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Growth anomalies on Acropora cytherea corals
Authors:Irikawa Akiyuki  Casareto Beatriz E  Suzuki Yoshimi  Agostini Sylvain  Hidaka Michio  van Woesik Robert
Affiliation:a Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
b Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1-1 Senbaru, Nishihara-city, Okinawa 902-0129, Japan
c Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
Abstract:This ten-year study examined the morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics of coral growth anomalies on Acropora cytherea on Amuro Island, Okinawa, Japan. The objectives of the study were to assess whether the growth anomalies, identified as diffuse disruptions on the skeleton: (i) were more prevalent on large colonies than on small colonies, (ii) were more common near the center of the colonies than peripherally, (iii) affected colony growth and mortality, and (iv) affected coral-colony fecundity and photosynthetic capacity. We hypothesized that the growth anomalies were signs of the onset of aging. The growth anomalies were more prevalent on colonies >2 m diameter, and were concentrated near the central (older) portions of the colonies. The growth anomalies were also associated with reduced productivity and dysfunctional gametogenesis. Still, the growth anomalies did not appear to affect colony survival. The contact experiments showed that the growth anomalies were not contagious, and were most likely a sign of aging that was exacerbated by thermal stress.
Keywords:Corals   Growth anomalies   Acropora cytherea   Disease   Aging
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