The Institute has also formed its own characteristics in the disease research of marine organisms, mainly in the disease research of coral and abalone. For example: a new virus pathogenic to corals, a virus pathogenic to zooxanthellae and its inclusion bodies were discovered; the infection process of the spherical virus of Hainan variegated abalone from germ cells to embryos in abalone and its impact on the virus The lethality of variegated abalone; a filamentous dinoflagellate found to cause coral death and melanization; four species of coral-eating starfish were found, not just the thorny starfish; a species that harms corals was also found Ciliates that eat zooxanthellae, it can also cause the coral to secrete a lot of mucus, etc. In terms of disease resistance research, a polyclonal vibrio antiserum has been developed to effectively treat wound infection in fish; the feeding effect of lobsters and snails on starfish has been discovered for the first time in the world, which directly supports the protection of coral reefs; The vibrio vaccine provides immune protection to millions of fry.
Figure (left) autopsy of dolphins; (right) treatment of sea turtles
Picture (left) ciliates eating zooxanthellae on coral body; (right) virus of zooxanthellae
Figure (left) Viruses in corals: (right) Epidemiological study of coral bleaching