Population Recovery in Acropora palmata
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Acropora palmata colony growing from a fragment of a previous colony
 Delta Seven is conducting exploratory work in assisting with the recovery of the Acropora palmata populations in the lower keys.

This work is still in its early stages and results are not yet available.

One result is certain:  Acropora palmata is reproducting in the keys.  The occurrence of sexual reproduction has been questioned recently.  Many people maintain that the species is not capable of sexual reproduction due to genetic restrictions.  The hypothesis is that the only spread of the species is by fragmentation and budding.

Some of the colonies under observation, however, could only be formed by newly settled larvae, proving sexual reproduction is happening.  The frequency and larval dispersal patterns are still unknown.

The study site is devoid of Diadema antillarum, but still attracts recruits.  This relationship is not yet understood.
See the Preliminary Report

This colony is growing on dead skeletal material but is the result of larval colonization

Young (< 1 year old) Acropora palmata colony derived from planula
Colony is mix of recovering fragment and newly settled planula

Preparing fragments to attract new larvae
Colony of ambiguous origin: possibly a recovering fragment; more likely to be from new settlement
Temperatures measured adjacent to healthy Acropora palmata colonies.  Peak is 33 deg c.  Low is 26.4. Trace is May to August 2007.