The size-structure of corals with contrasting life-histories: A multi-scale analysis across environmental conditions
Résumé
We report variation in the size-structure of three coral taxa in the Society Islands (French Polynesia)
using a hierarchical sampling design that integrates the regional (among three islands: Moorea, Raiatea,
Tahiti), island (among three locations around each island), and local levels (among three depths: 6, 12,
18 m, at each location). All coral taxa exhibited strong heterogeneity in their size-structure, with marked
variation among depths, locations, and islands. Porites spp. and Acropora globiceps populations at 6 m
depth were dominated by smaller size classes compared to other depths. Regional-scale variation was
particularly evident for Pocillopora meandrina and A. globiceps, with a higher proportion of smaller colonies
found at Raiatea, probably as a result of recent cyclones followed by higher recruitment rates.
Porites spp. populations were characterized by a preponderance of larger colonies, and greater size
ranges compared to the other two taxa