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Biol Bull 160: 292-302. (April 1981)
© 1981 Marine Biological Laboratory
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PHENOTYPIC VARIATION IN THE CORAL MONTASTREA CAVERNOSA AND ITS EFFECTS ON COLONY ENERGETICS

HOWARD R. LASKER 1

1 Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637

Variation in polyp expansion; zooxanthellae density; coloration; and polypshape, size, and density can be used to divide shallow water (<20 m) colonies of Montastrea cavernosa into two morphs, diurnal and nocturnal. Respiration rates of the morphs are related to the number and size of polyps, an index of biomass. Small changes in the size or number of polyps, while not affecting the size of the whole colony, affect respiration rates. The diurnal morph has greater zooxanthellae densities than the nocturnal morph and correspondingly greater rates of gross primary production. Respiration and gross primary production are both increased by expansion of the polyps. Colonies with low rates of gross primary production are characterized by morphologies and behaviors that reduce maintenance costs. This suggests that limitations of primary production play a major role in the development (and/or evolution) of M. cavernosa.

Submitted on September 17, 1980
Accepted on January 21, 1981




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