engleski

Skeleton growth rates of coral bank of Cladocora caespitosa (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in lake Veliko jezero (Mljet National Park)

Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767) is a colonial scleractinian coral wich belongs to the familyFaviidae and occurs in the Mediterranean Sea and Ibero-Maroccan Gulf. Due to the symbiotic zooxanthellae, sizeable bioherms of this species could be found. The Cladocora caespitosa bankin lake Veliko jezero in the Mljet National Park is significant for its large size of 650 m3. It soreads at depth from 4 to 18 meters and is one of the largest bank of Cladocora caespitosa found in the Mediterranean Sea. Examining the x-radiographs of corallites of Cladocora caespitosa collected from various sites at the bank, it is possible to determine the growth rates of each corallites. The other method for determination growth rates is Alizarin method. With these two methods it is also possible to determine the approximate age of a coral bank.

Scleractinians; Cladocora ceaspitosa; growth rates; x-radiography; Alizarin method

nije evidentirano