Diseases are major secondary stressor causing coral mortality in the reefs. Little is known about coral diseases in the Indian Ocean region, especially in the Lakshadweep archipelago. A study has been carried out in the lagoon of Chetlat Island, Lakshadweep along the southwest coast of India to document the presence of coral disease in Lakshadweep reefs. Survey for disease and lesions in scleractinians were conducted in the lagoon from January 2016- November 2018, which led to the identification of six coral diseases, two pigmentation responses, one growth anomaly and algal overgrowth. Mortalities caused by Black Band Disease (BBD), White Syndrome (WS), Pink Line Syndrome (PLS), Porites Ulcerative White Spot (PUWS), White Band Disease (WBD) and Porites Peeling Tissue Loss (PorPTL) disease were observed. Sand deposition on coral colonies appeared to be the reason for coral mortality in some areas. The findings of this study emphasize the need to conserve and preserve the biodiversity around this reef.

Coral reef, chetlat Island, black band disease, white band disease, pink line syndrome