Skeletal Growth Rate Research Articles

Transcriptome analysis of cattle muscle identifies potential markers for skeletal muscle growth rate and major cell types.

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify markers for muscle growth rate and the different cellular contributors to cattle muscle and to link the muscle growth rate markers to specific cell types.ResultsThe expression of two groups of genes in the longissimus muscle (LM) of 48 Brahman steers of similar age, significantly enriched for “cell cycle” and “ECM (extracellular matrix) organization” Gene Ontology (GO) terms was correlated with average daily gain/kg liveweight (ADG/kg) of the animals. However, expression of the same genes was only partly related to growth rate across a time course of postnatal LM development in two cattle genotypes, Piedmontese x Hereford (high muscling) and Wagyu x Hereford (high marbling). The deposition of intramuscular fat (IMF) altered the relationship between the expression of these genes and growth rate. K-means clustering across the development time course with a large set of genes (5,596) with similar expression profiles to the ECM genes was undertaken. The locations in the clusters of published markers of different cell types in muscle were identified and used to link clusters of genes to the cell type most likely to be expressing them. Overall correspondence between published cell type expression of markers and predicted major cell types of expression in cattle LM was high. However, some exceptions were identified: expression of SOX8 previously attributed to muscle satellite cells was correlated with angiogenesis. Analysis of the clusters and cell types suggested that the “cell cycle” and “ECM” signals were from the fibro/adipogenic lineage. Significant contributions to these signals from the muscle satellite cells, angiogenic cells and adipocytes themselves were not as strongly supported. Based on the clusters and cell type markers, sets of five genes predicted to be representative of fibro/adipogenic precursors (FAPs) and endothelial cells, and/or ECM remodelling and angiogenesis were identified.ConclusionsGene sets and gene markers for the analysis of many of the major processes/cell populations contributing to muscle composition and growth have been proposed, enabling a consistent interpretation of gene expression datasets from cattle LM. The same gene sets are likely to be applicable in other cattle muscles and in other species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1403-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Coral reef recovery in the Galápagos Islands: the northernmost islands (Darwin and Wenman)

The remote northernmost Galapagos Islands, Darwin and Wenman, exhibited well-developed coral communities in 1975, which were severely degraded during the 1982–1983 El Nino warming event. Mapping of the coral reef at Darwin, herein Wellington Reef, shows it presently to be the largest known structural reef in the Galapagos. It consists of numerous 1- to 3-m-high Porites framework towers or stacks and overlies a carbonate (coral/calcareous sediments) basement. Pre-disturbance Wellington Reef was constructed chiefly by Porites lobata and Pocillopora elegans, and Wenman coral cover was dominated by Pavona clavus and Porites lobata. Subsequent surveys in 2012 have demonstrated robust recovery in spite of ENSO thermal shock events, involving both high and low stressful temperatures that have caused tissue bleaching and mortality. No losses of coral species have been observed. Radiocarbon dating of 1- to 3-m-high poritid framework stacks, from their peaks to bases, revealed modern ages of up to 690 yr. Incremental stack growth rates ranged from 0.15–0.39 to 1.04–2.40 cm yr−1. The former are equivalent to framework accretion rates of 1.5–3.9 m Kyr−1, the latter to coral skeletal growth rates of 1.0–2.4 cm yr−1. Coral recovery in the central and southern Galapagos has been nonexistent to low compared with the northern islands, due chiefly to much higher population densities and destructive grazing pressure of the echinoid Eucidaris galapagensis. Thus, coral reef resistance to ENSO perturbations and recovery potential in the Galapagos are influenced by echinoid bioerosion that varies significantly among islands.

Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality

Environmental drivers of coral condition (maximum quantum yield, symbiont density, chlorophyll a content and coral skeletal growth rates) were assessed in the equatorial inshore coastal waters of Singapore, where the amplitude of seasonal variation is low, but anthropogenic influence is relatively high. Water quality variables (sediments, nutrients, trace metals, temperature, light) explained between 52 and 83% of the variation in coral condition, with sediments and light availability as key drivers of foliose corals (Merulina ampliata, Pachyseris speciosa), and temperature exerting a greater influence on a branching coral (Pocillopora damicornis). Seasonal reductions in water quality led to high chlorophyll a concentrations and maximum quantum yields in corals, but low growth rates. These marginal coral communities are potentially vulnerable to climate change, hence, we propose water quality thresholds for coral growth with the aim of mitigating both local and global environmental impacts.

Possible controls on Li, Na, and Mg incorporation into aragonite coral skeletons

We present ion probe measurements of Li/Ca, Na/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of three scleractinian corals (Lophelia pertusa, Desmophyllum cristagalli, Porites lutea). These ratios are systematically enriched in Rapid Accretion Deposits (RADs) compared to surrounding fibres, or Thickening Deposits (TDs), and present huge variations that cannot be ascribed to any environmental parameter change. Moreover, these elemental ratios are positively correlated in the three coral species. We explore different mechanisms to explain these observations: (1) mixing between different carrier phases, (2) influence of specific ion pumps, (3) precipitation rate effects, (4) Rayleigh fractionation, and (5) pH change in the calcifying fluid. Of these possibilities, the most likely proposal seems to be kinetic effects that have influence on the number of defects (i.e., modification of the crystallographic structure), which are linked to the precipitation rate of the skeleton, and the partition coefficients are the cause of the positive correlation between Li, Na, and Mg in the coral skeleton. Temperature has an indirect influence on the skeletal concentration of these elements through its effect on the skeletal growth rate.

What can turtles teach us about the theory of ecological stoichiometry?

Summary Vertebrate skeletons have high phosphorus (P) content relative to other tissues. Variation in skeletal investment within and among species is hypothesised to predict variation in P demand, standing stock and recycling. These relationships have been examined among fish, but not in vertebrates with more robust skeletons, such as turtles. Our objectives were to (i) describe freshwater turtle stoichiometry relative to skeletal mass, (ii) compare turtle body and excreta stoichiometry to patterns among fish and (iii) relate turtle skeletal stoichiometry to turtle nutrient storage and recycling. Skeleton constituted 82% of turtle dry mass. Total body %P increased ontogenetically with turtle mass and 93% of all P resided in the skeleton. Phosphorus storage within turtle assemblages was high (0.2–0.45 kg ha−1). Turtles excreted lower concentrations of P than fish. Excreta N:P was positively correlated with body N:P, suggesting that increased skeletal P investment was inversely related to P demand. Our results demonstrate that P stored in the bone of turtles can represent a large standing stock of P in fresh waters. Further, our work suggests skeletal investment alone is not sufficient to predict an animal's P demand and, by extension, their effects on nutrient recycling. Instead, our results indicate P demand is determined by both skeletal investment and growth rate. Consequently, taxa with high body P, extreme longevity and slow growth rates, such as adult turtles, may serve as stable standing stocks of nutrients while also contributing proportionately to nutrient remineralisation.

Symptomatic late onset hypocalcemia in a full term female neonate with vitamin D deficiency due to maternal hypovitaminosis D: A rare case report

Introduction: Neonatal hypocalcemia (NH) is a common metabolic complication in neonates, more so in premature and high risk neonates. It is classified as early and late neonatal hypocalcemia. Early NH occurs in the first 24–48 hours of life while the late NH is observed at the end of the first week. Vitamin D deficiency is an important cause for hypocalcemic seizures in neonates, in developing countries. High rate of skeletal growth coupled with low vitamin D

Evaluation of annual resolution coral geochemical records as climate proxies in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia

