REPRODUCTION

IN
CORALS
Life history
­sequence of developmental 
stages from birth to death

Growth, Reproduction, Senescence, Mortality
All of this activity takes energy ­ must be apportioned

Growth
Reproduction
Respiration
Feeding
Mate Seeking
Defense

Different investment
Growth patterns
Reproduction
Respiration
Feeding
Mate Seeking
Defense
 Aclonal Life History

recruitment
Sexual reproduction

Death
 Clonal Life History

Sexual reproduction

recruitment

Fission Fission Fission

Death
 Concept of the Individual in Corals

1. Morphological ­ Polyp (= ramet)
 Concept of the Individual in Corals

2. Physiological ­ Groups of connected polyps
 Concept of the Individual in Corals

3. Genetic ­ All polyps and colonies derived from the same zygote (Genet)
Asexual reproduction in corals - Budding

Intratentacular Extratentacular
Asexual reproduction in corals - Budding

Intratentacular Extratentacular

Can stay in place = growth Can detach and grow elsewhere

= asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction in corals - Budding
Asexual reproduction in corals - Fragmentation
 Three colonies but one 
Partial colony mortality genetic individual

Dead areas
Costs and Benefits of Fragmentation

Benefit - risk of genet mortality

-spread over several colonies

Costs
-disrupt physiological function

- possible decrease in fecundity

- possible postponement of sexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction in corals - Polyp Bailout

Coral Budding
 Sexual Patterns

1. Gonochoristic (dioecious) 2. Hermaphroditic (monecious)

Development Patterns

1. Brooders 2. Spawners
-retain embryo -free-spawning
Development Patterns
Can these patterns be related to life history/structure/habitat?

1. Related to whether species is r- or K- selected? X

2. Related to depth?

-shallow should brood, deeper should spawn X

3. Related to the size and structure of the coral?

-small, branched corals should brood, X

larger massive corals should spawn

4. Related to habitat stability?

-corals in predictable habitats should brood ?

Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

1. Growth rate and reproduction

Growth rate

Size
 Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

1. Growth rate and reproduction

Growth rate
or calcification Pavona
rate
Breeding season

Time of year
Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

2. Polyp size
Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

3. Allocation of energy (within reproduction)

Pavona
25-50% of colony biomass as planulae

50 – 180% of colony biomass as planulae

Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

3. Allocation of energy (within reproduction)

Across species

planulae
eggs

Mean diameter
(µm)

Fecundity / year
Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

4. Temporal variation in fecundity

Brooders

Size

Spawners

Time
Strategies Revisited
All life functions can be seen as competing with each
other for energy

4. Temporal variation in fecundity

Age or size?

Goniastrea

-complex interaction

Montastrea
Gametogenic cycles

gametogenesis
ovogenesis

spermatogenesis

spawn
quiescence

gametogenesis

Correlated with a. Change in sea temperature

b. Lunar/tidal cycles
c. Photoperiod

Time
Gametogenesis
Gametogenesis
Release of sperm and egg packets
Release of sperm and egg packets

Coral Spawning
Release of sperm and egg packets
Release of sperm and egg packets
Free spawning coral
Synchrony in spawning

Sea temperature

Tidal cycle

Photoperiod
Synchrony in spawning

- Low tide, late afternoon

Goniastrea

- Low tide, evening

 Synchrony in spawning

-grind up male polyps

-expose female polyps to extract

Caryophyllia

-egg release by exposed females

Development Patterns
-effects on planula larva

1. Brooders 2. Spawners
- immediately competent - lag time until competence

- larger - smaller

- have all zooxanthellae - must acquire zooxanthellae

Predation on spawned gametes
Larval Settlement

-success depends on ability to identify site for settlement and metamorphosis

Substrate type

Salinity (>32 ppt)

Illumination

Water motion Settlement & metamorphosis

Sediment level

Chemical signals from

algae, biofilms,
conspecifics
Summary
Sample and assess
subtrate: prepare to
Planulae
settle

Young
primary
Planulae released polyp
from individual
polyps
Zygote
Brooders -
internal
fertilization Asexual
colony
growth

Broadcasters -
external fertilization