Journal
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
Volume 355, Issue -, Pages 149-159Publisher
INTER-RESEARCH
DOI: 10.3354/meps07253
Keywords
reef coral; acropora; settlement; zonation; molecular marker; habitat selection
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
One of the most abundant genera of scleractinian corals, Acropora, shows considerable zonation along reef slopes. The zones are thought to be established by both selective larval settlement and post-settlement selection. The latter has been credited as more important, possibly due to the obvious relationship between colony shapes and habitat-specific environmental stress. However, there is no evidence that the former has less influence on the creation of the zones. To test the hypothesis that larvae settle selectively on species-specific suitable habitat, we identified recruits using mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers. A 2-step molecular sorting process successfully identified the 7 most dominant species in the area. Comparing the species composition of 3 different depths, the distribution of the settlement of the 3 dominant species A. digitifera, A. hyacinthus and A. tenuis was significantly related to adult zonation, suggesting that Acropora larvae selectively settle on the suitable habitat. This is the first in situ evidence showing selective settlement of coral larvae, and from it we can conclude that the initial stage of the life cycle plays an important role in establishing habitat segregation at the species level in Acropora.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available