Sampling of annually banded massive coral skeletons at annual (or higher) resolutions is increasingly being used to obtain replicate long-term time series of changing seawater conditions. However, few of these studies have compared and calibrated the lower annual resolution records based on coral geochemical tracers with the corresponding instrumental climate records, although some studies have inferred the climatic significance of annual coral series derived from averages of monthly or sub-annual records. Here, we present annual resolution analysis of coral records of elemental and stable isotopic composition that are approximately 70 years long. These records were preserved in two coexisting colonies of Porites sp. from Arlington Reef, on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and are used to evaluate the climatic significance of annually resolved coral geochemical proxies. The geochemical records of coral sample “10AR2,” with its faster and relatively constant annual growth rate, appear to have been independent of skeletal growth rate and other vital effects. The annual resolution of Sr/Ca and Δδ18O time series was shown to be a good proxy for annual sea surface temperature (SST; r = −0.67, n = 73, p < 0.0000001) and rainfall records (r = −0.34, n = 67, p < 0.01). However, a slower growing coral sample, “10AR1” showed significantly lower correlations (r = −0.20, n = 71, p = 0.05 for Sr/Ca and SST; r = −0.19, n = 67, p = 0.06 for Δδ18O and rainfall), indicating its greater susceptibility to biological/metabolic effects. Our results suggest that while annually resolved coral records are potentially a valuable tool for determining, in particular, long timescale climate variability such as Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, and other climatic factors, the selection of the coral sample is important, and replication is essential.

Skeletal oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of Acropora coral primary polyps experimentally cultured at different temperatures

AbstractWe investigated temperature and growth‐rate dependency of skeletal oxygen and carbon isotopes in primary polyps of Acropora digitifera (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) by culturing them at 20, 23, 27, or 31°C. Calcification was most rapid at 27 and 31°C. We obtained a δ18O‐temperature relationship (−0.18‰ °C−1) consistent with reported ranges for Porites, indicating that juvenile Acropora polyps can be used for temperature reconstruction. A growth‐rate dependency of skeletal isotopes was detected in the experimental polyps cultured at lower water temperatures, when the skeletal growth rate of these polyps was also low. The estimated upper calcification flux limit for a kinetic isotope effect to be observed in the δ18O‐growth rate relationship (∼0.4–0.7 g CaCO3 cm−2 yr−1) was similar to the calcification flux in Porites corresponding to a linear extension rate of 5 mm yr−1, the maximum rate at which the kinetic isotope effect is evident. This result suggests that the calcification flux can be used as a measure of growth rate‐related isotope fractionation, that is, the kinetic isotope effect, in corals of different genera and at different growth stages.

Molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal growth arrest by cutaneous scarring

In pediatric surgeries, cutaneous scarring is frequently accompanied by an arrest in skeletal growth. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect are not understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between scar contracture and osteogenesis. An excisional cutaneous wound was made on the tail of neonatal mice. Finite element (FE) modeling of the wound site was used to predict the distribution and magnitude of contractile forces within soft and hard tissues. Morphogenesis of the bony vertebrae was monitored by micro-CT analyses, and vertebral growth plates were interrogated throughout the healing period using assays for cell proliferation, death, differentiation, as well as matrix deposition and remodeling. Wound contracture was grossly evident on post-injury day 7 and accompanying it was a significant shortening in the tail. FE modeling indicated high compressive strains localized to the dorsal portions of the vertebral growth plates and intervertebral disks. These predicted strain distributions corresponded to sites of increased cell death, a cessation in cell proliferation, and a loss in mineralization within the growth plates and IVD. Although cutaneous contracture resolved and skeletal growth rates returned to normal, vertebrae under the cutaneous wound remained significantly shorter than controls. Thus, localized contractile forces generated by scarring led to spatial alterations in cell proliferation, death, and differentiation that inhibited bone growth in a location-dependent manner. Resolution of cutaneous scarring was not accompanied by compensatory bone growth, which left the bony elements permanently truncated. Therefore, targeting early scar reduction is critical to preserving pediatric bone growth after surgery.

