Rarotonga is possibly the loveliest island you are likely to come across. Five days were spent surveying reefs around "Raro," and 12 sites were visited (see map.) amidst trips to Trader Jack's. Please see the field report for a description of the reefs. Environmental and molecular physiological data for the sampled corals can be found in Mayfield et al. (2015, Platax) and Mayfield et al. (2016). Additional maps and drop-cam video footage can be found here. Below I have posted the habitat shots and images of the sampled colonies. For the sampled colonies, I have provided links to mitochondrial open reading frame (mORF) sequences on NCBI, as well as hyperlinks to data files (JMP &/or Excel format). Please email me if you are interested in the RNAs, DNAs, proteins, or tissues. Unfortunately, no histology samples exist from the Cook Islands, as the samples were homogenized (i.e., no microscopy can be done).
Above water (it's nice to be in port......)
CIRR01-first dive in the Cook Islands (Apr. 22, 2013). Revisited again on April 23rd.
CIRR01: five colonies sampled
CIRR02 (April 23, 2013)-no habitat shots. Two colonies sampled.
CIRR03 (April 23, 2013)-no habitat shots. Four colonies sampled.
CIRR04 (April 24, 2013)
CIRR04 sampled colonies (n=3)
CIRR05
(April 24, 2013)
CIRR05 colonies (n=3 colonies)
CIRR06 (April 24, 2013)
CIRR06 sampled colonies (n=3)
CIRR07 (Apr. 26, 2013)-no habitat shots. Three colonies sampled.
CIRR08 (Apr. 26, 2013)
CIRR08 sampled colonies (n=4)
CIRR09 (Apr. 26, 2013)
CIRR09-one sampled colony
CIRR10 (Apr. 27, 2013)-no habitat shots. Two sampled colonies.
CIRR11 (Apr. 27, 2013)
CIRR12 (April 27, 2013)
CIRR12 sampled colony
colony 95-nucleic acids were not extracted from this sample. Other colony data can be found here.