Age and growth of fungiid corals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Two species of free-living and solitary corals such as <i>Fungia paumotensis</i> Stuchbury, 1833 and <i>Fungia repanda</i> Dana, 1846 under the family Fungiidae were examined inside <i>in situ</i> condition for 2 years to correlate and compare the age and growth relationship in Andaman Sea. Quarterly analysis of data revealed that, <i>Fungia paumotensis</i> showed higher growth rate {(0.323 ± 0.028 cm (mean ± SD)} while <i>Fungia repanda </i> showed lower growth rate {0.236 ± 0.045 cm (mean ± SD)}. <i>Fungia paumotensis</i> registered lower correlation co-efficient (R² = 0.422) with the age whilst <i>Fungia repanda </i> shown higher correlation co-efficient (R²= 0.857) with the age. The ratio of morphological attributes remained same during the course of aging for both the species. Mass of dry skeletal amplified exponentially with the length of the polyps for both the experimental species. <i>Fungia paumotensis </i> attained more skeletal mass than <i> Fungia repanda </i> during the size increment. Growth rings at the aboral sides of the coralla indicated a maximum age of 7 years i.e. post-tsunami recruitment of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.