Effects of environment on regeneration rate of tissue lesions in the reef coral Montastrea annularis (Scleractinia)

Abstract

[Regeneration rates of tissue lesions and linear growth rates (density bands) were compared in the coral Montastrea annularis for 2 localities at reefs along the leeward coast of Curacao. One site was adjacent to the discharge from a combined desalination-power plant; the second was situated at a pristine reef on the southeastern tip of the island. In addition, we made measurements on a series of corals transplanted from the pristine reef to the desalination-power plant site. We found that the environment played an important role in controlling the regeneration rate of lesions but observed results were the converse of those expected; all lesions located at the desalination-power plant site regenerated significantly faster than those located at the pristine reef. There was no significant difference in growth rates between sites nor was there any discernable correlation between growth rate and regeneration rate. It is hypothesized that occasional influxes of colder oceanic water masses are responsible for the retarded regeneration rates observed at the pristine reef.]