This study indicates that coral bioerosion at Ko Khangkhao could be relatively high.
Bioerosion processes are important for the balance in reef formation. Internal borers contribute a large portion of coral bioerosion rates. The present study aimed to examine composition and abundance of internal borers in a massive coral Porites lutea at Ko Khangkhao, Chonburi Province. The dead colonies of P. lutea were randomly collected by SCUBA divers to identify composition of internal borers. Three major groups of borers were found in the dead colonies of P. lutea, including Polychaeta, Bivalvia and Sipunculida. The boring polychaetes in families Sabellidae, Terebellidae, Spionidae, Eunicidae and Flabelligeridae), two families of boring bivalves (Mytilidae and Pectinoidae) and a boring sipunculida (family Aspidosiphonidae), were observed. This study indicates that coral bioerosion at Ko Khangkhao could be relatively high.