1. SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) Project is an initiative of public aquariums and research institutions to produce and exchange sexual coral recruits for the sustainable management of ex situ populations. Here we present the results of the initial three years (2002)(2003)(2004).2. Primary polyps (n=501) of corals (Acropora tenuis, Agaricia humilis, Favia fragum) were transported from Rotterdam Zoo to Cologne, Burgers', Hagenbeck and London Zoos, where development of juveniles was monitored for 10 months. All polyps were produced at Rotterdam Zoo from laboratory colonies (A. humilis, F. fragum), and from larvae generated from field collected gametes at Akajima, Okinawa, Japan (A. tenuis). Additionally, planulae of A. tenuis (n=1440) were transported from Rotterdam Zoo to Burgers' Zoo and to London Zoo to obtain primary polyps.3. Larval settlement (A. tenuis) was observed to be 3.00 AE 2.57% (mean AE SD; n=1480) in 2002 and 17.36 AE 6.01% (mean AE SD; n=1480) in 2003, significantly lower compared to settlement at Rotterdam Zoo (57.84 AE 11.01% in 2003; mean AE SD, n=1480). High post-transport survival rates of 95.18 AE 4.86% (mean AE SD; n=501) were observed in primary polyps of all species. 4. Juvenile survival (t=10 months; A. tenuis: 18.4-86.2%; A. humilis: 0-19.7%; F. fragum: 13.3-72.7%) differed significantly between institutions. Mean colony sizes (measured 10 months after transportation) were, in all cases, similar or higher to those reported from literature.

As a follow‐up to the first overview published in the International Zoo Yearbook in 1989, new data have been collected on the breeding of varanid lizards (Reptilia: Sauria: Varanidae) and these are presented in the form of a table. Taxonomic problems, husbandry techniques and some of the physiological aspects of reproduction are discussed. In general, it is concluded that our knowledge and understanding of varanid reproduction is increasing and the number of successful hatchings is growing accordingly. Further research is needed to enable us to learn more about the influence of certain factors, such as diet and light, on reproduction and to understand better the taxonomy of varanid lizards so that hybridization can be avoided.

The capture and transport of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini Griffith and Smith, 1834) historically has represented a difficult, expensive, and uncertain undertaking for the public aquarium community. In this study, techniques were developed to improve the successful long-term transport of S. lewini by mitigating some of the deleterious effects associated with hyperactivity and impaired swimming patterns. The relationship between the transport vessel size and shark sizes, numbers, and swimming behavior was considered when formulating the transport regime. By balancing these factors and adopting a comprehensive water treatment method, it was possible to extend the duration of a successful transport by up to 60 hr. Implications for the future transport of S. lewini and other free-swimming sharks are discussed. Zoo Biol 21: 243-251, 2002.

We studied the recruitment of the Caribbean reef building corals Favia fragum (F. fragum) and Agaricia humilis(A. humilis) in captivity. Thirty colonies of each species collected in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, reproduced sexually during a temporary stay in a 30-m(3) closed system from November 2001-January 2002. Twelve months later, the F1 generation of F. fragum started reproducing and formed an F2 generation. No reproduction of the F1 recruits of A. humilis was observed. Two years after the introduction of the field colonies, sexual recruits of both species were assessed using two different methods: recruits were estimated using quadrats (quadrat sampling method) and the total number of recruits was counted by creating a map of the artificial rock work divided in distinct areas (area census method). Recruitment rates of F. fragum were highest for the F2 generation on horizontal surfaces (area census method: 137.9+/-191.7 recruits m(-2); quadrat sampling method: 272.0+/-254.8 recruits m(-2); mean+/-SD) and were overall lowest for the F1 generation on overhanging areas of the tank (area census method: 3.8+/-4.0 recruits m(-2); quadrat sampling method: 4.0+/-6.1 recruits m(-2); mean+/-SD recruits m(-2)). The populations of both species showed similar patterns independent of the applied assessment method with highest densities on horizontal surfaces followed by vertical surfaces and lowest densities on overhanging surfaces; however, both methods showed conflicting results when the influence of the surface orientation on the population densities was statistically analyzed. The maximum density of A. humilis (1.4+/-2.7 recruits m(-2) on horizontal surfaces) was much lower than the maximum density of the F1 generation of F. fragum (24.7+/-18.3 recruits m(-2)). Colony sizes of recruits within each population (F. fragum F1: 3.12+/-0.98 cm, F2: 0.83+/-0.41 cm; A. humilis F1: 3.79+/-1.35 cm; maximum diameter+/-SD) did not differ between different orientations (horizontal vs. vertical vs. overhanging). Calculated growth rates in the aquarium reflected those observed for F. fragum in the field, whereas A. humilis showed slower growth in the aquarium than in the field. Factors such as competition, sedimentation, and predation, that generally reduce in situ recruitment may be excluded in captivity resulting in far higher recruitment rates. This study confirms that aquarium exhibits can serve as a comparative model to study the ecology of corals under semi-controlled conditions. Zoo Biol 0:1-17, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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