DEPTH-RELATED PATTERNS OF CORAL RECRUITMENT AND CRYPTIC SUSPENSION-FEEDING INVERTEBRATES ON GUANA ISLAND, BRITISH VIRING ISLANDS

摘要

Scleractinian coral recruitment is known to vary at a variety of spatial scales, from centimeters to hundreds of kilometers. This study examined patterns of coral recruitment and cryptic space utilization on artificial settlement plates over three depths(6,15 and 24 m)and at two reefs on Guana Island(18°N), British Virgin Islands. Brooding corals (mostly Agaricia spp. with some Porites spp.)dominated recruitment patterns.