Breeder Challenge #1: Manicina areolata (Linnaeus, 1758)

BrianPlankis · 10-30-2006, 12:59 PM

Hey all,

One of the ultimate goals of Project DIBS is to get multiple species of coral breeding in member tanks. Coral Propogation is fabulous, but is unlikely to meet demand, especially if governments restrict or stop wild collection. The only way to go long term is breeding of coral.

A couple of articles from Eric Borneman:

Reproduction in Aquarium Corals

Reproduction in Aquarium Corals: Part II. Reports of Sexual Spawning in Captivity

The first coral we will be attempting is Manicina areolata (Linnaeus, 1758). While documentation is sketchy, many coral experts believe that Manicina areolata is a species capable of sexual brooding of planulae.

Eric has obtained some specimens of Manicina areolata (Linnaeus, 1758) and I will be placing some of them in my tank once I have redesigned my tank. Eric will also be attempting to raise them and will provide more information on their origin and background. I believe PUMA will be involved once his new system is setup and stable.

More in a minute....

Brian

BrianPlankis · 10-30-2006, 01:03 PM

Here are a few other links i found on Manicina sp.:

These corals have been shown to be self righting! Pretty cool article with illustrations:
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/rieglb/pdfs/pdf31.pdf

http://porites.geology.uiowa.edu/dat...t/mareolat.htm

http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch...0pages/585.htm

A very interesting article on recruitment of M. areolata on the seagrass Thalassia testudinum, which might be a settlement cue for the coral. It also points out that there is a strong relationship between M. areolata settlement and distribution of Neogoniolithon sp. (A species of branching coralline algae).

Citation:
Wilson, H.V. (2005) On the development of Manicina areolata. Journal of Morphology. Volume 2, Issue 2 , Pages 191 - 252

Brian

BrianPlankis · 10-30-2006, 01:05 PM

If anyone else is interested in attempting to breed this coral, please respond in this thread. This will probably be a long term project, so it is unlikely we'll have any soon, but once we do we should have many to spread around.

Brian

wwest · 10-30-2006, 01:26 PM

I still have to read up on the coral but it sounds like something i would be interested in.

BrianPlankis · 10-30-2006, 01:32 PM

http://www.springerlink.com/content/r77x10q416133j14/

Eric Borneman · 10-31-2006, 09:55 AM

I have acquired 15 colonies of this coral for use in breeding program. This coral is commonly found as hithchikers on the Florida aquacultured rock and they are periodically available from Aquatouch (talk to Michael Janes) in Phoenix, AZ. I will post appropriate references on the coral - some of which I will have to get an interlibrary loan to acquire - soon

BrianPlankis · 11-06-2006, 04:49 PM

Hey all,

I would like to suggest that anyone interested in joining this project to spend a few dollars and purchase the following article on invertebrate larvae rearing:

http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252

I have compared this article to some of the information presented in what is considered the bible of larvae rearing (Strathmann, M. F. 1987. Reproduction and development of marine invertebrates of the Northern Pacific coast. University of Washington Press. Seattle. 670 pp.
) and much of it is the same excellent advice and Dr Shimek's article is accessible to everyone and the bible is hard to find or borrow (unless you have access to a major university library)

Brian

dwculp · 01-02-2007, 08:32 PM

I have a TBS tank and have two specimens of Manicina areolata. One is in excellent health and is about the size of small adult fist when fully inflated. The other is not an adequate specimen for the project. When originally placed in my tank it was covered by another rock and eventually I ended up scrubbing it down when I had a dino outbreak. Amazingly it is coming back but is quite small.

I have a spare 29 gallon tank I can use for the project and if pointed in the right direction I can acquire more specimens. My tanks are in my classroom and I can get the kids involved in the project.

Let me know what I need to do!

BrianPlankis · 01-02-2007, 10:16 PM

Glad to see you on board!

Now we just need to get the whole TBS group on board

Actually, maybe reefkeeping will let me post a message in TBS's forum? I'll have to check into that.

There should be a way for us to get you a couple more specimens somehow. We are planning on starting this Breeder Challenge sometime in February and as that gets closer I'll be sure to let you know more details.

Brian

dwculp · 01-03-2007, 01:51 PM

I just want to make sure this is Manicina areolata: