COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY AND IMAGE-ANALYSIS - A TOOL FOR EXAMINING THESKELETAL CHARACTERISTICS OF REEF-BUILDING ORGANISMS

Samples of the ''bladed'' morphotypes of the hydrocoral Millepora dich otoma were examined with a two-stage computerized technique. The sampl es were analyzed by computerized tomography, and the resulting photogr aphs were processed by computerized image analysis. The results disclo sed skeletal growth modifications that occurred during the life histor y of the specimens. Within the present skeletal form we were able to r eveal a former, delicate branching phase hidden in the extant skeleton . A high proportion of the bladed morphotypes was found to be infested by the coral-inhabiting barnacle Savignium milleporum. The barnacles were embedded in the host skeleton, enhancing skeletal deformation.