[Coral-List] Taking live coral polyp samples

[MelissaE Keyes]

Hello, Listers,
 
In my observations of corals in the last few years, I have seen corals recover from polyp death from innundation by sand moving in as a result of storms.  The smothered edges of colonies regrew without much trouble once the sand moved away.
 
I have also observed damage (from various causes) to polyps in the middle of colonies not repairing.  A wound becoming larger over time. 
 
Jess Jarett just wrote:  "I avoid sampling from the edges of colonies."
 
What is normal practice for taking samples??
 
Hmm, now I will have to go try to dig out photos, eh?
 
Cheers,
 
Melissa Keyes

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Melissa E. Keyes
St. Croix, 
U.S.Virgin Islands