Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
Acropora cervicornis is a threatened reef-building Caribbean coral that once dominated Caribbean coral reefs, providing three-dimensionality and unique habitats to reef organisms. A. cervicornis populations have declined drastically throughout the Caribbean, largely due to white band disease and the die-off of Diadema antillarum. To mitigate declining populations and due to its quick growth, A. cervicornis is commonly targeted in coral reef restoration efforts, and is a common species grown in coral nurseries. This study aims to quantify and compare the growth of A. cervicornis fragments of different genotypes on two coral nurseries near Playa Huerta in Portobelo National Park in Portobelo, Colón, Panamá. Measurements of linear extension were taken at 50 randomly generated fragments at each nursery, and the linear extension data was compared to previous linear extension data of the same fragments at the time of planting. Growth rates were calculated and statistical analysis revealed that the average final linear extension was statistically significantly greater than the average initial linear extension in both coral nurseries. There was no statistically significant difference between the average growth rates of genotype A of Nursery 170 and genotype B of Nursery 174. Growth rates were generally consistent with, and in some cases, greater than those observed in similar studies of A. cervicornis growth on coral nurseries attached to the substrate. These results suggest that fragments are growing as expected, and restoration efforts should be continued near Playa Huerta. While no significant difference in average growth rates was observed across genotypes, future studies may wish to continue to measure growth rates across different genotypes to determine whether one genotype may be best suited for restoration due to its quick growth. The continuation of restoration efforts and the continued monitoring of the growth and survival of A. cervicornis fragments in coral nurseries is crucial to the survival of A. cervicornis populations as sea surface temperatures continue to rise.
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Recommended Citation
Mollo, Olivia, "Growth of planted Acropora cervicornis fragments of different genotypes at two coral nurseries near Playa Huerta in Portobelo National Park in Portobelo, Colón, Panamá" (2025). Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation. 6.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/pne/6