Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of culturing coral tissues and polyps in vitro. Coral tissues obtained by the method of the invention may be maintained as heterotypic spheroid tissue balls for a period of at least three months or they may be induced to undergo development into new polyps, a process termed re-morphogenesis. This method can produce genetic clones of model species from single individuals that can be propagated either as undifferentiated tissue calli or as developed polyps. The products of the invention are of value to a number of educational, scientific, and commercial endeavors. Specifically, this method can be used to propagate genetic clones (strains) of a model organism for scientific research, to serve as ‘pro-environmental conservation’ sources of coral stock for educational specimens as well as a rapidly generated inventory for commercial aquarium industry.

Abstract: An apparatus for propagating benthic marine invertebrates in water. The apparatus comprises (a) a culture cell, (b) a sedimentation chamber in fluid connection with the culture cell, and (c) a pump in fluid connection with the culture cell and with the sedimentation chamber capable of pumping water from the sedimentation chamber to the culture cell. Also disclosed is a method for propagating benthic marine invertebrates comprising culturing the invertebrates in a water environment in the apparatus.