11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Oral Mini-Symposium 11: From Molecules to Moonbeams: How is Reproductive Timing Regulated in Coral Reef Organisms?
11-13
Biannual Multi-Specific Coral Spawning On North-West Australian Reefs
Natalie ROSSER* 1 , James GILMOUR 2 , Andrew BAIRD 3
1 RPS, Perth, Australia, 2 Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Australia, 3 ARC
Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Australia
Observations of multi-specific synchronous coral spawning periods in Australia have lead
to the recent realisation that on the west coast of Australia there is a primary multispecific
spawning in the austral autumn (March/April), and on some northern reefs, a
secondary multi-specific spawning in spring (October). Here we present data of species
participating in the secondary spring spawning from three locations in north Western
Australia: the Bonaparte Archipelago (Kimberley), Scott Reef and the Dampier
Archipelago, indicating that the spring spawning occurs across a wide latitudinal range.
In all three locations all species that spawned in spring also spawned in autumn. However
some species that spawned in spring in one location did not necessarily spawn in spring
in another, e.g. A. hyacinthus spawned in spring at Scott Reef, but not at Dampier. Other
species spawned in spring at all three locations e.g. A. humilis and yet others never
spawned in spring at any location e.g. A. millepora. These results suggest that there is a
physiological element driving a species ability to be able to spawn during both spring and
autumn, as some species consistently spawned in both seasons while others consistently
did not. Furthermore, that some species spawned in both seasons in one location but not
in another, would also suggest that it may be a combination of both physiology and
environmental conditions that allows a species to spawn in both seasons, and that these
environmental parameters are highly localised.
11-14
Sexual Reproduction Of Hermatypic Corals Along The Mexican Pacific Coast
Eugenio CARPIZO-ITUARTE* 1 , Hector REYES-BONILLA 2 , Amilcar CUPUL
MAGAÑA 3 , Andrés LÓPEZ-PÉREZ 4 , Pedro MEDINA-ROSAS 3 , Hector Efraïn
CHÁVEZ-ROMO 1 , Paola RODRÍGUEZ-TRONCOSO 1 , Verónica VIZCAINO-
OCHOA 1 , Miriam MORA-PÉREZ 2 , Gerardo LEYTE-MORALES 4 , Luis E.
CALDERÓN-AGUILERA 5 , Guillermina CHI-BARRAGÁN 1 , Olivia TAPIA-
VÁZQUEZ 6
1 Oc. Biológica, Isnt. Inv. Ocean. UABC, Ensenada, B.C., Mexico, 2 Biología Marina,
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico, 3 Ciencias Médicas y
Biológicas, Universitario de la Costa, Univ. De Guadalajara, Pto. Vallarta, Mexico,
4 Instituto de Recursos, Universidad del Mar, Pto Angel, Mexico, 5 Ecología, Centro de
Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Mexico, 6 Comité
Estatal de Sanidad Acuícola e Inocuidad de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
In contrast to the equatorial eastern Pacific (EEP), where the sexual reproductive
activities of several zooxanthellate coral species have been described, only recently have
similar studies been initiated in the Mexican Pacific (MP) region. During the last eight
years, the reproductive patterns of three of the most common MP species have been
investigated: Pocillopora damicornis, Porites panamensis and Pavona gigantea. The
study areas range from La Paz, Baja California Sur (24o 19’ 02” N; 110o 19’ 57” O) to
Bahia de Banderas, Jalisco-Nayarit (20o 42’ 03” N; 105o 33’ 52” O), and along the
Huatulco coast, Oaxaca (15o 44’ 40” N; 96o 07’ 35” O). Initial surveys have shown the
three species produce mature gametes, and that seasonality, frequency and extent of the
reproductive period are highly influenced by local oceanographic conditions (upwelling
centers, thermocline shoaling, marked seasonal temperature variation). Compared to
extended reproductive activity in Panama, Costa Rica and Ecuador in the EEP, the same
species in the MP exhibit a higher degree of seasonality. Continuing studies of the three
species in different areas, and other less abundant species, will allow a more critical
comparison of the reproductive activities of corals along the entire latitudinal range of the
eastern Pacific. Regional comparisons of asexual reproduction and recruitment are also
planned to better understand the relative importance of these life history traits in relation
to MP coral community dynamics. We are hopeful these studies will provide information
that can be used to promote better management and conservation strategies for the
preservation of coral communities and reefs along the MP coast.
