Modification of light utilization for skeletal growth by water flow in the scleractinian coral <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galaxea fascicularis</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Miriam Schutter Sander Kranenbarg René H Wijffels Johan Verreth Ronald Osinga |
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Institution: | (1) Aquaculture and Fisheries, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands;(2) Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands;(3) Experimental Zoology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands; |
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Abstract: | In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the importance of water flow for skeletal growth (rate) becomes higher with increasing
irradiance levels (i.e. a synergistic effect) and that such effect is mediated by a water flow modulated effect on net photosynthesis.
Four series of nine nubbins of G. fascicularis were grown at either high (600 μE m−2 s−1) or intermediate (300 μE m−2 s−1) irradiance in combination with either high (15–25 cm s−1) or low (5–10 cm s−1) flow. Growth was measured as buoyant weight and surface area. Photosynthetic rates were measured at each coral’s specific
experimental irradiance and flow speed. Additionally, the instantaneous effect of water flow on net photosynthetic rate was
determined in short-term incubations in a respirometric flowcell. A significant interaction was found between irradiance and
water flow for the increase in buoyant weight, the increase in surface area, and specific skeletal growth rate, indicating
that flow velocity becomes more important for coral growth with increasing irradiance levels. Enhancement of coral growth
with increasing water flow can be explained by increased net photosynthetic rates. Additionally, the need for costly photo-protective
mechanisms at low flow regimes could explain the differences in growth with flow. |
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