11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Poster Mini-Symposium 11: From Molecules to Moonbeams: How is reproductive timing regulated in coral reef organisms?
11.407
REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF SEA FANS Gorgonia Ventalina (CNIDARIA:
GORGONIIDAE) IN THE SANTA MARTA AREA, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN
Nelson MANRIQUE RODRÍGUEZ* 1 , Adolfo SANJUAN 2 , María Antonieta
SALCEDO 2 , Katrin Gisseth PERILLA 2 , Carlos Edwin GÓMEZ SOTO 2
1 Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, 2 Biología
Marina, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Santa Marta, Colombia
As a contribution to the biological knowledge of the sea fan Gorgonia ventalina and as
informative argument in order to support management and conservation strategies design
for this threatened species, an investigation was done on its reproduction in two coral
reefs in Santa Marta, southern Colombian Caribbean. A total of 126 histological slides of
the polyps were analyzed during seven months. Reproductive structures were recognized
establishing that the reproduction is gonochoric, synchronic development of ovocites and
sperm sacks in different colonies, and three developmental stages for each sex. It is
speculated that spawning starts at the beginning of the rainy season during August and
September. However, the reproduction of these populations may be limited by local
environmental and biological changes. It is recommended to rigorously design and to
execute precise strategies of handling and conservation to protect Gorgonia ventalina of
the area of Santa Marta, which is gradually recovering. It is important to include the
human communities that use this resource in order to generate alternatives of sustainable
performing culture experiments and in this way preserving the natural populations, as
with other gorgonians that are used commercially for souvenirs. Additionally, the banned
human activity season is priority during the reproductive peaks and no-take areas where
populations of G. ventalina must be monitored. This is the case of Punta Betín, where
populations stay stable and there is a continuous recruitment in spite of the anthropogenic
impact generated by the maritime and carboniferous ports. Finally a tourism plan is a
high priority organizing all the operators and making them understand the importance of
conserving this resource and, in addition, be spokesmen of this information.
11.408
A Preliminary Study On Early Life Ecology Of Blue Coral, Heliopora Coerulea
(Alcynonaria: Coenothecalia) Assessed By Microsatellite Variation
Nina YASUDA* 1 , Kazuo NADAOKA 2 , Tsutomu TAKINO 2 , Mugumi KIMURA 3 ,
Satoshi NAGAI 4 , Chunlan LIAN 3
1 Mechanical and Environmental Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo,
Japan, 2 Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Japan, 3 Asian Natural Environmental
Science Center, University of Tokyo, Nishitokyo, Japan, 4 National Research Institute of
Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Hatsukaichi, Japan
Blue coral Heliopora coerulea is one of reef-building corals, and the sole extant member
of the alcyonarian order Coenothecalia. This species is well known as a living fossil and
once widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the distribution of
large populations of H. coerulea is now quite limited probably due to historical climate
changes. Therefore, the conservation and management of the ecosystem surrounding the
coral are of great concern. To conduct the effective management of this species,
understanding of the early life ecology such as the reproduction strategy and the larval
dispersal is crucial. H. coerulea is known as a brooder whose fertilization and larval
development take place in female polyps. However the important factors such as the
brooding strategy and also the genetic connectivity within and among reefs are still
unknown. To clarify the strategy, at first we conducted field observations at the surfaces
of 23 female colonies. The brooding process was found to be divided into 5 stages: 1)
stretching tentacles without larvae, 2) brooding larvae with tentacles, 3) only larvae left
on the surface, 4) releasing larvae and 5) all larvae released. Then we determined the
genotypes of a brooding female colony and its 33 larvae as well as 11 neighboring male
colonies to test whether the fertilization takes place among neighboring colonies or not.
Initiation of larval release was coincident with neap tide on July 23 in 2007. It took at
least 4 days before eonly larvae f stage coral began to release the larvae. Among the
33 larvae genotyped, we found 14 different alleles from those of the analyzed adults on
one locus. Thus at least 7 adult males situating outside the sampling site are associated
with fertilization
11.409
The Desirable Invertebrates Breeding Society (Dibs): Reproduction Of Invertebrates For
Education And Sustainability
Eric BORNEMAN* 1 , Brian PLANKIS 2,3
1 Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2 The DIBS Foundation,
Manvel, TX, 3 The DIBS Foundation, Manvel
The DIBS Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educational research, research
on marine invertebrate reproduction, and educational outreach to marine aquarium hobbyists
through the online community Project DIBS. The Foundation conducts formal educational
research and informal educational outreach centered on ocean literacy and declining coral reefs.
These efforts are specifically geared towards providing concrete ways that concerned students
and citizens can make relevant connections to the ocean and take action to reduce stressors on
marine environments. Past projects include high school experiments designed to test the
feasibility of conducting rigorous scientific experiments, emphasizing ocean literacy, within
existing NSES standards and examining the potential for technology to connect classrooms to
each other, research scientists, and field observers.
The Foundation is concerned with the reliance of the marine aquarium hobby on wild
collection, fragmentation techniques and the growing threat of invasive species. With over 500
members in 9 countries, Project DIBS is coordinating research efforts and providing online
classes that educate hobbyists on the necessary steps needed to provide ornamental
invertebrates to the marine ornamental trade. The efforts are geared towards understanding
reproductive behaviors and life history traits with the goal of maximizing the number of species
that can be reproduced ex situ to ultimately replace wild collection of inappropriate or
ecologically important species that suffer high mortality.
The five year plan is to establish an interdisciplinary research center focused on field research
on coral reef decline, invertebrate biology laboratory research, program evaluation of ocean
literacy educational interventions and integration of technology into the K-12 science
curriculum. The research center will provide internships for disadvantaged and female students
interested in pursuing science careers to conduct meaningful invertebrate biology research
studies and for individuals to volunteer and develop personal connections to the ocean, leading
to an engaged citizenry.
11.410
Long Term Reproductive Success Of Brazilian Giant Seahorses hippocampus Cf. Reidi
Tim MIGAWSKI* 1
1 Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Bremen, Germany
Seahorses are endangered in their wild habitats. For conservation plans it is important to know
reproduction patterns to supply information about population development. In captivity there is
no seasonal non-breeding time like in the wild. The provided environmental parameters are
stable throughout the year. Thus it is possible to reach a maximum birth rate which is an
important factor for the commercial use.
In this study the reproductive success of fifteen Hippocampus cf. reidi pairs was measured over
a period of eight months. Information on frequency, quantity and duration of pregnancy was
collected. In addition the number, size, vitality, growth rate and mortality of the juveniles were
measured. These data were linked with detailed info about the adults / pairs and compared with
in situ data from other studies and species.
In an aquaculture fifteen pairs marked with coloured neckbands. They were characterized by
different age, size and weight which were documented. Physical and chemical parameters were
identical for all specimens.
According the analysis there are individual differences in frequency, quantity and duration.
Pairs / individuals with a high condition factor produce more offspring than pairs with a lower
condition factor. For a high reproduction success it is important that the females are in good
condition otherwise, there is no males abide by the female and there is no reproduction. The
height of the male respectively the pouch size is the second important factor. The largest males
are nearly 20 cm and produce up to 1100 Juveniles. The number of underdeveloped young ones
increases proportionately with the total number. The length of the juveniles is not correlated
with the length of the adults. The collected ex situ data are correlated with in situ data of other
species, showing a consistency.
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