A comparison of the survivorship and growth of shallow-water gorgonian species of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Survival and growth of shallow-water gorgonian colonies were monitored from early winter 1983 to late spring 1988 at 2 exposed sites on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Survival rates were about 92 % yr-l at both sites, relatively constant during the study period, and not significantly different among species. The major sources of mortality were detachment, fracture of the axial skeleton near the colony base, and competitive overgrowth. Sources of mortality differed significantly between sites but apparently not among species. Growth rates (increases in colony height) averaged about 2.0 cm yr-' for most species and ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 cm yr-' among species. All species displayed high intraspecific variations in growth. Results emphasize the similarities, rather than differences, in the growth and survival of shallow-water gorgonian species.