Reproductive ecology of three reef-forming, deep-sea corals in the New Zealand region

Burgess, Samantha N.; Babcock, Russell C.

doi:10.1007/3-540-27673-4_36

Cited by 31 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…A similar conclusion was reached in the study of Xenia macrospiculata (Xeniidae) from the Red Sea (Achituv et al 1992). The coexistence of all stages of oocytes was also noted in 3 deep-sea scleractinian corals from New Zealand, prompting Burgess & Babcock (2005) to propose that oocytes were produced at the start of the reproductive season and developed continuously on the basis of the availability of food. In Drifa sp., the important intra-brood and intra-colony differences observed in the size of planulae are consistent with a prolonged rearing period during which the small planulae grow into large elongated planulae before release.…”

Section: Reproductive Featuressupporting

confidence: 69%

Planulation periodicity, settlement preferences and growth of two deep-sea octocorals from the northwest Atlantic

Sun¹,

Hamel²,

Mercier³

2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Adaptations and life history strategies have rarely been studied in deep-sea corals. Here we present laboratory data on the timing of larval release, reproductive output, substratum selectivity and growth of 2 alcyonaceans (Cnidaria, Octocorallia) from the bathyal zone of eastern Canada. Planulation patterns in 2 Drifa species were significantly influenced by seasonal productivity and the lunar cycle, and larval output was greater in larger colonies (from shallower depths). After release, planulae of Drifa sp. shifted their buoyancy to move between the bottom and the water column, whereas planulae of D. glomerata were largely demersal and crawled on the substratum until settlement (typically occurring after 1 to 30 d in both species). Settlement trials showed that planulae settled more readily on rough natural surfaces covered with biofilm than all other substrata tested and that larvae of colonies from deeper habitats were less selective than those originating from shallower habitats. In both species, the 8 primary mesenteries (and tentacle buds) appeared within 24 h post settlement, and polyps reached a maximum size after 2 to 3 mo. The first branching polyp was observed after ca. 9 mo of growth in D. glomerata, whereas no direct evidence of branching was detected in Drifa sp. over 21 mo of observation, although 2-and 4-polyp colonies were later discovered in the holding tank with adults. Together, these findings highlight dual traits of resilience (i.e. extended breeding period, long-lived larvae) and vulnerability (i.e. substratum selectivity, slow growth) in deep-sea corals.KEY WORDS: Deep-sea · Corals · Reproduction · Brooding · Settlement · Growth · Drifa Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 410: [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87] 2010 the widely distributed Nephtheidae (Farrant 1986, Dahan & Benayahu 1997, Hwang & Song 2007, Sun 2009.The production and release of offspring is the initial step in a suite of processes that allows populations of benthic invertebrates to be replenished and maintained. Sexual modes of reproduction in corals include broadcast-spawning and brooding. In the deep ocean (below 200 m), broadcasting appears to be the dominant trait, and reports of brooding species are rare (Cordes et al. 2001, Waller et al. 2008, Sun 2009, Sun et al. 2009. However, investigations of reproductive patterns in deep-sea corals are fraught with difficulty, and knowledge about these remains embryonic at best. Studies of shallow-water corals have shown that they may undergo synchronous or asynchronous spawning, seasonal or so-called continuous reproduction, and lunar or shifted lunar spawnings, and that their patterns of sexual reproduction could be correlated to several factors, such as temperature, depth, and tidal, lunar and solar cycles (Jokiel & Guinther 1978, Stimson 1978, Benayahu & Loya 1983, 1984, Benayahu 1997, Ben-David-Zaslow et al. 1999.After release, larvae must recruit through settlement...

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Section: Reproductive Featuressupporting

confidence: 69%

Planulation periodicity, settlement preferences and growth of two deep-sea octocorals from the northwest Atlantic

Sun¹,

Hamel²,

Mercier³

2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…In contrast to D. dianthus , DNA sequence data of the 16 S and mitochondrial control regions showed no evidence of subdivision among populations of S. variabilis from southern Australia and New Zealand30 which may reflect long-distance dispersal of larvae, or this may be an artefact of the conserved nature of mtDNA in anthozoans45. Like most deep sea corals, we also know little about reproductive mode and timing in S. variabilis , although mature gametes have been observed in New Zealand specimens in April44, confirming that it is gonochoric and most likely broadcast spawns in late April or May (Autumn) in the Southern Ocean, although reproduction in S. variabilis in the South Atlantic may be continuous46. Solenosmilia variabilis likely undergoes asexual reproduction based on observations of intratentacular budding44.…”

mentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Like most deep sea corals, we also know little about reproductive mode and timing in S. variabilis , although mature gametes have been observed in New Zealand specimens in April44, confirming that it is gonochoric and most likely broadcast spawns in late April or May (Autumn) in the Southern Ocean, although reproduction in S. variabilis in the South Atlantic may be continuous46. Solenosmilia variabilis likely undergoes asexual reproduction based on observations of intratentacular budding44.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Genetic studies of ITS, 16S, and the mitochondrial control region have shown that populations of D. dianthus on widely separated ridge systems are isolated (1000s of km30) and there is evidence that oceanographic features such as interfaces between vertically stratified water masses within the Southern Ocean are barriers to vertical dispersal in this species15. Unfortunately little is known about the early life history of D. dianthus , but it is presumed to be a seasonal gonochoric spawner like most other species within the family4344 and is therefore likely to have a relatively short (e.g. days-weeks) planktonic dispersal phase.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A comparison of genetic connectivity in two deep sea corals to examine whether seamounts are isolated islands or stepping stones for dispersal

