"Both Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata have suffered dramatic declines throughout the entire Caribbean over the last few decades (Bruckner, 2002) which led to the inclusion of these species as 'Threatened' under the Endangered Species Act in 2005. As a result of this decline, adult population s typically have low densities and genetic diversity, resulting in a reduction in genetic connectivity for this genus. The life history traits of this genus (fast growth rates and highly successful asexual propagation through fragmentation) have shown these species to be good candidates for coral nursery programs in the Caribbean (Highsmith, 1982; Lirman, 2010). As these populations continue to decline, proactive intervention is becoming increasingly warranted (Edwards and Clark, 1998)"--Introduction.

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