The Physiology of Sclerochronology: Mechanism and Variationin Formation of High Density Bands in the Massive Coral Montastrea Annularis

高密度（HD）带在礁珊瑚骨骼的X光片上标志着年周期的生长，可能是由于对温度和光照的季节性周期的生理反应而形成的。然而，对任何珊瑚的形成机制尚未确定。HD波段通常用于定义年波段，因此了解其形成和对其时间变化的控制是很重要的。在研究中，将根据早期NSF资助获得的生理和形态学数据，开发密度带形成的概念模型。这项工作的四个具体方面将包括：(1)建立古气候工作中使用的主要珊瑚环斑蒙塔斯特（Montastrea annularis） HD波段形成的机械数学模型；(2)进行现场试验，检验模型的有效性；(3) HD波段形成时间变异的遗传和环境因素的评价；(4)评价HD波段与稳定同位素剖面关系的珊瑚间差异。这项研究将为精确使用珊瑚密度带进行古气候学研究提供所需的环境生理数据。

High density (HD) bands mark annual cycles of growth in X- radiographs of reef coral skeletons and presumably form due to physiological response to seasonal cycles of temperature and light. However, the mechanism of formation has not been established for any coral. The HD band is usually used to define the annual band, and thus understanding its formation, and the controls on variability in its timing is important. In the research, a conceptual model of how density bands form, based on physiological and morphological data obtained with earlier NSF funding, is will be developed. Four specific aspects of the work will include: (1) development of a mechanistic mathematical model for the formation of the HD band of Montastrea annularis, a major coral used in paleoclimate work; (2) conducting an in situ experiment to test the validity of the model; (3) evaluation of the genetic vs. environmental components of variation in time of formation of the HD band; and (4) assessment of the variation among corals in the relationship between HD bands and stable isotope profiles. This study will provide the type of environmental physiological data needed for the precise use of coral density bands for paleoclimatology.