Poppe Images - Marine Iconography in the Philippines
XENIIDAE
Heteroxenia species
Philippines, Mactan Island, Coral Point. 20 m. Night. 2005
916778
Search Result: 1 records
1. Dinesen, Z.D., 1985
Aspects of the life history of a stolon-bearing species of {Efflatounaria} (Octocorallia: Xeniidae).
p. 89-94. In: C. Gabrie and M.
Ref ID 16099 Author Dinesen, Z.D. Year 1985 Title Aspects of the life history of a stolon-bearing species of {Efflatounaria} (Octocorallia: Xeniidae). Source p. 89-94. In: C. Gabrie and M. Keywords ICRS5 soft coral assemblages Caption Abstract A major component of the soft coral assemblages on outershelf and midshelf reefs off Townsville, central Great Barrier Reef region, is the genus Efflatounaria. This xeniid soft coral propagates vegetatively by means of stolons which give rise to daughter colonies. Subpopulations of an Efflatounaria species were studied between December 1980 and June 1982 at two sites at Davies Reef (18?50'S, 147?39'E), one site having overall a comparatively higher density of Efflatounaria than the other site. Using maps derived principally from stereophotographs taken at approximately two-monthly intervals, rates of natalit2 (i.e. production of new colonies) and mortality, and changes in relative abundance, were followed in 1 m plots at 5m and at 10m below l.w.d. (at both sites), and at high and low densities of colonies within plots (at Site 1 only). Vegetative propagation was observed year-round irrespective of sexual reproductive activity, ne.l autonomous daughter colonies being produced within periods of less than two months. Three-way ANOVAs of standardized natality and mortality data indicated, ~~, a significant effect of density on both natality and mortality rates. This suggests that the species' potential for rapid population increase is not realized, the higher natality rates at high densities being offset by higher mortality rates. Efflatounaria sp. is dioecious. Release of eggs occurs in early summer (observed early Decsnber), and is not fully synchronous but is epidemic over a period of a few days. Following release, eggs remain attached to the colony exterior between the swollen polyps, and planulae are probably brooded here. Most propagules of this Efflatounaria species appear to be produced vegetatively, and it seems likely that sexual reproduction serves primari ly to promote dispersal, and maintenance of genetic diversity. Online Documents
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