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Science 2 February 1996:
Vol. 271. no. 5249, pp. 637 - 639
DOI: 10.1126/science.271.5249.637
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Reports

Calcification in Hermatypic and Ahermatypic Corals

A. T. Marshall

The evolutionary development of tropical coral reefs is presently ascribed to the association of corals with symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and to the enhancement of calcification by light. Contrary to this idea, the calcification rate in a non-reef-building tropical coral (Tubastrea faulkneri) without symbiotic algae was the same as the light-enhanced rate in a zooxanthellate reef-building coral (Galaxea fascicularis). The mechanisms of calcification, however, differed between the two species. Instead of being ``light-enhanced,'' calcification in corals with algae was ``dark-repressed.'' The evolutionary development of coral reefs may therefore not be related to light-enhanced calcification resulting from the association of corals with symbiotic algae.


Analytical Electron Microscopy Laboratory, School of Zoology, LaTrobe University, Bundoora (Melbourne), Victoria 3083, Australia.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Light-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of Genes of Biogeochemical Interest in the Diploid and Haploid Life Cycle Stages of Emiliania huxleyi.
S. Richier, M.-E. Kerros, C. de Vargas, L. Haramaty, P. G. Falkowski, and J.-P. Gattuso (2009)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 75, 3366-3369
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Electron and ion microprobe analysis of calcium distribution and transport in coral tissues.
A. T. Marshall, P. L. Clode, R. Russell, K. Prince, and R. Stern (2007)
J. Exp. Biol. 210, 2453-2463
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Low temperature X-ray microanalysis of calcium in a scleractinian coral: evidence of active transport mechanisms.
P. L. Clode and A. T. Marshall (2002)
J. Exp. Biol. 205, 3543-3552
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Calcification in the planula and polyp of the hydroid Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa).
C. L. Rogers and M. B. Thomas (2001)
J. Exp. Biol. 204, 2657-2666
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sources and mechanisms of inorganic carbon transport for coral calcification and photosynthesis.
P Furla, I Galgani, I Durand, and D Allemand (2000)
J. Exp. Biol. 203, 3445-3457
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Palaeozoic corals, II: structure, variation and palaeoecology.
C. T. Scrutton (1998)
Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society 52, 1-57
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