Miller

Gunasekera

2017

Sci Rep

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Ecological processes in the deep sea are poorly understood due to the logistical constraints of sampling thousands of metres below the ocean’s surface and remote from most land masses. Under such circumstances, genetic data provides unparalleled insight into biological and ecological relationships. We use microsatellite DNA to compare the population structure, reproductive mode and dispersal capacity in two deep sea corals from seamounts in the Southern Ocean. The solitary coral Desmophyllum dianthus has widespread dispersal consistent with its global distribution and resilience to disturbance. In contrast, for the matrix-forming colonial coral Solenosmilia variabilis asexual reproduction is important and the dispersal of sexually produced larvae is negligible, resulting in isolated populations. Interestingly, despite the recognised impacts of fishing on seamount communities, genetic diversity on fished and unfished seamounts was similar for both species, suggesting that evolutionary resilience remains despite reductions in biomass. Our results provide empirical evidence that a group of seamounts can function either as isolated islands or stepping stones for dispersal for different taxa. Furthermore different strategies will be required to protect the two sympatric corals and consequently the recently declared marine reserves in this region may function as a network for D. dianthus, but not for S. variabilis.

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“…Although scientific and conservation interests in deep-sea corals have expanded rapidly, information on their basic life histories is still lacking, partly because obtaining samples throughout the year from deep-sea coral ecosystems poses significant logistical challenges. Available evidence indicates that broadcast spawning of gametes is the dominant fertilization mechanism for deep-sea, structure-forming scleractinians (Brooke and Young, 2003;Burgess and Babcock, 2005;, followed by a dispersive larval stage. In contrast, deep-sea solitary scleractinians, such as Flabellum sp.…”

Section: Introduction To the Reproductive Biology Of Deep-sea Coralsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deepwater Program: Lophelia II, continuing ecological research on deep-sea corals and deep-reef habitats in the Gulf of Mexico

Demopoulos¹,

Ross²,

Kellogg³

et al. 2017

Open-File Report

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit https://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov.To order this and other USGS information products, visit https://store.usgs.gov. This study was conducted by the Ecosystems Mission Area of USGS to meet information needs identified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. All animal collection and handling was in accordance with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Demopoulos, A.W.J., Ross, S.W., Kellogg, C.A., Morrison, C.L., Nizinski, M., Prouty, N.G., Bourque, J.R., Galkiewicz, J.P., Gray, M.A., Springmann, M.J., Coykendall, D.K., Miller, A., Rhode, M., Quattrini, A., Ames, C.L., Brooke, S., McClain-Counts, J., Roark, E.B., Buster, N.A., Phillips, R.M., and Frometa, J., 2017, Deepwater Program: Lophelia II, continuing ecological research on deep-sea corals and deep-reef habitats in the Gulf of Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017-1139, 269 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171139. ISSN 2331-1258iii PrefaceThis report presents information and results from the Lophelia II project that examined deep-sea coral habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. Background and details regarding the overall project and scope are presented in the Introductory chapter. The chapters are authored by several scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Florida State University, and cover topics including community ecology (from microbes to fishes), deep-sea coral age, growth, and reproduction, and population connectivity of deep-sea corals and inhabitants. Data from these studies are presented in the chapters and appendices of the report as well as in journal publications. All chapters are published here for the first time except for figures from Chapter 5 entitled "Deep-sea black coral growth rate and age distribution in the Gulf of Mexico" which were previously published in Marine Ecology Progress Series (Prouty and others, 2011). The editors of Marine Ecology Progress Series have granted permission for these figures to be reprinted here.iv AcknowledgmentsWe thank our funding agency, USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, which provided support for the research and field endeavors for several of the research cruises. Both Colleen Charles and Dr. Gary Brewer were instrumental in the success of this multi-year study by continuing to support this endeavor. We thank the Bureau of Ocean...

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Reproductive ecology of three reef-forming, deep-sea corals in the New Zealand region

Cited by 31 publications

References 27 publications

Planulation periodicity, settlement preferences and growth of two deep-sea octocorals from the northwest Atlantic

Planulation periodicity, settlement preferences and growth of two deep-sea octocorals from the northwest Atlantic

A comparison of genetic connectivity in two deep sea corals to examine whether seamounts are isolated islands or stepping stones for dispersal

Deepwater Program: Lophelia II, continuing ecological research on deep-sea corals and deep-reef habitats in the Gulf of Mexico

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