Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs V2

Biology 1

1st Edition - November 12, 2012
Editor: O.A. Jones
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 4 1 4 4 7 5 - 0
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 1 4 7 9 3 - 4

Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs, Volume II: Biology 1 discusses the major advances made in the biological aspects of coral reef problems. This book is organized into 12 chapters… Read more

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Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs, Volume II: Biology 1 discusses the major advances made in the biological aspects of coral reef problems. This book is organized into 12 chapters that cover the microbial aspects of coral reefs, the nutrition in corals, and diversity in coral reefs. The opening chapters describe the distribution and role of coral reef microorganisms, as well as the significance of bacterioplankton as a food source for the marine fauna of coral reefs. The following chapter discusses the occurrence of algae in coral reef, their competition with corals for space, and their role in reef construction. Other chapters deal with food and feeding mechanisms of corals, the role of marine antibiotics in coral reef ecology, and some chemical compounds isolated from coral reef organisms, providing evidence for marine pharmacologic activity in coral reef areas. The book also discusses some basic problems relating to the distribution and abundance of hermatypic corals on reefs. It then examines species diversity on coral reefs, variety of reef structure, and the important role of toxic materials produced by holothurians on the general ecology and physiology of coral reefs. The last chapters describe the development, feeding, and behavior of the larval stages of several coral reef asteroids. Particular emphasis is given to the larval and post-larval stages of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. The starfish population explosions, the devastating effects on the hard coral cover of coral reefs, and causes and control of population explosions are also covered. This volume will acquaint readers with some of the exciting developments in coral reef biology and will provide information that will enable them to assess the status of research in different fields.

List of Contributors

General Preface

Preface to Volume II: Biology 1

Contents of Volume I: Geology 1

1. Microbial Ecology

I. Introduction

II. Microorganisms in Waters and Sands

III. Bacteria in Complex Reef Environments

IV. Microbiological Involvement in Internal Reef Carbonate Dynamics

V. Microbiological Diversity

References

2. Microbiological Aspects of the Productivity of Coral Reefs

I. Introduction

II. Biomass and Productivity of the Microflora of Sediments and of Dead Corals

III. Biomass and Productivity of the Microflora Found in Waters of Lagoons

IV. Bacteria as Food of Coral Reef Animals

V. Effect of Pollution on the Coral Reef Environments

VI. Influence of Coral Reef Ecosystems upon Productivity of Surrounding Oceanic Waters

VII. General Conclusions

References

3. The Algae of the Great Barrier Reefs

I. The Great Barrier Reefs

II. Nomenclature

III. Capricorn and Bunker Groups of Reefs

IV. Low Isles Reef

V. Factors Influencing Biotic Distribution on the Reef

VI. Algae in Destruction of the Reef

VII. Algae in Construction of the Reef

VIII. Terrestrial Algae

IX. Floristics

References

4. Nutrition of Corals

I. Introduction

II. Feeding Structures, Mechanisms, and Behavior

III. Food of Reef Corals

IV. Digestion, Assimilation, Transport, and Excretion

V. Role of Zooxanthellae

VI. Summary

References

5. The Ecology of Marine Antibiotics and Coral Reefs

I. Introduction

II. The Concept of Antibiosis

III. Growth Inhibitors in Seawater

IV. Bacteria as Producers of Antibiotics

V. Phytoplankton and Microalgae

VI. Macroalgae

VII. Sponge Antibiotics

VIII. Coelenterates

IX. Antibiotic Worms

X. Mollusks

XI. Arthropods

XII. Echinoderms

XIII. Tunicates

XIV. Hemichordates and Chordates

XV. Miscellaneous Observations

References

6. Comparative Biochemistry of Coral Reef Coelenterates

I. Introduction

II. Lipids

III. Terpene Compounds

IV. Nitrogen Compounds

V. Carbohydrates

VI. Pigments

VII. Halogen Compounds

References

7. Population Ecology of Reef-Building Corals

I. Introduction

II. Reproduction

III. Larval Dispersal and Settlement

IV. Recruitment of New Colonies

V. Growth, Occupation of Space, and Estimation of Age

VI. Mortality

VII. Longevity and Age Distribution

VIII. Variations in Abundance

IX. Summary

References

8. Variety in Coral Reef Communities

I. Introduction

II. Measurements of Patterns of Distribution

III. Life History

IV. Toxicity and Color Polymorphism in Common Reef Species

V. Conclusions

References

9. Aspects of the Ecology of Coral Reefs in the Western Atlantic Region

I. Introduction

II. General Character of Western Atlantic Coral Reefs

III. Structure, Zonation, and Species Composition

IV. Associated Plankton Community

V. Coral and Coral Reef Growth Rates

VI. Biotic Interactions at the Community Level

References

10. The Biology and Ecology of Tropical Holothurians

I. Introduction

II. Geological History and Distribution

III. Population Density

IV. Size, Growth, and Coloration

V. Biochemistry

VI. Reproduction

VII. Osmoregulation, Respiration, and Temperature Tolerance

VIII. Feeding

IX. Digestion

X. Effects on Coral Reefs

XI. Behavior

XII. Evisceration and Autotomy

XIII. Regeneration

XIV. Cuvierian Tubules

XV. Toxicity

XVI. Prédation

XVII. Biological Associations

XVIII. Economics

XIX. Summary

References

11. Early Life Histories of Coral Reef Asteroids, with Special Reference to Acanthaster planci (L.)

I. Introduction

II. Larval Development and Behavior of Coral Reef Asteroids

III. Settlement and Metamorphosis of Acanthaster Brachiolariae

IV. Growth and Behavior of Juvenile Acanthaster planet

V. Discussion

References

12. Population Explosions of Acanthaster planet and Associated Destruction of Hermatypic Corals in the Indo-West Pacific Region

I. Introduction

II. The Biology of Acanthaster planet

III. Population Explosions of Acanthaster planet and Infestations of Reefs

IV. Effects of A. planci Population Explosions on Coral Reefs

V. History of Infestations of Coral Reefs by A. planet

VI. Possible Causes of the A. planet Population Explosions

VII. Assessment of the Seriousness of the A. planet Problem and of the Need for Control Measures

VIII. Conclusions

References

Author Index

Systematic Index

Subject Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs V2

Biology 1

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