Journal article
An aquarium experiment for identifying the physical factors inducing morphological change in two massive scleractinian corals
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.299(1), pp.97-113
2004
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that the massive corals Favia speciosa (Dana, 1846) and Diploastrea heliopora (Lamark, 1816) are phenotypically plastic, i.e. the phenotype of these species can be altered by environmental conditions within their life span. Many researchers have suggested that light, water movement and/or sediment can affect coral morphology, but no work to date has attempted to separate these variables in a controlled aquarium experiment. To ascertain whether any of these three factors could induce morphological change in F. speciosa and D. heliopora, fragments (clone-mates) of both species were maintained in five aquarium tanks, representing: high water energy, high sedimentation, and three different light regimes. After 4 months, the architecture of 12 randomly chosen corallites from each fragment was measured. Reaction norms suggest a relationship between corallite morphology and light, but no consistent pattern could be detected for fragments kept in the sediment regime tank or the high water energy tank. Corallites expand, extend and deepen in high light conditions and possible functional explanations for this response are presented. However, more research is necessary to confirm that light is the primary controlling factor inducing small-scale morphological change in F. speciosa and D. heliopora. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Details
- Title
- An aquarium experiment for identifying the physical factors inducing morphological change in two massive scleractinian corals
- Authors
- P A Todd (Author) - Napier University, United KingdomRoy C Sidle (Author) - Kyoto UniversityN J I Lewin-Koh (Author) - National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Publication details
- Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.299(1), pp.97-113
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2004
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jembe.2003.09.005
- ISSN
- 0022-0981
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449397502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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