Hybridization in Acropora (cont.)

[Steven Vollmer]

hello coral-listers,

sorry for my untimely response to last weeks thread about hybridization in
acropora (posted by Pedro Alcolado ) with specific reference to a cancun
aquarium colony of a. palmata becoming bushy morph (i have to confess that
i am only a weekly subscriber). Per Dana Williams comment, leading edges
of a. palmata typically form little branchlets which later fuse (this
probably points to its shared common ancestor with a. cervicornis being
branching), but I have also heard of 'frankenstein' colonies of a.
palmata. Most notably, Antonio Ortiz and Hector Ruiz in Puerto Rico
dropped a. palmata branches into deep holes and watched as the colonies
threw out branched runners - so if you stress a. palmata or put colonies
in novel environments (e.g. aquarium and transplants) don't be
surprised if the phenotype goes out of whack.

When you observe prolifera phenotypes apparently coming out of a. palmata
colonies in the field (per Edwin's comment) - it is likely two colonies
one palmata with a prolifera colony interspersed (this is the case for the
lee stocking island, bahamas palmata reef).

Finally, if you find a 'frankenstein' palmata or other caribbean acropora
and are curious - i will gladly genotype it for you.

Best,
steve

___________________________
Steve Vollmer
OEB Harvard University
16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

***Current Address***
Palumbi Lab
Hopkins Marine Station
Stanford University
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
ph: 831.655.6210 / fax: 831.375.0693

svollmer at oeb.harvard.edu
___________________________

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