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An experimental mesocosm for long-term studies of reef corals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2011

Cecilia D'angelo  and
Jörg Wiedenmann
Cecilia D'angelo
Affiliation:
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton/University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
Jörg Wiedenmann*
Affiliation:
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton/University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: J. Wiedenmann, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton/University of Southampton email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Molecular biological methods including genomic and proteomic approaches hold a specific promise to provide new insights into the stress physiology of corals. However, to fully exploit the power of these techniques, aquarium setups are required that allow biological assays under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. Here, details are provided about the successful development of a closed coral mesocosm at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The system can be operated without access to natural seawater and allows long-term observations and experimental studies of reef corals. The individual experimental tanks allow the corals to be exposed, for example, to different light and/or temperature conditions without the need to disconnect them from the system.

Keywords

experimental mesocosmstress physiologyscleractinian corals
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 92 , Issue 4: Coral Reefs, the Aquarium Trade and the Maritime Industry , June 2012 , pp. 769 - 775
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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