Abstract
Abnormal processes of calcification, such as regenerating lesions and neoplasia, situated near the tips(<25 cm) of colonies of Acropora palmata (Lamarck) suppressed normal linear growth. Branches having neoplasia at a larger distance from the tip do not grow significantly differently from controls. This indicates a functional minimal area in terms of energy supply. Neoplasia are pure aragonite and have the same coenosteal structure as regenerative skeletal material. Regeneration of tissue as well as tissue+skeleton lesions involves the simultaneous formation of tissue and regenerative skeleton, trapping foreign material under the regenerated surface. Recovery of a damaged surface slows down with time and this may, in other coral species, result in permanent lesions. A. palmata recovered from all lesions (n=32) within 80 d and appears to be a superior regenerator among Caribbean corals. This is consistent with other life-history characteristics of this highly specialized coral species.
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
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Bak, R.P.M. Neoplasia, regeneration and growth in the reef-building coral Acropora palmata . Mar. Biol. 77, 221–227 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395810
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395810