MEPS 185:195-201 (1999)  -  doi:10.3354/meps185195

ABSTRACT: X-radiographs of corallites of the zooxanthellate coral Cladocora caespitosa (L.), collected in the Ligurian Sea between 3 and 27 m depth, were examined. C. caespitosa deposits 2 bands yr^-1; the high density band is deposited during winter (November to March) while the low density band is deposited in summer. Average growth rates ranged from 1.36 ± 0.58 to 4.42 ± 1.61 mm yr^-1. No differences in the timing of band deposition were found between shallow and deep colonies. A comparison of the band pattern with monthly temperature-irradiance measurements from the Ligurian Sea, and with literature data on the photosynthetic efficiency of zooxanthellae, led us to hypothesise a mechanism of growth with a low dependency on autotrophy.

KEY WORDS: Coral · Cladocora caespitosa · Growth · Mediterranean Sea