Successful methods for transplanting fragments of Acropora formosa and Acropora hyacinthus.

Abstract In order to establish a successful method for the transplantation of branching and tabular coral fragments, we tested the effects of orientations of attachment, seasons of transplantation, and size of fragments on survival, growth, and spawning using Acropora formosa and A. hyacinthus. Vertically attached, large-sized fragments of A. formosa showed 98100% survival rate after 18months. The fragments transplanted in August exhibited better survival than those transplanted in November. The larger fragments had the higher percentage of spawning. The fragments that spawned had lower growth rate, while those resorbed the oocytes carried at the time of transplantation showed higher growth rate, suggesting the trade-off between growth and reproduction. Half of the fragments spawned 1month earlier than the donor colonies. Only the vertically attached fragments of A. hyacinthus fused to the substratum, and those transplanted in February showed 100% survival rate after 14months, indicating that this species is well suited for transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]