The concurrent rise in the prevalence of conspicuous benthic cyanobacterial mats and the incidence of coral diseases independently mark major axes of degradation of coral reefs globally. Recent advances have uncovered the potential for the existence of interactions between the expanding cover of cyanobacterial mats and coral disease, especially black band disease (BBD), and this intersection represents both an urgent conservation concern and a critical challenge for future research. Here, we propose links between the transmission of BBD and benthic cyanobacterial mats. We provide molecular and ecophysiological evidence suggesting that cyanobacterial mats may create and maintain physically favorable benthic refugia for BBD pathogens while directly harboring BBD precursor assemblages, and discuss how mats may serve as direct (mediated via contact) and indirect (mediated via predator–prey–pathogen relationships) vectors for BBD pathogens. Finally, we identify and outline future priority research directions that are aligned with actionable management practices and priorities to support evidence-based coral conservation practices.

中文翻译：

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蓝藻垫作为珊瑚黑带病病原体的底栖水库和载体

显着的底栖蓝藻垫的流行和珊瑚病的发病率同时上升，独立地标志着全球珊瑚礁退化的主轴。最近的进展揭示了蓝藻垫的扩大覆盖与珊瑚病，特别是黑带病（BBD）之间存在相互作用的潜力，这种交叉点既代表了紧迫的保护问题，也代表了未来研究的关键挑战。在这里，我们提出了 BBD 传播与底栖蓝藻垫之间的联系。我们提供的分子和生态生理学证据表明，蓝藻垫可以为 BBD 病原体创造和维持物理上有利的底栖避难所，同时直接藏匿 BBD 前体组合，并讨论垫子如何作为 BBD 病原体的直接（通过接触介导）和间接（通过捕食者-猎物-病原体关系介导）载体。最后，我们确定并概述了与可操作的管理实践和优先事项相一致的未来优先研究方向，以支持基于证据的珊瑚保护实践。