Rates of apical septal extension of Desmophyllum dianthus: effect of association with endolithic photo-autotrophs
Hassenruck, C.; Jantzen, C.; Forsterra, G.; Haussermann, V.; Willenz, P. (2013). Rates of apical septal extension of Desmophyllum dianthus: effect of association with endolithic photo-autotrophs. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 160(11): 2919-2927. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2281-x
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, meer
It has been hypothesized that endolithic photo-autotrophs inside the skeleton of cold-water corals may have a mutualistic relationship with the coral host positively affecting coral calcification. This study investigated the effect of endolithic photo-autotrophs on the apical septal extension of the cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus at Fjord Comau, southern Chile (42.41°–42.15°S, 72.5°W). The fluorescent staining agent calcein was used to document the linear apical extension of septae for a period of one and a half years between 2006 and 2007. The results showed a severe reduction in extension rates associated with the presence of endolithic photo-autotrophs. Infested individuals grew about half as fast as non-infested polyps with a median value of 1.18 µm day-1 compared to 2.76 µm day-1. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, these results point toward a parasitic relationship between D. dianthus and its endolithic photo-autotrophs potentially impairing coral fitness. However, further data on physiological parameters and other aspects of the calcification process are necessary to confirm these findings.
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