open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/93902

Calcification rates in the lower photic zone and their ecological implications

英語

Trophic ecology

2023-12

Springer

Coral Reefs

42(6)

1207-1217

Photosymbiotic corals inhabit depths 0-170 + m and form the foundation of coral reef ecosystems by creating complex habitats with their calcium carbonate skeletons. While well studied in shallow waters, almost nothing is known about their basic biology & ecology at depths > 60 m. Here, we report on the first measurements of skeletal density and coral calcification rates from Leptoseris spp. growing at depths of 70- 111 m in Hawaii. These corals have very thin, nonporous, skeletons that are considerably denser (2.7 g cm(-3)) than most shallow water corals. Their calcification rates (0.042- 0.085 g cm(-2) yr(-1)) are the lowest ever reported for a photosymbiotic scleractinian coral and similar to 20- 40 times lower than the dominant shallow water corals in Hawaii. Given their colony geometry, calcification rate and tissue biomass productivity ( per unit area) are tightly coupled, and a constant calcification rate leads to an increasing radial extension rate with colony size. These growth parameter relationships contrast sharply with hemispheroidal colonies in shallow water. Despite their extremely low calcification rates, these corals are very productive at increasing planar area over time, which is consistent with their phototrophic strategy at depth.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-023-02410-7

0722-4028