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Coral can have growth anomalies
Citation:
PETERS, E. C. AND D. L. SANTAVY. Coral can have growth anomalies. Chapter 4, Kruczynski, W.L. and P.J. Fletcher (ed.), Tropical Connections: South Florida's marine environment. University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, , 226, (2012).
Impact/Purpose:
Book chapter
Description:
Coral growth anomalies (GAs) are changes in the coral cells that deposit the calcium carbonate skeleton. They usually appear as raised areas of the skeleton and tissue that are different from the surrounding normal areas on the same colony. The features include abnormal shape and size of the corallites (skeletal cups that protect the polyps), presence and development of the polyps, and either paler or darker tissue color. Because GAs are well-circumscribed masses with a faster rate of skeletal accretion, they have been called “tumors” and compared to cancer. The cause(s) are unknown, although recent research suggests an infectious agent, like a virus or DNA mutations caused by UV light or toxins, might produce abnormal proliferating cells. Two kinds of GAs are generally recognized.