Reproductive ecology of the azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea in the Equatorial Eastern Pacific: Part V. Dendrophylliidae

Abstract

The reproductive ecology of Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, an azooxanthellate tropical scleractinian coral, was studied over various periods from 1985 to 2006 at four principal eastern PaciWc locations in Costa Rica, Panamá, and the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador). This small (polyp diameter 0.8-1.0 cm), relatively cryptic species produced ova and planulae year round, including colonies with as few as 2-10 polyps. Of 424 colonies examined histologically, 13.7% contained both ova and sperm. Mature ova varied in diameter from »300 to 800 m and the time from spawning and fertilization of oocytes to release of brooded planulae was about 6 weeks. Planulae were 0.5-1.5 mm long and they settled and metamorphosed on a variety of substrates after 1-3 days. Spermaries, though more diYcult to distinguish in histological sections, were present throughout the year. Spent spermaries were never observed in sections, but several colonies in Panamá and the Galápagos Islands released sperm from night one to night Wve after full moon, indicating the potential for cross-fertilization among colonies. Planula release was observed at Uva Island (Panamá) in March, May, June, and July, and in general planula presence was higher at warm ocean temperatures at all sites, whether or not the sites were inXuenced by seasonal upwelling. Annual fecundity estimates for T. coccinea are comparable with other high fecundity brooding species, including the zooxanthellate Porites panamensis, with which it co-occurs in Panamá. Tubastraea coccinea is widely distributed in the tropical Indo-PaciWc and has colonized substrates in the western Atlantic. In addition to the reproductive characteristics described in the present study, other features of the biology of T. coccinea, such as an ability to withstand conditions that produce bleaching and mortality in zooxanthellate species, may account for its widespread, low-latitude distribution in multiple oceans.

Groups travel further: pelagic metamorphosis and polyp clustering allow higher dispersal potential in sun coral propagules

“…In fact, planulae usually settle and metamorphose within a relatively brief period of time, around 3 d (Glynn et al 2008), probably favoring self-recruitment and promoting the gregarious spatial pattern often reported for this species (e.g., Paula and Creed 2005;Glynn et al 2008). However, we observed that alternative developmental pathways are possible in T. coccinea.…”

Population expansion of a new invasive coral species, Tubastraea micranthus, in the northern Gulf of Mexico

“…It is a hermaphroditic brooder and reproduces by producing planulae year-round (Glynn et al 2008a). Egg development requires 6 to 8 wk.…”

Uneven abundance of the invasive sun coral over habitat patches of different orientation: An outcome of larval or later benthic processes?

“…The native range of the sun coral Tubastraea coccinea Lesson comprises the Pacific and Indian Ocean (Cairns, 2000), but this species has been introduced in shallow tropical habitats at many locations worldwide (Glynn et al, 2008), including the southeastern Brazilian coast (da Silva and Barros, 2011;Ferreira, 2003;Mantelatto et al, 2011;Paula and Creed, 2005). The rapid invasion of T. coccinea in this region is likely due to the expansion of the oil industry and associated shipping activity (Ferreira, 2003;Paula and Creed, 2005).…”

“…For instance, larvae of several azooxanthellate coral species, including T. coccinea, concentrate in downward facing (negative) and vertical surfaces, or crevices, where they can find release from competition with fast-growing coral species that use symbiont microalgae and light as an energy source (Bak and Engel, 1979;Birkeland, 1977;Fenner and Banks, 2004;Ferreira, 2003;Glynn et al, 2008;Lewis, 1974;Rogers et al, 1984;Vermeij, 2005). In the case of invading species, information on larval substrate selection is particularly important to establish environmental policies to help control their spread and understand potential effects on native communities.…”