[Coral-List] Fw: SECORE Acropora Spawning Workshop 2011

[vassil zlatarski]

Dear Coral-Listers,

The interest to Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis is really commendable, but what about their hybrid A. prolifera?  Now we know about the importance of coral hybridization as an evolutionary strategy.  In the case of A. prolifera occurs backcrossing between the hybrid and the parents, therefore it is wrong to consider A. prolifera an evolutionary dead-end.  In addition, this hybrid can be more fit than both parents, occupy new econiches and have a bioconstructive role.  Also, there are indications for occurrence of hybridization in the geological past.  Unfortunately, the existing conservation documents exclude the coral hybrids and what is much more inexplicable, no action is in process to fix them.  As result, the research interest and efforts are obedient to bureaucratic practice and do not serve professionally for the coral conservation.
Kindly, some references:
RICHARDS, Z.T., WALLACE,
C.C., MILLER, D.J., 2010. Archetypal 'elkhorn' coral discovered in the Pacific Ocean. Systematics and Biodiversity, 8(2):
281-288.

BUDD, A.F., 2010. Tracing the long-term
evolution of a species complex: Examples from the Montastraea "annularis"
complex. Palaeoworld, 19(3-4):
348-356.
ZLATARSKI, V.N., 2010. Palaeobiological
perspectives on variability and taxonomy of scleractinian corals. Palaeoworld, 19(3-4): 333-339. 
Cheers,
Vassil Zlatarski

D.Sc. (Biology), Ph.D. (Geology)

131 Fales Rd., Bristol, RI 02809, USA;  tel.: +1-401-254-5121

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Dirk Petersen <d.petersen at rotterdamzoo.nl>
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Cc: scubaclyde at columbus.rr.com; mike.brittsan at columbuszoo.org
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 7:23 AM
Subject: [Coral-List] SECORE Acropora Spawning Workshop 2011

Dear all,

a group of 15 scientists and aquarium professionals is currently preparing for the upcoming Acropora spawning in Curacao. This field workshop (Aug 12-22, 2011) is organized by SECORE (www.secore.org) as part of a restoration project aimed at applying sexual reproduction as a restoration tool for endangered corals.

We plan to collect gametes of Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis in the coming spawning nights. The resulting larvae will be settled on specific tiles in a landbased culture facility which has been established by SECORE and the Curacao Sea Aquarium in the past year. Recruits will be gradually reintroduced in the reef, survivorship and further development will be monitored for at least 12 months. 

You can follow the workshop and field activities, our ups- and downs via

- our weblog http://www.secore.org/gsp.dll?sid=283&pid=1&p_menuid=197&p_parentmenuid=196
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/secore
- Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/SECORE_coral

Many thanks to our local supporters CARMABI, Diveversity and Curious2dive to make this workshop again possible!

The SECORE workshop and Curacao restoration project is funded by:
NOAA
The Green Foundation
Connie & Clyde Woodburn Foundation
Aquarium & Zoo Association (AZA)
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund 
European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC)
Van Oord

On behalve of all organizors and workshop participants,

Dirk Petersen










Dr. Dirk Petersen

Assistant Curator 
Science Director SECORE

Oceanium, Rotterdam Zoo
PO Box 532, 3000 AM Rotterdam
The Netherlands
tel ++ 31 10 4431530
fax ++ 31 10 4431506
email: d.petersen at rotterdamzoo.nl 
www.rotterdamzoo.nl 
www.secore.org
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