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Abstract
Acropora cervicornis fragments were transplanted seasonally (every 3 months) near Key Largo, Florida (patch reef-Admiral Reef and fore reef-Little Grecian Reef) and Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas (patch reef) in order to determine the relationship between the size of the fragment, seasonal growth rate, and survival for the possibility of restoration of this species through transplantation. Mass per unit length per day (g/mm/d), the total mass accretion per length extension (g/mm), and the linear extension per day and buoyant weight per day was calculated for each fragment. The number of branches generated from each fragment was recorded. These parameters will be compared between the two sites in Florida and between the Bahamas site and Florida sites. The recovery rates of scientifically produced scars or lesions were investigated in the Caribbean reef coral Montastrea faveolata. Artificial lesions on Montastrea faveolata filled with epoxy took approximately twice the recovery time as those allowed to recovery without the use of filler compounds; however differences in growth rates were only seen in the first three months.