Yu Ya Latypov
In 2003-2005 and 2010-2011, experimental commercial cultivation of 14 species of hermatypic corals was carried out using the method of donor colony fragmentation. The transplants successfully survived on experimental frame installations. The coral colonies that were recovered from the fragments became attached to the frame installations in a similar way to their attachment on natural substrata. The research has established species-specific factors and others affecting regeneration of fragments and growth of new colonies in these coral species. The accretion of donor fragments and new branches averaged from 40 to 160 mm per year, depending on the coral species, colony size, and season of transplantation. An average monthly accretion of medium and larger transplants and growth of new branches were 1.2-1.3 times higher at spring cultivation than at autumn transplanting. When transplanted, coral fragments of medium and larger sizes survived well and showed higher growth rates in all species studied. After 1-1.5 year, the size of the transplants was found to have increased by 220-275%. The newly formed artificial coral community was colonized by the damselfish Dascyllus reticulates (Pomacentridae).
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