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First published online April 18, 2006
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 1690-1695 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02168

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Energy integration between the solitary polyps of the clonal coral Lobophyllia corymbosa

Itzchak Brickner¹, Uri Oren¹, Uri Frank² and Yossi Loya^1,*

¹ Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
² Department of Zoology and The Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: yosiloya{at}post.tau.ac.il)

Accepted 16 February 2006

Clonal integration in the coral Lobophyllia corymbosa was studied from two perspectives: transfer of carbon among clonemates and allorecognition. This coral forms colonies in the early post-metamorphic stages. In later ontogeny, the tissues interconnecting polyps die, transforming the colony into a clone of solitary polyps. These polyps continue to live in close proximity but without tissue continuity. Isolated polyps labeled with radioactive carbon in the light showed oriented transfer of assimilates towards adjacent, injured polyps. No significant transfer of carbon was observed towards intact, isogeneic polyps or allogeneic polyps. Grafting of coral tissues resulted in intra-clonal fusion, but only when polyps were previously sectioned. Allogeneic sectioned grafts were always rejected. Intact polyps were unresponsive towards isogeneic and allogeneic counterparts when grafted. Our results show that isolated Lobophyllia polyps not only recognize their clonemates as such, but also help them when necessary, although no tissue continuity exists between them.

Key words: Lobophyllia, integration, injury, allorecognition, ¹⁴C-labeling

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