Fusion

[Emiliano N. Calderon]

Hi coralisters,

I’m interested on the phenomenon of fusion among young polyps of corals
escleractinians. Although this phenomenon is very well known to be plenty
known
and common, bibliography on the subject is very scarce. I would like to
receive
bibliographical references and opinions on the subject.    
 I’ve been wondering :
What relationship do the larvas have so they join during the settle and fuse? 
Would these larvas be clones of a same colony ? 
Would the colonies of a same place have great genetic similarity making
possible this phenomenon?
Which physical and biological factors could influence this phenomenon?

 I thank for the attention of you all.

Emiliano N Caldron
Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Departamento de Invertebrados
Quinta da Boa Vista, Sao Cristovao
20940-040 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
e-mail: calderon at pobox.com
fone +55-21-5681314 ramal 226 
fax: +55-21-5681314 ramal 213