New records of scleractinian corals from shallow waters of the Ionian coast of Italy

Fenner, Douglas; Riolo, Francesca; Vittorio, Michele

doi:10.1017/s1755267213001073

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Paracyathus pulchellus (Figure 1A) is a caryophylliid coral widespread in the Western and Eastern basins of the Mediterranean Sea (Fenner et al, 2013). Moreover, this species is found in the Eastern Atlantic between Portugal, the Azores, the Gulf of Guinea (Zibrowius, 1980), and in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina to Brazil (Cairns, 1979;Cairns, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, this species is found in the Eastern Atlantic between Portugal, the Azores, the Gulf of Guinea (Zibrowius, 1980), and in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina to Brazil (Cairns, 1979;Cairns, 2000). P. pulchellus colonizes hard substrates such as vertical walls, caves, and wrecks (Zibrowius, 1980;Fenner et al, 2013). Its reported depth range varies from 17 to 1260 m (Casado-Amezua et al, 2015; World Register of Marine Species 1 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus

Marchini

Fossati²,

Cerpelloni³

et al. 2022

Front. Mar. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Basic information on the reproductive biology of many scleractinian corals species is limited or entirely lacking, particularly from temperate zones, though it is essential for a better understanding of their ecology. This study describes the morphological aspects and the annual cycle of gametogenesis and biometric parameterss of the papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus collected at Palinuro (Italy, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), filling a knowledge gap about the reproductive biology of a widespread Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic coral. Samples of P. pulchellus were collected by SCUBA diving between 5- and 10-meters depth during 18 monthly collections from June 2010 to December 2011. Sexually active polyps displayed either oocytes or spermaries, indicating that P. pulchellus was gonochoric. The sex ratio of sexually active polyps was 1:1. Gametogenesis began with undifferentiated germ cells arose in the gastrodermis that migrated towards the mesoglea of the mesentery where they completed the development. During spermatogenesis, spermary diameter increased from 25 to 83 µm. Oocyte diameter ranged from 9 to 146 µm and during oogenesis the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio decreased due to the accumulation of yolk. The nucleus migrated to the periphery of the oocyte adhering closely to the cell membrane. No embryo was observed in the coelenteric cavity of the polyps, suggesting an external development of planktotrophic larvae due to the small-sized mature oocytes and a possible broadcast spawning reproductive mode. Gonadal index of both females and males increased significantly from August until November and fertilization took place from November to January. Only sexually inactive individuals were observed from February to April, suggesting a quiescence period in both males and females. Seasonal variations in water temperature and photoperiod may have a key role in regulating gametogenesis. The analysis of the main biometric parameters (polyp width, height, dry skeletal mass, volume, surface/volume ratio and bulk skeletal density) showed a negative correlation between size and skeletal density, and no sexual dimorphism.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%