The feasibility of transplanting black coral (Order Antipatharia)

Author: Montgomery A.D.

Source: Hydrobiologia, Volume 471, Numbers 1-3, March 2002 , pp. 157-164(8)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Is transplanting black coral feasible? In order to test the feasibility of transplanting black coral experimentally, forty black coral fragments were transplanted in five locations across Hawaii. One fragment, Antipathes ulex (Ellis & Solander), was transplanted at Makua, Oahu, Hawaii, next to the parent colony. Ten fragments of Antipathes dichotoma (Pallas) were transplanted at Kahuku, Hawaii, Hawaii, next to the parent colony and nine fragments of A. dichotoma (Pallas) were transplanted from Kahuku, Hawaii to Honokohau, Hawaii, Hawaii. Ten fragments of A. dichotoma (Pallas) were transplanted at two different locations each at Makena, Maui, Hawaii, ten next to the parent colony and ten away form the parent colony. The mean height of the fragments was 11.8 cm (SD±3.7) at time of transplantation. The mean height of all surviving fragments was 5.1 cm (SD±3.1) approximately 24 months after the initial survey. The mean survival was 45%. The mortality observed in this study was in the form of missing fragments. All observed fragments were alive. Based on the results of this study, the transplanting process needs to be refined. The microhabitat chosen for transplantation is critical. Further experiments are recommended to test for a minimum size required to transplant while minimizing the impact on the donor colonies. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of transplanting as well as the important criteria in determining the need for transplanting are discussed. A flow chart is given to show the decisions that need to be made before transplanting black coral.

Keywords: transplanting; black coral; Antipathes dichotoma (Pallas); Antipathes ulex (Ellis & Solander); Hawaii

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: The Oceanic Institute 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, Hawaii, U.S.A.

Publication date: 2002-03-01

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• In this Subject: Biology
• By this author: Montgomery A.D.

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