Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Dynamics and patterns of algal colonization on mechanically damaged and dead colonies of the coral Porites lutea

  • , and
Published/Copyright: August 1, 2008
Botanica Marina
From the journal Volume 51 Issue 4

Abstract

We studied (1) the dynamics of colonization by epilithic algae on mechanically damaged colonies of the coral Porites lutea, (2) the dynamics of algal colonization on dead coral fragments (coral pebbles), (3) and regeneration rates of the damaged corals under a broad range of natural light conditions on the fringing reef of Sesoko Island (Okinawa, Japan). After 1 month (of the experiment), 26 algal species occupied damaged coral areas with a projected areal cover of 1–7%. Colonizers were mainly diatoms, Cyanobacteria, filamentous green, brown and red algae. During this period, the algal settlers were not an impediment to coral polyp recovery. The recovery rate of damaged coral tissue was highest after the first month, amounting to approximately 0.15 mm day-1 under bright light (70–90% of incident surface photosynthetically active radiation, PAR0), 0.14 mm day-1 under moderate light (20–30% PAR0) and 0.07 mm day-1 under low light (2–5% PAR0). After 3 months, 58 algal species had settled onto lesions and 43 species onto coral pebbles. Projected areal cover of the algae was 30–90%. After the second month of the experiment, the recovery rates of corals declined sharply to 0.02–0.04 mm day-1. Under high and moderate light intensities, the measured parameters were similar (with the exception of the number of algal settlers). Under low light, the number, the density of algal settlers and the regeneration rate of polyps on damaged corals were significantly reduced. The algal turf community was formed under light intensities from 20% to 90% PAR0, but was not formed under low light.

Keywords: algae; competition; coral regeneration; dynamics of colonization; Porites lutea
Corresponding author
Received: 2007-7-17
Accepted: 2008-6-19
Published Online: 2008-08-01
Published in Print: 2008-08-01

©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Review
  2. Alien marine macrophytes in Greece: a review
  3. Research articles
  4. Effects of erosion and macroalgae on intertidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) in a northeastern Pacific estuary (USA)
  5. A reassessment of Halophila species (Hydrocharitaceae) diversity with special reference to Japanese representatives
  6. Survey and phytochemical analysis of seagrasses in the Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India
  7. Temperature response in a shallow-water Mediterranean population of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Caulerpales, Chlorophyta), and a possible strategy of season anticipation
  8. Dynamics and patterns of algal colonization on mechanically damaged and dead colonies of the coral Porites lutea
  9. Toxicity, morphology and distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha, P. multistriata and P. multiseries (Bacillariophyta) from the northwestern Sea of Japan
  10. Ceramium periconicum sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta): a new subtidal species from Baja California Sur, Mexico
  11. Seaweed polysaccharides with anticancer potential
  12. Iron, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium contents in Ruppia maritima from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon: monthly variation and distribution in different plant fractions
  13. Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Arthrobotrys mangrovispora, a new marine nematode-trapping fungal species
  14. Meetings
  15. Meetings
https://doi.org/10.1515/BOT.2008.042
Keywords for this article
algae; competition; coral regeneration; dynamics of colonization; Porites lutea

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Review
  2. Alien marine macrophytes in Greece: a review
  3. Research articles
  4. Effects of erosion and macroalgae on intertidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) in a northeastern Pacific estuary (USA)
  5. A reassessment of Halophila species (Hydrocharitaceae) diversity with special reference to Japanese representatives
  6. Survey and phytochemical analysis of seagrasses in the Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India
  7. Temperature response in a shallow-water Mediterranean population of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Caulerpales, Chlorophyta), and a possible strategy of season anticipation
  8. Dynamics and patterns of algal colonization on mechanically damaged and dead colonies of the coral Porites lutea
  9. Toxicity, morphology and distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha, P. multistriata and P. multiseries (Bacillariophyta) from the northwestern Sea of Japan
  10. Ceramium periconicum sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta): a new subtidal species from Baja California Sur, Mexico
  11. Seaweed polysaccharides with anticancer potential
  12. Iron, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium contents in Ruppia maritima from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon: monthly variation and distribution in different plant fractions
  13. Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Arthrobotrys mangrovispora, a new marine nematode-trapping fungal species
  14. Meetings
  15. Meetings
Downloaded on 14.4.2026 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/BOT.2008.042/html
Scroll to top button