The Effects of Light and Sedimentation on Wound Healing in the Scleractinian Coral Acropora Secale

Claire Murphy

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Coral, Wound Healing, Sedimentation, Light

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The effects of light and sedimentation on wound healing in coral remain unclear. Past studies have indicated that sedimentation stress before wound infliction promotes the redistribution of energy to colony maintenance and wound healing. Other studies investigating the effects of light attenuation on wound healing have shown mixed data. Using aquacultured fragments of Acropora secale, this study focused on the effects of sedimentation and the zooxanthellae in wound healing. The results from the sedimentation portion were inconclusive. However, other results indicated that the zooxanthellae play a secondary role in wound healing, and that nutrients from heterotrophic activity are critical. The wounds inflicted for this set of studies were deep tissue wounds, and the corals were monitored until visibly healed. The wound healing rates (mm�/day) were highly reduced as compared to others found in the literature for similar species.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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