Pica D. auteur aut IRD Tribollet Aline auteur aut IRD Golubic S. auteur aut IRD Bo M. auteur aut IRD Di Camillo C. G. auteur aut IRD Bavestrello G. auteur aut IRD Puce S. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Microboring or euendolithic microorganisms, which colonize and penetrate various carbonate substrates, are abundant in coral reef ecosystems and play a major role in reef carbonate dissolution. A few studies reported the presence of euendoliths in stylasterid coral skeletons but the biological identity, distribution and abundance of these microorganisms remain largely unknown. Observations of over 100 stylasterid colonies, collected in the Indo-Pacific area, revealed for the first time that the association between these corals and euendolith organisms appears to be quite common in shallow tropical waters. The most abundant euendolith was identified as a cryptic stage in the development of the rhodophyte Porphyra (Conchocelis stage). The euendoliths were observed in the skeletons of seven species of three genera (four Stylaster, two Distichopora and one Lepidotheca). The presence of euendoliths inside skeletons conferred a particular colour to the studied stylasterid corals. Distribution and abundance of microborings varied significantly among stylasterid species and among branches of a single colony and so did the colour of their skeletons. Colonization of skeletons and the associated colour distribution were almost uniform in some stylasterids, forming an upward gradually diminishing or sharply limited gradient. This study shows that patterns of euendolith colonization and growth in stylasterid skeletons may depend on the stage of the euendolith development as well as on their environmental requirements such as light exposure. specialized Conchocelis coral reefs euendoliths hydroid microborers stylasterid corals OCEAN INDIEN PACIFIQUE INDONESIE ZANZIBAR FIDJI 036 12 6 573-582 2016 1745-1000 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010067680 10.1080/17451000.2016.1169298 1745-1000 [F B010067680] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010067680 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2016/08/010067680.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2016-09-05 2017-08-23 fdi:010067680 fre