The growth rate of two species of whip black corals belonging to the genera Cirrhipathes and Stichopathes has been evaluated in different experiments conducted in the Marine Park of Bunaken (Indonesia) for over one year. Unbranched, unpinnulated black corals result among the fastest growing colonial organisms, with maximal growth rates of 13.25 cm month-1 for Cirrhipathes cfr anguina and 1.3 cm month-1 for Stichopathes cfr maldivensis. Several observations made both on transplants and on natural colonies add new information on the growth strategy of black corals. The easy handling, the high rate of survivorship and the fast growth of transplants indicate that black corals can be successfully employed in the recovery projects of harvested reefs.
Growth strategies of whip black corals (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) in the Bunaken Marine Park (Celebes Sea, Indonesia)
BO, MARZIA;BAVESTRELLO, GIORGIO
2009-01-01
Abstract
The growth rate of two species of whip black corals belonging to the genera Cirrhipathes and Stichopathes has been evaluated in different experiments conducted in the Marine Park of Bunaken (Indonesia) for over one year. Unbranched, unpinnulated black corals result among the fastest growing colonial organisms, with maximal growth rates of 13.25 cm month-1 for Cirrhipathes cfr anguina and 1.3 cm month-1 for Stichopathes cfr maldivensis. Several observations made both on transplants and on natural colonies add new information on the growth strategy of black corals. The easy handling, the high rate of survivorship and the fast growth of transplants indicate that black corals can be successfully employed in the recovery projects of harvested reefs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.