Abstract
Abstract: Effective transplantation techniques are a key step in developing in situ manipulative studies. Gorgonian octocorals have biological and morphological features suitable for such studies. Therefore, three methods were employed for the transplantation of the gorgonian octocoral Melithaea flabellifera. Method 1 was for the reattachment of a gorgonian to its original stem. Methods 2 and 3 were for the transplantation to hard substrata such as natural rock walls(Method 2)and concrete artificial reefs(Method 3). These meth ods remarkably shortened the time needed for the underwater manipulative work.Throughout the study period, the persistence rates of the transplanted gorgonians were high except for the period when typhoons impacted when also natural dislodgements increased. Growth rates during the eight-week study period were small, but positive. These results showed the validity of the transplantation methods. The methods may also be applicable to other erect-form sessile organisms on hard substrata such as other gorgonians, hydroids, bryozoans and algae.