Differential response of two Mediterranean cold-water coral species to ocean acidification

Cold-water coral (CWC) reefs constitute one of the most complex deep-sea habitats harboring a vast diversity of associated species. Like other tropical or temperate framework builders, these systems are facing an uncertain future due to several threats, such as global warming and ocean acidification. In the case of Mediterranean CWC communities, the effect may be exacerbated due to the greater capacity of these waters to absorb atmospheric CO2 compared to the global ocean. Calcification in these organisms is an energy-demanding process, and it is expected that energy requirements will be greater as seawater pH and the availability of carbonate ions decrease. Therefore, studies assessing the effect of a pH decrease in skeletal growth, and metabolic balance are critical to fully understand the potential responses of these organisms under a changing scenario. In this context, the present work aims to investigate the medium- to long-term effect of a low pH scenario on calcification and the biochemical composition of two CWCs from the Mediterranean, Dendrophyllia cornigera and Desmophyllum dianthus. After 314 d of exposure to acidified conditions, a significant decrease of 70 % was observed in Desmophyllum dianthus skeletal growth rate, while Dendrophyllia cornigera showed no differences between treatments. Instead, only subtle differences between treatments were observed in the organic matter amount, lipid content, skeletal microdensity, or porosity in both species, although due to the high variability of the results, these differences were not statistically significant. Our results also confirmed a heterogeneous effect of low pH on the skeletal growth rate of the organisms depending on their initial weight, suggesting that those specimens with high calcification rates may be the most susceptible to the negative effects of acidification.

Resistance of Two Mediterranean Cold-Water Coral Species to Low-pH Conditions

Deep-water ecosystems are characterized by relatively low carbonate concentration values and, due to ocean acidification (OA), these habitats might be among the first to be exposed to undersaturated conditions in the forthcoming years. However, until now, very few studies have been conducted to test how cold-water coral (CWC) species react to such changes in the seawater chemistry. The present work aims to investigate the mid-term effect of decreased pH on calcification of the two branching CWC species most widely distributed in the Mediterranean, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata. No significant effects were observed in the skeletal growth rate, microdensity and porosity of both species after 6 months of exposure. However, while the calcification rate of M. oculata was similar for all colony fragments, a heterogeneous skeletal growth pattern was observed in L. pertusa, the younger nubbins showing higher growth rates than the older ones. A higher energy demand is expected in these young, fast-growing fragments and, therefore, a reduction in calcification might be noticed earlier during long-term exposure to acidified conditions.

Growth rate variation and potential paleoceanographic proxies in Primnoa pacifica: Insights from high-resolution trace element microanalysis

Red tree coral, Primnoa pacifica, is one of the more common habitat-forming deep-sea gorgonian corals in the northeast Pacific Ocean, growing in colonies up to 2m high and living for decades to hundreds of years. Growth characteristics of P. pacifica were studied in Dixon Entrance, northern British Columbia, and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington State, USA, based on samples collected in July 2008. To minimize the impact of scientific sampling on coral populations, only dead coral skeletons and dislodged live corals were collected. Ages and growth rates were measured using band counts, and checked against AMS-14C ages of gorgonin rings. Ba/Ca, Mg/Ca, Na/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in the calcite cortex were measured using radial Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (SIMS) transects with a spot size of <20μm and separation distance of 25μm. Growth banding was consistent in width between the central mixed zone consisting of calcite and gorgonin and the dominantly calcite cortex. Average annual radial growth rate of the nine corals analysed ranged from 0.23 to 0.58mm/yr, with an average growth rate of 0.32mm/yr in Dixon Entrance and 0.36m/yr in OCNMS. These growth rates are slightly higher than P. pacifica growth rates from the Gulf of Alaska, and more than four times the growth rates of sister species Primnoa resedaeformis in the northwest Atlantic. Primary productivity is likely a more important driver of geographic variation in Primnoa growth rates than temperature or current strength. Both Dixon Entrance and OCNMS are areas with high primary productivity and strong tidal currents. Lack of post-Atomic Bomb radiocarbon in all but one of the gorgonin samples, and long radiocarbon reservoir ages in the Northeast Pacific, made radiocarbon-based verification of coral ages and growth rates difficult due to wide errors in calibrated age estimates. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios were inversely correlated in two of the three corals analyzed, and showed evidence of interannual variation. Mg/Ca ratios ranged from 70 to 136mmolmol−1, and Sr/Ca ratios from 2.041 to 3.14mmolmol−1. Previously published relationships between gorgonian calcite Mg/Ca and seawater temperature yielded average temperatures matching ambient measurements, but the intra- and inter-annual variation in apparent temperature based on the Mg/Ca ratios was more than double the observed variation in modern seawater temperature ranges in the region. Annual variation in Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca could be related to seasonal changes in precipitation efficiency, which is likely a function of short-term fluctuations in coral growth rate, in turn related to variation in primary productivity. Seasonal and interannual variations in food availability, driven by primary productivity, may affect skeletal growth rate, hence Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios. Primnoid coral skeletal microgeochemistry probably records temporal changes in both temperature and primary productivity.

