Disturbance and growth of juvenile corals {Agaricia humilis and Agaricia agaricites, Scleractinia) in natural habitats on the reef of Curagao

Abstract

Juvenile coral colonies (diameter < 50 mm) of Agaricia humilis and A. agaricites were studied through time in their natural habitat between and 23 m depth on the fringing reef of Curacao (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean). At 6 censuses (in 1 yr), data were collected on status, morphology and size of juveniles to investigate the following aspects of life histories: Frequency of disturbance and mortality, nature of disturbing factors, frequency of fission and fusion processes, and growth during the intervals, as well as annual growth. Dynamic aspects of the life histories of A. humilis and A. agaricites integrate well with depth-related differences in relative abundance and with differences in reproductive characteristics of the species