A method for increasing the survival of shallow-water populations of the endemic coral Astroides calycularis
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Published source details
Terrón-Sigler A., León-Muez D., Peñalver-Duque P. & Torre F.E. (2018) A method for increasing the survival of shallow-water populations of the endemic coral Astroides calycularis. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98, 811-818.
Published source details Terrón-Sigler A., León-Muez D., Peñalver-Duque P. & Torre F.E. (2018) A method for increasing the survival of shallow-water populations of the endemic coral Astroides calycularis. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98, 811-818.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Transplant wild grown coral onto natural substrate Action Link |
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Transplant wild grown coral onto natural substrate
A replicated, controlled study in 2012–2013 at two coral reef sites on the Granada coast, southern Spain (Terrón-Sigler et al. 2018) found transplanting fragments of orange coral Asteroides calycularis onto natural substrate within the same site resulted in a higher survival rate, but not area growth or the number of polyps that developed, than fragments transplanted to a different site and, at one site higher than colonies left intact. After 12 months, survival rate of same-site transplants was higher (88% and 86%) compared to different-site transplants (81% and 64%), and higher at one site than intact coral (78% and 90%). There was a significant difference in average overall growth between sites (Punta del Vapor: 3.3 cm2; Punta de la Mona: 5.2 cm2) but not in average area growth between same-site, different-site and intact coral (range after six months: same 3.0–4.0; different 2.4–4.0 cm2; intact 0.8–5.0 cm2, after 12 months: same 0.2–1.3; different 0.2–0.6; intact 0.8–1.3 cm2), or the average number of polyps that developed (range after six months: same 7.0–7.7; different 7.7–17.0; intact 2.6–18.0, after 12 months same 2.2–7.0; different 2.4–7.7; intact 0.6–2.7. In July 2012, three areas (8 m deep) were selected at each of two sites. Thirty-six fragments of orange coral were collected from colonies at each site, 18 of these were transplanted in their original site (same site), 18 were swapped between the two sites (different site) and an additional 18 remained in place (intact). Fragments were secured to the substrate using marine epoxy resin. Survival, area growth and the number of polyps that developed was measured after six and 12 months.
(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)
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