Increasing temperature anomalies reduce coral growth in the Weizhou Island, northern South China Sea

The ways in which high-latitude corals respond to ongoing climate warming and the increasing incidence of extreme warm- and cold-water events remains unclear, probably due to a lack of field studies, especially in the northern South China Sea (NSCS). In this study, temporal variation in the skeletal growth rate in massive Porites lutea corals collected from the Weizhou Island, NSCS, was examined over a 27-year period (from 1984 to 2010). The coral skeletal extension rates were determined by using X-ray photography, and compared to the Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs) index (0–16.7 °C-weeks) and the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Anomalies (0–0.6 °C for + SST_anomaly, and −3.2–0 °C for -SST_anomaly). Historical extreme high and low temperature events were calculated to estimate warm- (DHW > 6 °C-weeks, +SST_anomaly > 0.2 °C) and cold- (-SST_anomaly < −1.6 °C) water stresses on reef-building corals. The average skeletal growth rate for all coral colonies was 6.3 mm year−1, ranging from 3.1 to 9.9 mm year−1. Coral skeletal growth consistently showed a downward trajectory, especially after the year of 1997. The mean value was 7.3 mm year−1 from 1984 to 1996 and then declined by approximately 26% to 5.4 mm year−1 from 1997 to 2010. We found that an increasing frequency and intensity in warm- and cold-stresses can explain the observed decline in growth rate of Porites colonies in the Weizhou Island.

Effects of Solution Stirring on the Growth of Bulk GaN Single Crystals by Na Flux Method

Recently, we succeeded in fabricating centimeter-sized bulk gallium nitride (GaN) crystals with large dislocation-free areas on a GaN point seed. However, problems of polycrystal formation, skeletal growth, and low growth rate still remained. In this study, to suppress skeletal growth, polycrystals formation and increase the growth rate, we introduced two types of solution-stirring techniques – rotating stirring and swinging stirring – in the growth on point seeds by the Na flux method. We found that increasing the reversal frequency of the rotating stirring and increasing the rate of the swinging stirring increased the growth rate and suppressed the formation of polycrystals and skeletal growth. Moreover, the maximum c-direction growth rate of 46 µm/h was achieved without the formation of polycrystals and skeletal growth. We conclude that solution stirring may be an effective technique for fabricating high-quality large bulk GaN crystals.

