摘要：SummaryCoral reefs are formed by living polyps, and understanding the dynamic processes behind the reefs is crucial for marine ecosystem restoration. However, these processes are still unclear because the growth and budding patterns of living polyps are poorly known. Here, we investigate the growth pattern of a widely distributed reef-building coralPocillopora damicornisfrom Xisha Islands using high-resolution computed tomography. We examine the corallites in a single corallum of the species in detail, to interpret the budding, growth, and distribution pattern of the polyps, to reconstruct the growth pattern of this important reef-building species. Our results reveal a three-stage growth pattern ofP. damicornis, based on different growth bundles that are secreted by polyps along the dichotomous growth axes of the corallites. Our work on the three-dimensional reconstruction of calice and inter-septal space structure ofP. damicornissheds lights on its reef-building processes by reconstructing the budding patterns.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•We use high-resolution computed tomography to investigate coral forming and polyp budding processes•The calice reconstruction shows coral growth patterns and budding information•Our work visualizes the growth pattern ofPocillopora damicornis•High-resolution computed tomography is a method for future reef-building coral studiesMarine Organism; Biological Sciences; Methodology in Biological Sciences
