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Desde la década de 1960, se han realizado estudios para comprender el proceso de calcificación que llevan a cabo los corales hermatípicos y conocer los factores que limitan su crecimiento. Wells (1963) determinó que los parámetros de crecimiento coralino guardan una relación directa con las variaciones estacionales en las condiciones ambientales. Calcification of the main reef-building coral species on the Pacific coast of southern Mexico Calcificación de las principales especies de corales constructoras de arrecifes en la costa del Pacífico del sur de México

Porites panamensis is a hermatypic coral present in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Skeletal growth parameters have been reported, but studies of the relationship between annual calcification rates and environmental controls are scarce. In this study, we investigated three aspects of the annual calcification rates of P. panamensis: growth parameters among three P. panamensis populations; the sea surface temperature as a calcification rate control spanning a latitudinal gradient; and calcium carbonate production among three sites. Growth parameters varied among the sites due to the colony growth form. Massive colonies in the north showed a higher calcification rate than encrusting colonies in the south (mean: 1.22-0.49 g CaCO 3 Á cm À2 Á yr À1 ), where variations in calcification rates were related to growth rate (0.91-0.38 cm Á yr À1 ) rather than to skeletal density differences (overall mean AE SD, 1.31 AE 0.04 g CaCO 3 Á cm À3 ). Our results showed a positive linear relationship between annual calcification rates and sea surface temperatures within these P. panamensis populations. Differences were related to distinct oceanographic environments (within and at the entrance of the Gulf of California) with different sea surface temperature regimes and other chemical properties. Different populations calcified under different environmental conditions. Calcium carbonate production was dependent upon the calcification rate and coral cover and so carbonate production was higher in the north (coral cover 12%) than in the south (coral cover 3.5). Thus, the studied sites showed low calcium carbonate production (0.25-0.43 kg CaCO 3 Á m À2 Á yr À1 ). Our results showed reduced calcification rates, regional temperature regime control over calcification rates, different growth forms, low coral cover and low calcium carbonate production rates in P. panamensis.Marine Ecology (2014) 1-12 ª

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