스마트폰 앱을 이용한 체중감량 프로그램이 고교생의 비만도와 신체조성에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a weight loss program administered through a smart phone application on body composition and obesity in adolescents. Methods: This study applied a 6-week weight loss program with dietary education, exercise therapy, and behavior modification therapy from 4 June 2012 to 20 July 2012. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed rank test using the SPSS WIN 18.0 program. Results: After the 6-week program, the average weight of the subjects was reduced from 75.96kg to 74.41kg (Z=<TEX>$-3.994^p$</TEX>, p<.001), while the body mass index (BMI) decreased from 29.23 to 28.60 (Z=<TEX>$-3.980^p$</TEX>, p<.001), and the obesity index decreased from 38.45% to 35.59% (Z=<TEX>$-3.977^p$</TEX>, p<.001). The percentage of body fat decreased from 32.45 to 31.92 (Z=<TEX>$-3.947^p$</TEX>, p<.001), and the rate of skeletal muscle growth increased from 26.06% to 26.58% (Z=<TEX>$-3.822^p$</TEX>, p<.001). Conclusion: A weight loss program using a SNS (social network service) application, with dietary education, exercise therapy, and behavior modification therapy can reduce obesity and impact body composition in a short-term. Therefore, the utilization of the SNS application can be used to effectively enhance the management of adolescent obesity.

Detrimental effects of ocean acidification on the economically important Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum)

The mean predicted decrease of 0.3-0.4pH units in the global surface ocean by the end of the century has prompted urgent research to assess the potential effects of ocean acidification on the marine environment, with strong emphasis on calcifying organisms. Among them, the Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum) is expected to be particularly susceptible to acidification effects, due to the elevated solubility of its Mg-calcite skeleton. This, together with the large overexploitation of this species, depicts a bleak future for this organism over the next decades. In this study, we evaluated the effects of low pH on the species from aquaria experiments. Several colonies of C. rubrum were long-term maintained for 314days in aquaria at two different pH levels (8.10 and 7.81, pHT ). Calcification rate, spicule morphology, major biochemical constituents (protein, carbohydrates and lipids) and fatty acids composition were measured periodically. Exposure to lower pH conditions caused a significant decrease in the skeletal growth rate in comparison with the control treatment. Similarly, the spicule morphology clearly differed between both treatments at the end of the experiment, with aberrant shapes being observed only under the acidified conditions. On the other hand, while total organic matter was significantly higher under low pH conditions, no significant differences were detected between treatments regarding total carbohydrate, lipid, protein and fatty acid composition. However, the lower variability found among samples maintained in acidified conditions relative to controls, suggests a possible effect of pH decrease on the metabolism of the colonies. Our results show, for the first time, evidence of detrimental ocean acidification effects on this valuable and endangered coral species.

Calcification by juvenile corals under heterotrophy and elevated CO2

Ocean acidification (OA) threatens the existence of coral reefs by slowing the rate of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) production of framework-building corals thus reducing the amount of CaCO3 the reef can produce to counteract natural dissolution. Some evidence exists to suggest that elevated levels of dissolved inorganic nutrients can reduce the impact of OA on coral calcification. Here, we investigated the potential for enhanced energetic status of juvenile corals, achieved via heterotrophic feeding, to modulate the negative impact of OA on calcification. Larvae of the common Atlantic golf ball coral, Favia fragum, were collected and reared for 3 weeks under ambient (421 μatm) or significantly elevated (1,311 μatm) CO2 conditions. The metamorphosed, zooxanthellate spat were either fed brine shrimp (i.e., received nutrition from photosynthesis plus heterotrophy) or not fed (i.e., primarily autotrophic). Regardless of CO2 condition, the skeletons of fed corals exhibited accelerated development of septal cycles and were larger than those of unfed corals. At each CO2 level, fed corals accreted more CaCO3 than unfed corals, and fed corals reared under 1,311 μatm CO2 accreted as much CaCO3 as unfed corals reared under ambient CO2. However, feeding did not alter the sensitivity of calcification to increased CO2; ∆ calcification/∆Ω was comparable for fed and unfed corals. Our results suggest that calcification rates of nutritionally replete juvenile corals will decline as OA intensifies over the course of this century. Critically, however, such corals could maintain higher rates of skeletal growth and CaCO3 production under OA than those in nutritionally limited environments.

