We assessed the in situ daily primary production, photosynthetic efficiency, and xanthophyll cycling of a temperate coral, Cladocora caespitosa , during the summer using an in situ incubation chamber equipped with temperature, oxygen, light, salinity, and pH sensors. During sunny days, photosynthetic carbon (C) production rates of C. caespitosa can be as high as those measured for tropical corals and rapidly follow changes in...

Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios ( δ 13 C and δ 15 N) were determined in the zooxanthellae, host tissue, and whole symbiotic association of the symbiotic temperate coral Cladocora caespitosa , as well as in the different components of the coral's potential food sources (plankton, particulate organic matter in seawater and in the sediment). Data were collected both in winter and summer at three different locations, to assess...

The effect of auto‐ and heterotrophy on the carbon isotope composition (δ 13 C) of fatty acids (FA) and sterols was studied in the scleractinian coral Turbinaria reniformis. Colonies were maintained in aquaria for 6 weeks under two light levels (100 and 300 mmol photons m −2 s −1 ) and/or two trophic conditions (starved and fed twice a week with zooplankton). In high‐light conditions, lipid biomarkers, both in the zooxanthella...

The interaction between photosynthesis and calcification remains poorly known in zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. We tested whether calcification is a significant source of CO 2 for photosynthesis in Stylophora pistillata . Rates of net photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification were measured on colonies incubated in synthetic seawater (SSW) controlled with respect to the inorganic carbon system and containing standard...