Bleaching effect on regeneration and resource translocation in the coral Oculina patagonica

M. Fine, U. Oren, Yosi Loya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bleaching of corals is the result of the loss of their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and/or their pigments. The supply of photoassimilates provided by the zooxanthellae to the corals declines during bleaching and reduces their ability to activate energy-costly processes. In the present study we compared regeneration capabilities of unbleached Oculina patagonica colonies (an encrusting Mediterranean stony coral) with those of bleached and partly bleached colonies. Using the 14C point-labelling technique on coral tissue, we examined possible intra-colonial translocation of photosynthetic products from the site of tissue labelling to recuperating lesions in partly bleached versus unbleached intact colonies. The percentage recovery of 2 cm2 lesions inflicted on unbleached O. patagonica colonies was significantly higher than the percentage recovery of similar lesions within the bleached area of the partly bleached colonies. Totally bleached colonies showed no regeneration of lesions. Lesion regeneration in unbleached O. patagonica resulted in oriented intra-colonial translocation of 14C products towards recuperating lesions located up to 4-5 cm away. In partly bleached colonies (40 to 80%), such translocation did not occur, probably explaining the reduced recovery rates of lesions in these colonies. Our findings suggest a bleaching threshold of ca. 30% within O. patagonica colonies that determines the levels of colony integration and intra-colonial translocation of resources to regions of maximal demand.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-125
Number of pages7
JournalMarine Ecology - Progress Series
Volume234
DOIs
StatePublished - 3 Jun 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • C-labelling
  • Colony integration
  • Coral bleaching
  • Lesion recovery
  • Oculina patagonica
  • Resource translocation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bleaching effect on regeneration and resource translocation in the coral Oculina patagonica'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this