224
0. M. YONQE
the windward, side of the reef flat. While conditions on the lee of an
atoll, which cannot provide the same degree of shelter, are much more
stable, this evidence of erosion does indicate the greater effect of s t o m
on this usually more protected side of the reef.
There is general confirmation of these over-all findings in a variety
of other surveys, e.g. in the Caroline Islands, by Tracey et al. (1961)
working on Ifaluk Atoll, in the Tuamotu Archipelago of the South
Pacific, following theimportant survey by Newell (1956) and co-workers*
and, although here modified to a greater extent, in Caribbean reef
formations off British Honduras (Stoddart, 1962a).
Detailed studies of particular areas, let alone work on the autecology
of important species of corals-such as the study of Uonbtreu myera at
Palao carried out by Motoda (1940b)-have hardly yet been attempted.
Again, reference should be made to the relevant chapters in Wiem
(1962) and in particular to the survey of Raroia (Newell, 1956) whioh
involved descriptions of molluscan and other invertebrate popdationa
(Morrison, 1954) with an account of the interrelationships of these
organisms by Doty and Morrison (1954) and the plotting of the environmental niches of coral reef fishes by Harry (1953). However, it is
impossible, at any rate on the basis of these Pacific studies which alone
he quotes, to agree with Gerlach (1961) that “ only recently has there
been concern with detailed studies of the living habits of coral polyps,
of their nutrition, and of their dependence on different environmental
conditions ”. It is precisely such work, at present only being conducted
by Goreau at Jamaica (see below), which now needs to be re.sud if
we are to analyse the factors influencing the distribution of corals in the
varied environments presented by a reef, and especially on an atoll.
But we may accept the general conclusion of Gerlach that a reef does
correspond, aa Stephenson (1958) had already indicated, to the sublittoral Laminarian forests of colder seas-which does literally occur at
the northern end of the Gulf of California (Squires, 1959). Above it,
both a, mid-littoral balanoid zone and a higher littorine zone may on
occasions be identified.
VI. ATLANTIC REEFS
It hcts been generally accepted that Atlantic reefs are very much
poorer than those of the Indo-Pacific with 8 more limited fauns of
corals and associated animals and with a slower growth rate. In the
light of recent information, these assumptions require wme qualification. There is first the question of the coral fauna generally described
by Smith (1948). According to Wells (1957) this includes “cmly 26
*Who report the presence of surge channels on the leeward side alao at Raroia.
0. M. YONQE
the windward, side of the reef flat. While conditions on the lee of an
atoll, which cannot provide the same degree of shelter, are much more
stable, this evidence of erosion does indicate the greater effect of s t o m
on this usually more protected side of the reef.
There is general confirmation of these over-all findings in a variety
of other surveys, e.g. in the Caroline Islands, by Tracey et al. (1961)
working on Ifaluk Atoll, in the Tuamotu Archipelago of the South
Pacific, following theimportant survey by Newell (1956) and co-workers*
and, although here modified to a greater extent, in Caribbean reef
formations off British Honduras (Stoddart, 1962a).
Detailed studies of particular areas, let alone work on the autecology
of important species of corals-such as the study of Uonbtreu myera at
Palao carried out by Motoda (1940b)-have hardly yet been attempted.
Again, reference should be made to the relevant chapters in Wiem
(1962) and in particular to the survey of Raroia (Newell, 1956) whioh
involved descriptions of molluscan and other invertebrate popdationa
(Morrison, 1954) with an account of the interrelationships of these
organisms by Doty and Morrison (1954) and the plotting of the environmental niches of coral reef fishes by Harry (1953). However, it is
impossible, at any rate on the basis of these Pacific studies which alone
he quotes, to agree with Gerlach (1961) that “ only recently has there
been concern with detailed studies of the living habits of coral polyps,
of their nutrition, and of their dependence on different environmental
conditions ”. It is precisely such work, at present only being conducted
by Goreau at Jamaica (see below), which now needs to be re.sud if
we are to analyse the factors influencing the distribution of corals in the
varied environments presented by a reef, and especially on an atoll.
But we may accept the general conclusion of Gerlach that a reef does
correspond, aa Stephenson (1958) had already indicated, to the sublittoral Laminarian forests of colder seas-which does literally occur at
the northern end of the Gulf of California (Squires, 1959). Above it,
both a, mid-littoral balanoid zone and a higher littorine zone may on
occasions be identified.
VI. ATLANTIC REEFS
It hcts been generally accepted that Atlantic reefs are very much
poorer than those of the Indo-Pacific with 8 more limited fauns of
corals and associated animals and with a slower growth rate. In the
light of recent information, these assumptions require wme qualification. There is first the question of the coral fauna generally described
by Smith (1948). According to Wells (1957) this includes “cmly 26
*Who report the presence of surge channels on the leeward side alao at Raroia.