Article Summary:

Human pathogens have been shown to be responsible for the decline in the endangered Caribbean Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata). In an article published in the Public Library of Science ONE journal, researchers from Rollins College in Florida and the University of Georgia have shown a correlation between the incidence of white pox disease (acroporid serratiosis) on the coral and the pathogen Serratia marcescens.

The team then pinpointed the source of this pathogen as coming from human sewage.