11-15
Reproduction of Reef Corals from the Southwestern Atlantic (Brazil)
Débora PIRES* 1 , Clovis CASTRO 1
1 Departamento de Invertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil has the only true coral reefs known in the South Atlantic, with most builder corals
endemic. Based on histological data, we investigated sexual patterns, mode and seasonal
patterns of reproduction, and spawning periods of 10 scleractinians (five endemic: Mussismilia
braziliensis, M. harttii, M. hispida, Favia gravida, and Siderastrea stellata; and five also
occurring in the Caribbean: Scolymia wellsi, Porites astreoides, Madracis decactis, Agaricia
humilis, and Montastraea cavernosa). Our results indicated that half of the species are brooders
and half are spawners. Two species are gonochoric. In Brazil, the release of gametes/planula
occurs in different times of the year. A few simultaneous spawning days of M. hispida and M.
harttii were observed in Porto Seguro (16ºS). Histological data from Abrolhos specimens (18ºS)
suggested that M. hispida can present simultaneous spawning with M. braziliensis in this area.
More studies are necessary to understand the variation in time of spawning of M. hispida in
different areas. Mussismilia spp. are hermaphroditic and present at least two consecutive
monthly periods of spawning a year, dictated by the new moon. Most of the brooder corals
present several annual periods of planula release. Favia gravida and Agaricia humilis release
planula monthly, while Scolymia wellsi and Porites astreoides release only in some consecutive
months of the year. Siderastrea stellata has a period of planula release restricted to the summer,
and in Madracis decactis it happens in the beginning of the autumn. Mussismilia harttii presents
synchronic spawning in different places (08ºS, 16ºS, 18ºS). There is assynchrony in the
spawning period of S. stellata and M. hispida, when populations of Búzios (23ºS) and other
places are compared. Upwelling events, that happen in Búzios during the summer, may be
influencing the gametogenesis of these species.
11-16
Planulation Near Dawn Results in Increased Survivability Of favia Fragum
Gretchen GOODBODY-GRINGLEY* 1,2
1 Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2 Bermuda
Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George's, Bermuda
Numerous studies have addressed annual timing of planulation in scleractinians, documenting a
tightly synchronized process that coincides with lunar periodicity. In contrast, diel variation has
received little attention yet may have important implications for post-metamorphic success. In
summer 2007, I examined hourly release of planulae by Favia fragum in Bermuda. Planulation
occurred throughout the night with a significant peak between 4 and 5 am. Release near dawn
may be advantageous for F. fragum as a means of maximizing time for utilization of light cues
in larval behavior and increasing availability of symbiont-derived photosynthetic products.
Such benefits to pre-dawn release may be manifested in life history traits such as competency,
settlement, mortality and growth. To compare competency and metamorphic success of larvae
released at night versus pre-dawn, planulae were collected over two-hour intervals, from 10 pm
to 12 am (night) and 4 to 6 am (pre-dawn), in July and August 2007. Percent larvae competent
for settlement was significantly higher for those released pre-dawn than those released at night.
Despite the 6-hour difference in release time, settlement in both groups coincided with daylight
hours, suggesting that environmental factors govern this process. Additionally, percent
metamorphic success was significantly higher for larvae released pre-dawn. Following
settlement, terra-cotta tiles with new spat were placed on an inshore patch reef and monitored
for growth and mortality over the succeeding 40 days. Growth rates for pre-dawn planulae
were initially significantly higher than night released planulae, however this difference did not
persist over time. Benefits accrued to larvae released near dawn, compared to those released 6
hours earlier, may be explained by a combination of increased energy reserves provided through
immediate exposure of photoautotrophic symbionts to light, coupled with decreased total
respiration from time of planulation to settlement.
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