Calcification processes are largely unknown in scleractinian corals. In this study, live confocal imaging was used to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of the calcification process in aposymbiotic primary polyps of the coral species Acropora digitifera. The fluorophore calcein was used as a calcium deposition marker and a visible indicator of extracellular fluid distribution at the tissue-s...

The biogeography and evolutionary history of the shallow marine fauna in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) is poorly known, as are the consequences of ancient and recent biodiversity-generating processes. Inwater surveys of scleractinian corals show maximum diversity in a core region centered on the northern Mozambique Channel. Maximum species richness is at ≈300 with a threshold of ≈250 that diff...

A survey of sipunculan fauna associated with coral rocli and rubble along a transect across the coral reef at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, revealed eight species, six of which inhabited burrows within rock samples and two of which occurred in crevices and crannies. Comprising 95 percent of the collection, the four most abundant species were, in order of abundance: Lithacrosiphon alticonus Ten Broeke...

Increasing evidence of links between climate change, anthropogenic stress and coral disease underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which reef-building corals resist infection and recover from injury. Cellular inflammation and melanin-producing signalling pathway are two mechanisms employed by invertebrates to remove foreign organisms such as pathogens, but they have not b...

Background: Microwave technology has revolutionized histological processing by reducing processing time and improving tissue integrity. We describe the first microwave-accelerated tissue processing procedure for healthy and diseased tissue fragments of two species of corals: the gorgonian Gorgonia ventalina and the scleractinian Acropora cervicornis. Methods: Fourteen tissue samples from sea fa...

Anthropogenic climate change is the biggest threat to coral reefs, but reef restoration efforts are buying time for these ecosystems. Lesion recovery, which can be a determinant of colony survival, particularly important restored species. Here, we evaluate lesion recovery 18 genets Acropora cervicornis from Florida reefs with different thermal regimes in temperature challenge experiment. Genets...

Population connectivity resulting from larval dispersal is essential for the maintenance or recovery of populations in marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Studies of species diversity and genetic connectivity within species are essential for the conservation of corals and coral reef ecosystems. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequence types and microsatellite genotypes of the broadcast-spaw...

Karimunjawa archipelago, marine national park, has been considered to be a relatively pristine area that have more than 90 species of corals. This study was conducted to detect any concentrations heavy metal levels in the tissues of eight coral species. Based on life-forms, selected coral species are classified as massive (Porites lutea and Goniastrea retiformis), submassive (Galaxea fascicular...