11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

24.1047
In Situ Breeding Of Two Caribbean Coral Species : Acropora Palmata And A.
Cervicornis
Claude BOUCHON* 1 , Marie CAFFIOT 1 , Yolande BOUCHON-NAVARO 1
1 Laboratoire de biologie marine, Université Antilles-Guyane, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
In the Caribbean area, the coral ecosystem undergo degradations of natural or anthropic
origins threatening the most fragile coral species such as Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck,
1816) and A. palmata (Lamarck, 1816) that are key species of the coral communities of
lagoons and fore reef zones. In order to explore the possibility of breeding these species,
with the hope to repopulate reefs devastated areas, an experiment was conducted in the
Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin of Guadeloupe, testing two techniques of in situ breeding.
Hundred twenty fragments of branches of A. cervicornis and A. palmata were sampled.
Sixty were hung in open water and 60 others fixed on the bottom. The follow-up of the
survival and of the ponderal growth of these samples was carried out over a period of 102
days.
The rate of survival was high for the two species: 100% for Acropora cervicornis and
95% for A. palmata. The fragments of A. cervicornis presented an average weight
increase of 219 % and those of Acropora palmata of 65 % over the studied period. The
growth of A. cervicornis followed an exponential model whereas a linear model was
better adapted to that of A. palmata. The two species did not present the same
preferendum towards the tested breeding conditions. Acropora cervicornis had a better
growth when suspended in open water than fixed on the sea bottom. The opposite result
was obtained for A. palmata.
The obtained results, which combine a high rate of survival and a fast growth under the
experimental conditions tested, are encouraging for the breeding of these two species in
the natural environment with the aim of helping to repopulate devastated reef zones.
24.1048
Genetic Diversity Of acropora Intermedia in The Aquarium
Naoko ISOMURA* 1,2 , Hiromi Hannah YAMAMOTO 3
1 Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara,
Japan, 2 Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus,
Okinawa, Japan, 3 Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa, Japan
In Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the dominant coral species in the tanks is Acropora
intermedia, with approximately 3000 colonies and observed spawning every year since
1998. In 1995 and 1997, before "the 1998 bleaching event", 72 coral branches of A.
intermedia were collected locally. Since all A. intermedia in the aquarium have
developed by growth and fragmentation for last decade from these branches, genetic
diversity is suggested to be very low.
Microsatellite markers for A. intermedia have already been developed. In this study, (1)
calculation of the genetic diversity of A. intermedia population in the aquarium, and (2) a
search for the relationship between genotype and mating success, were conducted with
the previously developed microsatellite markers.
In 2006 and 2007, cross experiments with wild A. intermedia individuals (WI) and
aquarium individuals (AQ) were conducted in order to measure the rates of fertilization
and survivorship of planulae. After DNA extraction from tissues of parent individuals
used for the cross experiments and planulae, fragment analysis was conducted. In these
cross experiments, fertilization and development all WI-AQ pairs were successful, while
some AQ-AQ pairs did not succeed. As a result of fragment analysis, there were no
identical genotypes between WI and AQ, and all non-successful genotype AQ pairs
(except one pair) were shown to be the same genotype. However, no correlation between
genetic similarity and rate of fertilization was shown. Furthermore allelic diversity and
observed heterozygosity of AQ were lower than those of WI.
According to previous research, A. intermedia form normal gametes. Therefore, our
results indicate that mating succession is affected by genotypes of A. intermedia. It is
necessary to understand the genetic diversity of source populations in order to restore
coral populations after localized disturbances. We suggest A. intermedia in the aquarium
may be potential source for replenishment.
Poster Mini-Symposium 24: Reef Restoration
24.1049
Two Deck Nursery in Nutrient Enrich Vs. Nutrient Poor Area
daniel YASHUNSKY* 1
1 Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel
Evaluating the constant deterioration of Eilat’s (Red Sea) coral reefs in the last four decades has
resulted in controversies on both the causes and remediation acts. With regard to reef
rehabilitation, the traditional approach supports the idea of eliminating major disturbances only,
thus leading to natural restoration of the reef. The second approach advocates more active
measures such as farming coral colonies in nurseries and then transplanting them onto denuded
reef areas. This study aims to supporting this second approach for active reef restoration by
providing tools for maintenance of coral colonies in underwater nurseries.
The major issues tested involve using nurseries in which corals are farmed under various
nutrition regimens and depths to various transplantation needs. The two sites which were
selected represented: (1) nutrient enriched (NE) site; and (2) a regular depleted nutrient reef
area (DN) of Eilat. Nubbins and fragments of three corals species, Pocillopora damicornis,
Acropora sp. and Stylophora pistillata were placed in each location at two different depths (2
and 8 meters) and monitored for one year. Growth rates, photosynthesis capabilities,
reproductive activities and colonization of reef dwelling invertebrates were observed and
collected. Results showed high survival rate of more than 80% of corals fragments at the NE
site compared to less then 50% survival rate at the DN site. Similar results were obtained for
nubbins survivorship. Recently collected results will be presented on the poster.
24.1050
Establishment Of Midwater Coral Nurseries in Discovery Bay, Jamaica
Rachel D'SILVA* 1 , Judith MENDES 1 , Dale WEBBER 2 , Baruch RINKEVITCH 3
1 Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, 2 Centre for
Marine Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, 3 Israel Oceanographic and
Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
Coral nurseries are a tool in active reef restoration that provide source material for the
rehabilitation of denuded reefs. The floating mid-water coral nursery was first developed in
Israel. This study describes the adaptation of the mid-water floating nursery concept to
Caribbean conditions and Caribbean coral species. The three mid-water floating nurseries that
we have constructed in Discovery Bay, on the north coast of Jamaica, are the first coral
nurseries of this kind in the Caribbean. Each nursery is self-floating, made from 3 inch PVC
pressure pipe, and can be lowered to allow for the passage of hurricane generated waves. Two
nurseries (Annabell and Tinkerbell) are located on the forereef at a depth of 10m and between
14-15m off the seafloor. The third nursery is at a depth of 3m and 12m above the seafloor in the
backreef. We have tested the suitability of 10 Caribbean coral species and one colonial hydroid
for culturing under nursery conditions (Porites porites, P. divaricata, P. astreoides, Madracis
mirabilis, Montastraea annularis, M. cavernosa, Eusmilia fastigiata, Agaricia agaricites,
Acropora cervicornis , A. palmata, and the hydroid Millepora complanata). Differences in
growth rate have been observed between species as well as between fore and backreef nursery
locations. On the fore reef, P. porites polyp number increased 383.1% and M. mirabilis 121.3%
over an 87 day period, while in the backreef, P.porites and M. mirabilis (taken from the same
parent colonies as those on the forereef) showed an increase in polyp numbers of 243% and
49.3% respectively. Remarkably two species, P. divaricata and M. cavernosa, had a faster rate
of growth on the nurseries than was found in their parent colonies.
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