Sponges Inhabiting a Mediterranean Red Coral Population

Corriero, Giuseppe; Abbiati, Marco; Santangelo, G.

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0485.1997.tb00433.x

Cited by 34 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In the red coral population studied, as well as in similar coastal populations harvested by recreational divers (Santangelo & Abbiati 2001), infestation by boring sponges (Corriero et al 1997) and mass mortality (Garrabou et al 2001) selectively affect the larger colonies. Under the effects of such mortality sources, early sexual maturity would lead to increased population survival.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction and population sexual structure of the overexploited Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum

Santangelo¹,

Carletti²,

Maggi³

et al. 2003

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

116

109

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This study provides the first description of the reproductive features of a red coral Corallium rubrum population. This circum-Mediterranean octocoral has been over-harvested and commercial stocks are depleted. The population we studied was gonochoric at both the colony and polyp levels, and its sex ratio was significantly biased toward females. The minimum age at first reproduction was 2 yr. The percentage of fertile colonies increased with age, reaching 100% fertility for those over 5 yr. Due to the low frequency of older colonies, 2 /3 of the population was unreproductive. The seasonal cycle of oocyte maturation resulted in a rapid increase in diameter after March, corresponding to a significant reduction in fecundity and fertility. Larval release occurred between late July and August, and settlement ended by mid-September. No significant difference was found in fecundity or fertility between colonies living at different depths (25 and 35 m). Both reproductive parameters depended on polyp position on the colony branches, being significantly lower in the tips of 1st order and proximal parts of 2nd order branches. Due to these opposing trends, no significant overall difference was found between branches of different orders. Female polyp fecundity (0.87 gonads per polyp) was considerably lower than fecundity measured in other octocorals, and the larval production depends on the size/age of the colony: while reproductive colonies in Class 2 (diameter 1.82 mm) produce on average 24 planulae, the larger, older colonies in Class 6 (diameter > 4.6 mm) produce 157 planulae on average. This clearly indicates large differences in larval production between populations with different size and/or age structures. A better understanding of red coral reproduction will help to match harvesting levels to recovery rates in overexploited populations.KEY WORDS: Red coral · Octocorallia · Sexual structure · Reproduction · Mediterranean SeaResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction and population sexual structure of the overexploited Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum

Santangelo¹,

Carletti²,

Maggi³

et al. 2003

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

116

109

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“…Biodiversity of this habitat is widely enhanced by a conspicuous complex of cryptobiotic sponges able to live inside the cavity produced by boring sponges (Bavestrello et al, 1995;Corriero et al, 1997). These cryptobiotic species are particularly abundant in the Pacific coral due to the large diameter of the scleraxis and the wide size of the boring chambers produced by some species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boring sponges living into precious corals from the Pacific Ocean

Calcinai

Bavestrello

Cerrano

et al. 2001

Italian Journal of Zoology

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“…Topsent (1904) underlined the similarity between species of the genus Spiroxya and Dotona; Rützler (2002) stated that a merger of the genus Dotona with Spiroxya could be contemplated. Spiroxya heteroclita Topsent, 1896 described by Corriero et al (1997) is very similar to this specimen in the shape and size of microstrongyles (67e81 Â 3.5e5 mm) with spines in spiral ridges (Corriero et al, 1997) and in the presence of bent microstrongyles with scattered spicules. Moreover the authors report smooth spirasters (37e49 Â 2e3.5 mm) considered very rare (Corriero et al, 1997) but similar in shape and size to the smooth and bent microstrongyles here described.…”

Section: Endolithic Spongesmentioning

confidence: 90%