone skeleton underneath.

Credit

James W. Porter, University of Georgia

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Please credit James W. Porter, University of Georgia

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