Morphological plasticity in a gorgonian coral (Briareum asbestinum) over a depth dine

We document pronounced variation in whole colony morphology as well as polyp density, sclerite morphology, egg size, and egg number between colonies of Bnareum asbestinum (Gorgonacea) from shallow and deep reefs.Colonies from shallow (5 m) sites are shorter and stouter than colonies from deep (35 m ) sites, w ~t h a greater density of polyps, greater number of eggs per polyp, and larger eggs than the11 deep counterparts; in addition, deep colonies contain longer sclerites than shallow colonies.Through a transplant experiment, w e demonstrate that variation In morphology of colonies and sclerites between shallow and deep reefs is due, in part, to environmental effects.The stout colonies of shallow reefs become thinner In deeper water a n d develop longer sclerites and fewer polyps.Deep-water colonies become stouter and develop more polyps when moved to shallow water.The shifts in sclente morphology may have consequences for resistance to predation.Cyphoma gibbosum (Gastropoda) avoids artificial foods invested with deep water relative to shallow water sclerites.