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Monthly variations in calix growth, polyp tissue, and density banding of the Mediterranean scleractinian Cladocora caespitosa (L.)

TitleMonthly variations in calix growth, polyp tissue, and density banding of the Mediterranean scleractinian Cladocora caespitosa (L.)
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsPeirano, Andrea, Abbate M., Cerrati G., Difesca V., Peroni C., and Rodolfo-Metalpa R.
JournalCoral Reefs
Volume24
Pagination404-409
ISSN07224028
KeywordsAnthozoa, Cladocora caespitosa, coral, growth, irradiance, Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, nutrient availability, Scleractinia
Abstract

Monthly skeletal growth of the scleractinian, temperate coral Cladocora caespitosa (L.) from the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) was analysed for a period of 1 year and compared with seawater parameters. Measurements on corallite sections and on X-ray images showed that the formation of the high-density (HD) band and two dissepiments are favoured by fall-winter conditions, characterised by high quantities of rain, rough seas, and cold seawater. In summer, when the low-density (LD) band is formed, the corallites stretch upward and form one new dissepiment and one deep calix, where the polyps recede almost completely in August. These findings confirmed the adaptation of the temperate coral to winter environmental conditions, characterised by low irradiance and high availability of nutrients and food particles resuspended from bottom sediments. On the contrary, the high seawater temperature, irradiance, and ammonia contents stressed the coral in August and, when they persist in September, may cause the onset of mortality events. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-28444478763&doi=10.1007%2fs00338-005-0020-6&partnerID=40&md5=71efcf9b7999c4c4746f4b63bb98f081
DOI10.1007/s00338-005-0020-6
Citation KeyPeirano2005404