Does trophic status enhance or reduce the thermal tolerance of scleractinian corals? A review, experiment and conceptual framework.

Global warming, and nutrient and sediment runoff from coastal development, both exert increasing pressures on coastal coral reefs. The objective of this study was to resolve the question of whether coastal eutrophication may protect corals from thermal stress by improving their nutritional status, or rather diminish their thermal tolerance through the synergy of dual stressors. A review of previous studies on the topic of combined trophic status and heat exposure on the thermal tolerance of corals reveals a broad range of outcomes, including synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects. We conducted a 90-day long experiment exposing corals to realistic levels of elevated nutrients and sediments, and heat stress. Colonies of two common scleractinian corals (Acropora millepora and Montipora tuberculosa) were kept in coastal seawater, or coastal seawater that was further organically and nutrient enriched (OE), and/or enriched with nitrate. Batches of OE were created daily, facilitating nutrient uptake, plankton succession and organic enrichment as observed in coastal waters. After 10 days of acclimation, 67% of the colonies had their temperature gradually increased from 27° to 31.2°C. After 3–7 weeks of heat stress, colonies of both species had significantly greater reductions in fluorescence yields and lower survival in OE than without addition of OE. Furthermore, photophysiological recovery was incomplete 31–38 days after ending the heat stress only in the OE treatments. Nitrate alone had no measurable effect on survival, bleaching and recovery in either species. Skeletal growth rates were reduced by 45% in heat-stressed A. millepora and by 24% in OE-exposed M. tuberculosa. We propose a conceptual trophic framework that resolves some of the apparently contradictory outcomes revealed by the review. Our study shows that management actions to reduce coastal eutrophication can improve the resistance and resilience of vulnerable coastal coral reefs to warming temperatures.

An evaluation of staining techniques for marking daily growth in scleractinian corals

In situ skeletal markers have been widely used to quantify skeletal growth rates of scleractinian corals on sub-annual time-scales. Nevertheless, an evaluation of different techniques, both in terms of their efficacy and potential impacts on the growth process itself, has not been undertaken. Here the effects of exposure to four different dyes (alizarin, alizarin complexone, calcein, and oxytetracycline) and isotope spikes (Ba and Sr) on the growth rates of scleractinian corals are compared. Oxytetracycline increased coral growth. Alizarin, alizarin complexone, calcein, and Sr and Ba isotope spikes had no significant effect on coral growth, but polyp extension appeared reduced during exposure to alizarin and alizarin complexone. Calcein provided a more intense fluorescent mark than either alizarin or alizarin complexone. Isotope spikes were challenging to locate using isotope ratio analysis techniques. Thus, calcein appears best suited for marking short-term calcification increments in corals, while a combination of alizarin or alizarin complexone and calcein may be useful for dual labeling experiments as there is little overlap in their fluorescence spectra.

The effect of zooxanthellae availability on the rates of skeletal growth in the Red Sea coral Acropora hemprichii

Zooxanthellae density affects growth rate of Acropora hemprichii at reef flat and 10m depth, where the correlations were significantly moderate at reef flat (r=0.461 &P<0.01) and significantly high at 10m depth (r=0.636 &P=0.424). While non interactive effects were obtained at 20 and 25m depth, where the correlations were non significant (r=0.346 &P<0.19 and r=0.103 &P<0.706, respectively). Either zooxanthellae density, hosted by A. hemprichii, or growth rate was decreased with depth increase. Zooxanthellae density at reef flat (1.55±0.303×106cells/cm2) was twice higher than at 25m depth (0.706±0.253×106cells/cm2). However, growth rate at reef flat was approximately three times higher than 25m depth (0.013±0.0024mm/day). The maximum growth rate (0.0335mm/day) and zooxanthellae density (1.32×106cells/cm2) were recorded during summer season, and the minimum growth rate (0.01769mm/day) and zooxanthellae density (0.931106cells/cm2) were recorded during autumn.