effects of fragment salvage size and light intensity in closed system culture of the Atlantic ocean coral species, Acropora cervicornis

Acropora cervicornis is an important Caribbean shallow water reef building coral species which is currently federally protected, and a candidate for the U.S. endangered species list. A. cervicornis is an excellent candidate for fragment salvage or reef transplantation because it exhibits rapid growth rates, can be successfully fragmented, and is tolerant to a wide range of light intensities. The success of restoration efforts for A. cervicornis is dependent upon the complete understanding of its growth parameters. This study documents the culture conditions for growing A. cervicornis in a closed system, and the effects of fragment size and light intensity on growth and survivorship. A. cervicornis was successfully fragmented and grown under aquaculture conditions. Fragment size significantly effected percent weight gain growth rates, but did not significantly effect absolute weight gain growth rates. Light intensity significantly effected absolute weight gain growth rates, but did not significantly effect percent weight gain growth rates.