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Growth and population dynamic model for the non-zooxanthellate temperate solitary coral Leptopsammia pruvoti (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae)

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Abstract

In corals where complex life history processes decoupling age from size (e.g., fragmentation, fusion, partial colony mortality) are rare or clearly detectable, individual age may be determined from size, and age-based growth and population dynamic models may be applied. One example is the solitary Mediterranean coral Leptopsammia pruvoti Lacaze-Duthiers 1897, whose population size and structure, and growth rates were determined at Calafuria (43°28′N and 10°20′E), Ligurian Sea, from December 2007 to June 2009. Growth rate decreased with increasing size. The growth curve derived from field measurements confirmed the one obtained by growth band analysis. The frequency of individuals decreased exponentially with age, indicating a steady state population. Turnover time was 2.3 years. Maximum life span was 13 years. Most reproductive output was from intermediate age classes (6 years), while older individuals (>7 years), although having higher fecundity, were rare and accounted for a minority of population reproductive output. In comparison with other solitary dendrophylliids, L. pruvoti life strategy was characterized by a reproduction with r-strategy correlates (high fecundity, short embryo incubation, small planula size, fast achievement of sexual maturity), and a rate of demographic renewal occurring halfway along the r–K continuum (intermediate turnover time and maximum longevity).

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Italian Ministry for University, Scientific and Technological Research; the Scuba Nitrox Safety International; The Association of Italian Tour Operators, The Project AWARE Foundation, the Ministry of Tourism of the Arab Republic of Egypt (funding biodiversity monitoring projects in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean) and the Marine and Freshwater Science Group Association. Comments from Dr. Brian Helmuth and five anonymous reviewers improved manuscript quality. Elettra Pignotti (Statistical analysis, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute of Bologna, Italy) provided valuable advice on statistical treatment of the data; the Scientific Diving School of Bologna gave logistical support for the dives. Special thanks go to the divers A. Beccari, L. Bortolazzi, M. Cova and L. Tomesani for their assistance in the field. The experiments complied with current Italian laws.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Group, Department of Evolutionary and Experimental Biology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via F. Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Stefano Goffredo, Erik Caroselli & Francesco Zaccanti

  2. Operative Unit of Radiology and Diagnostics by Images, Hospital of Porretta Terme, Local Health Enterprise of Bologna, Via Roma 16, 40046, Porretta Terme, Bologna, Italy

    Guido Mattioli

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  1. Stefano Goffredo
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  2. Erik Caroselli
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Correspondence to Stefano Goffredo.

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Communicated by J. P. Grassle.

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Goffredo, S., Caroselli, E., Mattioli, G. et al. Growth and population dynamic model for the non-zooxanthellate temperate solitary coral Leptopsammia pruvoti (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae). Mar Biol 157, 2603–2612 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1522-5

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