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Tentacular autotomy and polyp regeneration in the scleractinian coral Euphyllia glabrescens Scleractinians reproduce asexually via a variety of mechanisms, including fragmentation, budding, planulae production, polyp expulsion and bailout (Piraino et al. 2004). More recently, autotomy has been documented as another means of asexual reproduction (Hoeksema and Waheed 2012); this mechanism involves skeletal dissolution and is limited to solitary fungiids. Here, we report an observation of tentacular autotomy and polyp regeneration in the coral Euphyllia glabrescens (Chamisso and Eysenhardt, 1821). In February 2015, a colony of E. glabrescens (10 cm length) purchased from a commercial aquarium underwent tentacular autotomy immediately after relocation to an aquarium tank. The autotomized tentacle was non-motile and its knob-like tip subsequently attached to a piece of live rock (Fig. 1a). Three days later, a primary polyp (~2 mm diameter) without tentacles formed. After 1 month, distinct tentacles measuring~1 mm length developed around the polyp's mouth (Fig. 1b). By July 2015, septa were clearly visible on the coral which had grown to a size of 6 mm diameter (Fig. 1c, d). A separate but similar incident was also observed from the same colony in May 2015. Tentacular autotomy and polyp regeneration have been reported in actinians and alcyonareans and can occur as a response to predation (Piraino et al. 2004), but is as yet undocumented in scleractinians. As autotomy occurred after the parent E. glabrescens colony was mechanically agitated, we inferred that the behavior was a stress-induced response. This strategy may be used by some colonial scleractinians as a means of asexual reproduction and could potentially be developed as a propagation technique for reef restoration. Future investigations should focus on examining the likelihood of this phenomenon in natural populations.

Coral restoration has largely focused on improving techniques and biological yield to hasten reef recovery. However, as socioeconomic considerations can affect restoration success, it is important to also consider inputs from various stakeholders in the design and execution of restoration projects. Through online questionnaires, the knowledge levels and attitudes of 142 participants toward coral ecology and restoration in Singapore, and their preferences toward species traits they felt were most beneficial for restoring reefs, were analyzed. Comprising varied sociodemographic profiles and stakeholder groups, participants fared better in general coral biology (up to 90% of answers correct) than local coastal resource management (35% of answers correct). More than 79% of participants agreed that Singapore's reefs were rapidly degrading and required restoration to slow the decline; however, over 63% of them disagreed that restoration was the sole domain of scientists or that the topic had been sufficiently communicated to the public. These knowledge scores and attitudes were most influenced by stakeholder group, educational level, and familiarity with local reefs, underscoring the need to improve environmental education and science communication to these groups. In the trait prioritization exercise involving 76 respondents, resilience and resistance to stress were regarded as most important for restoring reefs. Marine science professionals and nondivers preferred using species that could cope with stress, while nature enthusiasts and recreational divers considered habitat contribution by various coral growth forms as more important. The adaptable framework here facilitates integration of stakeholder inputs with the necessary strategies to boost restoration outcomes.

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