title: Inhibition of larval swimming activity of the coral (Platygyra acuta) by interactive thermal and chemical stresses.
abstract: This study examined the interactive effects of copper and elevated temperature and subsequent depuration on Platygyra acuta coral larvae. Larval mortality and motility were significantly affected by copper alone (70% and 100% inhibition respectively). Their respective lethal/inhibitory concentration (LC50/IC50) were 10-130% and 86-193% higher than those reported for other larvae. Temperature (ambient, 27°C and elevated, 30°C) alone and the combination of temperature and copper did not significantly affect both endpoints. This study provides the first quantitative data on depuration effect on resumption of larval motility after copper exposure, although no sign of larval recovery was observed. These findings suggest that the effects of copper pollution outweigh the thermal tolerance of coral larvae. High LC50 and IC50 recorded may be unique for corals from marginal reefs like Hong Kong which have already been exposed to high levels of copper pollution.
authors.affiliation: Biology Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Ang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity; D006723:Hong Kong; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013696:Temperature; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper
keywords: Copper pollution; Coral larval mortality; Coral larval motility; Depuration; Elevated temperature; Synergism