The recent decline of Montastraea annularis (complex) coral populations in western Curaçao: a cause for concern?

Shallow leeward reefs off the western end of Curaçao are dominated by extensive populations of M. annularis (complex). These species are larger in size (mean= 66 cm diameter) than all other species, with few small colonies (<30 cm) and notable absence of recruits. In 1998, colonies of M. annularis (complex) accounted for more then 45% of all species >10 cm observed within transects, and most exhibited low levels of partial mortality (mean=22.5%). These species were less abundant (38% of all colonies) in 2005. Partial mortality among live colonies of M. annularis and M. faveolata increase... Mehr ...