Microstructural and physico-chemical characterization of ‘centers of calcification’ in septa of some Recent scleractinian corals

In order to define the value of the concept of ‘center of calcification’, an attempt has been made to collect microstructural, physical, and chemical data from these particular structures. In each of the fifteen species studied, these data are compared with similar characteristics observed in the surrounding fibrous tissue. Results lead to a paradoxical conclusion. Although the existence of centers of calcification is sometimes denied, they have been evidenced by various techniques in septa of all the studied species, that belong to various families. Thus, ‘centers of calcification’ appear to be a basic component in the development of corallian septal architecture. But taking into account their microstructural and chemical peculiarities allows to introduce some changes in the current view concerning their role in skeletogenesis of Scleractinia.