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Biology and Ecology of Marginopora vertebralis (Foraminiferida), Great Barrier Reef
Author(s) -
ROSS CHARLES A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1972.tb03433.x
Subject(s) - hermatypic coral , biology , zooxanthellae , gymnodinium , photic zone , reef , ecology , coelenterata , algae , marine larval ecology , host (biology) , cnidaria , zoology , symbiosis , coral , paleontology , larva , phytoplankton , nutrient , bacteria
SYNOPSIS.Marginopora vertebralis Quoy and Gaimard is a large calcareous Foraminiferida adapted to euphotic sedimentary basins associated with tropical reefs. This and other species of foraminiferids commonly are abundant and loosely bind substrate sediments with their pseudopods to reduce erosion by waves and currents. Three stages of shell construction, embryonic, laminate and reproduction chamber stages, characterize major changes in the growth of individuals. A flexostyle in the embryonic apparatus and reproductive chambers that are well developed are reported for the 1st time in this species and genus. Reproduction in M. vertebralis is primarily asexual and reproductive activity is greatest during the late spring on the Great Barrier Reef. Reproductive maturity requires a year and commonly longer. M. vertebralis is host to at least one species and perhaps several species of zooxanthellae‐dinoflagellates of which the most common is Gymnodinium rotundatum in its motile form. These zooxanthellae are abundant in the protoplasm of M. vertebralis , give the living foraminifer a distinctive yellow‐brownish green color, and apparently are symbiotic. M. vertebralis and perhaps other large calcareous foraminifers which are hosts to similar zooxanthellae‐dinoflagellates may have an important ecologic relationship to hermatypic corals in serving as an alternate host in the life cycle of this symbiotic group. Such a symbiotic and alternate‐host relationship may explain the similar geographic distributions of large calcareous foraminifers and reef‐building hermatypic corals.