Abstract
The xenogeneic- and allogeneic immunological specificity of the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma has been investigated. Xenogeneic histoicompatibility reactions have been observed between this hydrocoral and a series of species belonging to the Demospongiae and to the Anthozoa (both Hexacorallia and Octocorallia). The xenogeneic histoincompatibility reactions proceed in the following sequence: (a) Species-unspecific sensitization; (b) necrosis formation, which is very likely due to an autolytic process; (c) callus formation, due to an hyperplastic growth of stolons; and (d) formation of a contact barrier in form of a barrier layer or a restored stolonial layer. Allogeneic histoincompatibility reactions are restricted to those regions of the coral which are interspersed with polyps; allogenic fusion is observed between branches, with a high density of polyps and the “foot”-region, which is characterized by a low polyp density.
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Müller, W.E.G., Maidhof, A., Zahn, R.K. et al. Histoincompatibility reactions in the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma . Coral Reefs 1, 237–241 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304421
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304421