Alveopora japonica beds thriving under kelp

Abstract

Alveopora japonica Eguchi, 1968 (Scleractinia, Acroporidae) is a temperate-specific and uncommon coral which occurs in shallow benthic communities from southern Taiwan to high-latitude areas of Japan (Dai and Horng 2009). It is also a peculiar species among the scleractinians due to its association with Symbiodinium clades C, E, and F (Rodriguez-Lanetty et al. 2003 Jeong et al. 2012).In October 2012, we found extensive A. japonica beds (Fig. 1a, b) at Biyangdo located to the northwest of Jeju Island, South Korea (33°245N, 126°138E). Usually rare and occurring among algae and soft corals, this species forms a dense and almost monospecific carpet at 10~17 m in depth at this site. 관련과제 F643100404peculiar species among the scleractinians due to its association with Symbiodinium clades C, E, and F (Rodriguez-Lanetty et al. 2003 Jeong et al. 2012).In October 2012, we found extensive A. japonica beds (Fig. 1a, b) at Biyangdo located to the northwest of Jeju Island, South Korea (33°245N, 126°138E). Usually rare and occurring among algae and soft corals, this species forms a dense and almost monospecific carpet at 10~17 m in depth at this site. 관련과제 F643100404