Open AccessFirst report of chimerism in the Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum)
Author(s) -
Bruna Giordano,
Lorenzo Bramanti
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
mediterranean marine science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1791-6763
pISSN - 1108-393X
DOI - 10.12681/mms.25553
Subject(s) - coral , chimera (genetics) , biology , mediterranean climate , coelenterata , mediterranean sea , settlement (finance) , zoology , botany , immunology , ecology , cnidaria , gene , genetics , world wide web , computer science , payment
The phenomenon of chimerism in the Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum) is reported and quantified in semi-natural conditions. 1688 larvae were maintained in closed circuit in presence of a suitable settlement surface (marble tiles). Post settlement survival and chimera formation were monitored for 1 year. According to our observation, when polyps settle at close contact, a high frequency of chimerism is observed (32%). After 1 year, only 33% of chimeric individuals survived but they are 40% bigger than not chimeric ones, suggesting that chimerism could confer a competitive advantage linked to increased growth rate.