Hughes, Terence P. (1987) Skeletal density and growth form of corals. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 35 (3). pp. 259-266.

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Abstract

This paper explores inter-specific variation in the density of coral skeletons. I present new data on the porosity of 7 species of reef-building scleractinians, and briefly review 20 previous studies on approximately 23 additional corals. Although the total number of species examined so far is still small, the review reveals a consistent pattern of skeletal density among different morphological groups of corals. The most porous corals are massive or bushy. Delicate foliaceous corals are the most dense. Tall branching corals exhibit a marked axial gradient in density, i.e. growing tips are very porous while basal regions are extremely dense. These results are consistent with differences in the mechanical requirements of various colony shapes.

Item ID:	25780
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1616-1599
Additional Information:	All MEPS articles are available online. Articles published 5 years ago or more may be accessed freely by all users. (see http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/information/#openaccess)
Date Deposited:	22 Mar 2013 05:11
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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