scholarly journals Scleractinian corals as facilitators for other invertebrates on a Caribbean reef

2006 ◽  
Vol 319 ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Idjadi ◽  
PJ Edmunds
Paleobiology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Oliver

The Mesozoic-Cenozoic coral Order Scleractinia has been suggested to have originated or evolved (1) by direct descent from the Paleozoic Order Rugosa or (2) by the development of a skeleton in members of one of the anemone groups that probably have existed throughout Phanerozoic time. In spite of much work on the subject, advocates of the direct descent hypothesis have failed to find convincing evidence of this relationship. Critical points are:(1) Rugosan septal insertion is serial; Scleractinian insertion is cyclic; no intermediate stages have been demonstrated. Apparent intermediates are Scleractinia having bilateral cyclic insertion or teratological Rugosa.(2) There is convincing evidence that the skeletons of many Rugosa were calcitic and none are known to be or to have been aragonitic. In contrast, the skeletons of all living Scleractinia are aragonitic and there is evidence that fossil Scleractinia were aragonitic also. The mineralogic difference is almost certainly due to intrinsic biologic factors.(3) No early Triassic corals of either group are known. This fact is not compelling (by itself) but is important in connection with points 1 and 2, because, given direct descent, both changes took place during this only stage in the history of the two groups in which there are no known corals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 489 ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Alldredge ◽  
SJ Holbrook ◽  
RJ Schmitt ◽  
AJ Brooks ◽  
H Stewart

2020 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 111405
Author(s):  
Kanwara Sangmanee ◽  
Beatriz E. Casareto ◽  
The Duc Nguyen ◽  
Laddawan Sangsawang ◽  
Keita Toyoda ◽  
...  

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Ryan G. Eagleson ◽  
John S. Lumsden ◽  
Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip ◽  
Christophe M. Herbinger ◽  
Ryan A. Horricks

Despite coral community collapse, the mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) is a species currently experiencing success throughout the Caribbean. The inshore reefs of Grenada were selected to study the influence of benthic factors on the abundance, size, and coverage of P. astreoides colonies. Surveys of reef communities along established 30 m transects were conducted at eight sites in 2014 and 2017 using a 0.5 m² quadrat. Coral Point Count was used to annotate the images, estimating the coverage of scleractinian corals, sponges, algae, and benthic substrates. Coverage, size, and abundance of P. astreoides colonies were quantified using the area measurement tool in ImageJ standardized against the quadrats. There were significant differences in benthic community assemblages between islands, selected sites, and between years. From 2014 to 2017 there was a significant decrease in the mean abundance of P. astreoides colonies and significant increases in mean colony size and coverage. The presence of P. astreoides colonies was significantly correlated with: rubble (−), sand (−); pavement (+); macroalgae (−); coralline algae (+); sponges (varying response); gorgonians (−); massive corals (+); and branching corals (−). P. astreoides follows similar recruitment patterns as other scleractinian corals. Observed changes in P. astreoides populations appear to indicate a recovery event following a disturbance, potentially tropical storm Chantal in 2013.


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