Holding time or fixative formulation has no obvious effect on histology of Porites evermanni and Montipora capitata

Collection of coral for histologic examination requires holding of samples in seawater for a time before they are fixed for histologic processing. This could adversely affect the interpretation of morphologic changes during histologic examinations. We evaluated the microscopic morphology of Porites evermanni and Montipora capitata held (0–120 minutes) in seawater prior to fixation in Z-Fix formulated with raw or artificial seawater. We saw no evident effects of treatments on microscopic morphology. However, among 88 statistical comparisons, and after accounting for false discovery rate, holding time prior to fixation was associated with a significant increase in degree of mucosity of basal body walls.