Abstract
Calcification rates in different fragments along branches of the hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata were tested in the laboratory using a new technique, the “optic glassfiber” method. By this method, the tested colony remains constantly in dark conditions while a narrow beam of light, transferred through the optic fiber, illuminates a small distinct point of coral tissue (on a branch tip or base). The selected illuminated portion of the branch serves as the experimental fragment, while all the other parts of the same colony serve as the dark controls. The results indicate that significantly more calcium is incorporated in the tip fragments than in the bases, both in light and in dark conditions (4.1 to 13.2 times more). Illumination of the tips or the bases did not stimulate or enhance the calcification rates of these fragments. Thus, in all colonies tested, the calcification rates of the illuminated fragments were not significantly different from the average rates of other similar, non-illuminated fragments of the same colony. It is suggested that light does not directly enhance calcification in hermatypic corals, but rather, that light enhances O2 production, which consequently stimulates coral metabolism. Our preliminary results indicate that calcification rates recorded in aerated dark experiments are significantly higher than calcification rates of non-aerated dark controls.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Bak, R. P. M.: The growth of coral colonies and the importance of crustose coralline algae and burrowing sponges in relation with carbonate accumulation. Neth. J. Sea Res. 10, 285–337 (1976)
Barnes, D. J. and C. J. Crossland Diurnal and seasonal variations in the growth of a staghorn coral measured by time-lapse photography. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25, 1113–1117 (1980)
Barnes, D. J. and C. J. Crossland. Variability in the calcification rate of Acropora acuminata measured with radioisotopes. Coral Reefs 1, 53–57 (1982)
Barnes, D. J. and D. L. Taylor: In situ studies of calcification and photosynthetic carbon fixation in the coral Montastrea annularis. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 24, 284–291 (1973)
Buddemeier, R. W. and R. A. Kinzie: Coral growth. Oceanogr. mar. Biol. A. Rev. 14, 183–225 (1976)
Chalker, B. E. and D. L. Taylor: Rhythmic variations in calcification and photosynthesis associated with the coral Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck). Proc. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 201, 179–189 (1978)
Chapman, G.: The skeletal system. In: Coelenterate biology: reviews on new perspectives, pp 93–128. Ed. by L. Muscatine and H. M. Lenhoff. New York: Academic Press 1974
Cheney, D. P.: Cell proliferation as an index of growth in corals: incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Publs Seto mar. biol. Lab. 20, 285–297 (1973)
Clausen, C.: Factors affecting calcification processes in the hermatypic corals Pocillopora damicornis and Porites compressa, 95 pp. Ph.D. dissertation, Loma Linda University, USA 1972
Crossland, C. J. and D. J. Barnes: The role of metabolic nitrogen in coral calcification. Mar. Biol. 28, 325–332 (1974)
Drew, E. A.: The biology and physiology of alga-invertebrate symbioses. III. In situ measurements of photosynthesis and calcification in some hermatypic corals. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 13, 165–179 (1973)
Freemantle, M. H., N. Hulings, M. Mulqi and E. C. Watton: Calcium and phosphate in the Jordan Gulf of Aqaba. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 9, 79–80 (1978)
Gladfelter, E. H. and R. K. Monahan: Primary production and calcium carbonate deposition rates in Acropora palmata from different positions in the reef. Proc. 3rd int Symp. coral Reefs 389–394 (1974). (Ed. by D. L. Taylor, Miami: School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami)
Goreau, T. F.: The physiology of skeleton formation in corals. I. A method for measuring the rate of calcium deposition by corals under different conditions. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 116, 59–75 (1959)
Goreau, T. F.: On the relation of calcification to primary productivity in reef building organisms. In: The biology of Hydra and some other coelenterates, pp 269–285. Ed. by H. H. Lenhoff and W. F. Loomis, Florida: University of Miami 1961
Goreau, T. F.: Calcium carbonate deposition by coralline algae and corals in relation to their roles as reef builders. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 109, 127–167 (1963)
Goreau, T. F. and N. I. Goreau: The physiology of skeleton formation in corals. II. Calcium deposition by hermatypic corals under various conditions in the reef. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 117, 239–250 (1959)
Hayes, R. L. and N. I. Goreau: Intracellular crystal bearing vesicles in the epidermis of scleractinian corals, Astrangia danae (Agassiz) and Porites porites (Pallas). Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 152, 26–40 (1977)
Isa, Y., I. Norikatsu and K. Yamazato: Evidence for the occurrence of Ca++-dependent adenosine triphosphate in a hermatypic coral, Acropora hebes (Dana). Tech. Rep. Sesoko mar. Sci. Lab. Univ. Ryukyus, Ryukyu Islands 7, 19–25 (1980)
Isa, Y. and K. Yamazato: The ultrastructure of calicoblast and related tissues in Acropora hebes (Dana). Proc. 4th int. Symp. coral Reefs 99–105 (1981). (ed. by E. D. Gomez. Manila, Philippines: University of the Philippines)
Kawaguti, S. and D. Sakumoto: The effect of light on the calcium deposition of corals. Bull. oceanogr. Inst. Taiwan 4, 65–70 (1948)
Kinchington, D.: Localization of intracellular calcium within the epidermis of a cool temperate coral. In: Developmental and cellular biology of coelenterates, pp 143–148. Ed. by P. Tardent and R. Tardent. Holland: Elsevier 1980
Lamberts, A.: Alizarin deposition by corals, 163 pp. Ph.D. dissertation University of Hawaii 1973
Oliver, J. K., B. E. Chalker and W. C. Dunlap: Bathymetric adaptation of reef-building corals at Davies reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. I. Long term growth responses of Acropora formosa (Dana 1846). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 73, 11–35 (1983)
Reed, J. K.: In situ growth rates of the scleractinian coral Oculina varicosa occurring with zooxanthellae from 6 m reefs and without on 80 m banks. Proc. 4th int. Symp. coral Reefs 201–206 (1981). (Ed. by E. D. Gomez. Manila, Philippines: University of the Philippines)
Rinkevich, B.: Stylophora pistillata: ecophysiological aspects in the biology of a hermatypic coral, 300 pp. Ph.D. dissertation, Tel Aviv University, Israel 1982
Rinkevich, B. and Y. Loya: Short-term fate of photosynthetic products in a hermatypic coral. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 73, 175–184 (1983)
Rinkevich, B. and Y. Loya: Coral illumination through an optic glass-fiber: incorporation of 14C photosynthates. Mar Biol. 80, 7–15 (1984)
Vandermeulen, J. H.: Studies on skeleton formation, tissue ultrastructure, and physiology of calcification in the reef coral Pocillopora damicornis Lamarck, 248 pp. Ph. D. dissertation, University of California 1972
Vandermeulen, J. H. and L. Muscatine: Influence of symbiotic algae on calcification in reef corals: critique and progress report. In: Symbiosis in the sea, pp 1–18. Ed. by W. B. Vernberg. Columbia: University of South Carolina 1974
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by N. D. Holland, La Jolla
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rinkevich, B., Loya, Y. Does light enhance calcification in hermatypic corals?. Marine Biology 80, 1–6 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393120
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393120