Optimizing in vitro fertilization in four Caribbean coral species

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e18918 - e18918

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Larval propagation and seeding of scleractinian corals for restoration is a rapidly expanding field, with demonstrated applications to assist the recovery declining populations on reefs. The process typically involves collecting coral reproductive material, facilitating in vitro fertilization (IVF), settling outplanting resulting offspring. Optimizing IVF can reduce gamete wastage increase larval yields propagation, therefore improving efficiency this intervention. In study we tested three conditions four Caribbean broadcast-spawning species (i.e., Diploria labyrinthiformis, Colpophyllia natans, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Orbicella faveolata) determine sperm concentration, age, co-incubation time highest success. For each species, exposed eggs from single dam pooled samples sires (1) at concentrations ranging zero 109 cell mL-1, (2) after letting gametes age 2 6 h, (3) period 15 120 min. These experiments revealed longevity least 4 h clear minimum concentration thresholds (>105 106 mL-1) all species. Fertilization took place much faster than expected (≤15 min) brain under study, whereas O. faveolata required 60 min achieve maximum We present these results context data available other hermaphroditic scleractinians. then provide recommendations breeding practitioners maximize production collections, finally, discuss our findings' potential implications dynamics during natural spawning events.

Language: Английский

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Allee effects limit coral fertilization success

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(52)

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

Coral populations are being progressively thinned by climate change, which elevates the risk of reproductive failure from Allee effects during fertilization. Studies have shown that fertilization success improves more intense and synchronized spawning, but local dependence on coral density remains unknown in wild populations. Here, we measure individual colonies common table coral, Acropora hyacinthus Palau, Micronesia. We find strong evidence spatial such averaged 30% when were close proximity (<0.5 m), this declined rapidly to less than 10% at a separation 10 m virtually zero 15 20 m. The distance nearest neighbor conspecific, gravid colony is better predictor observing measured several alternative scales (2 m). Spawning synchrony increases corals proximity, may reinforce as become further separated. Fertilization nearly threefold second night spawning with higher wind despite there intensive colonies, highlighting potential importance prevailing weather driving outcome mass events. Overall, population A. achieved 71% its potential. Further studies patchiness needed generalize likelihood effects, how change impacts function reefs, opportunities for restoration safeguard reconnecting depleted

Language: Английский

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Critical thresholds of adult patch density and spacing during coral fertilisation

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 14, 2025

Extreme climate events have severe impacts on the ecological functioning of marine ecosystems by causing wide-spread declines in population sizes and, for surviving individuals, limiting capacity recovery through sexual reproduction. Ecological theory suggests that impacted populations can suffer local extinction due to Allee effects occur during reproduction ^1-3: large distances between corals prevents gamete encounters, resulting reproductive failure ^4-6. Corals are particularly vulnerable impacts; however, without understanding relationship spacing spawning individuals and fertilisation success, reefs may pass a critical threshold before effective conservation measures be implemented. To assess influence adult patch characteristics we conducted series manipulative field experiments using three common broadcast-spawning Acropora species two countries (One Tree Island, GBR; Nikko Bay, Palau). Experimental coral ranged mean intercolonial distance from 1 2 m resulted low but notable ranging 1.2 8.7%. We developed an independent mechanistic model whose predictions closely aligned with empirical data. The predicts absence strong convergence zones, densities need exceed 13 – 50 colonies per 100 square meters remain 10% reproductively functional.

Language: Английский

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Critical thresholds of adult patch size and spacing during coral fertilisation

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 8, 2024

Extreme climate events have severe impacts on the ecological functioning of marine ecosystems by causing wide-spread declines in population sizes and, for surviving individuals, limiting capacity recovery through sexual reproduction. Ecological theory suggests that impacted populations can suffer local extinction due to Allee effects occur during reproduction ^1-3: large distances between corals prevents gamete encounters, resulting reproductive failure ^4-6. Corals are particularly vulnerable impacts; however, without understanding relationship spacing spawning individuals and fertilisation success, reefs may pass a critical threshold before effective conservation measures be implemented. To assess influence adult patch characteristics we conducted series manipulative field experiments using three common broadcast-spawning Acropora species two countries (One Tree Island, GBR; Nikko Bay, Palau). Experimental coral ranged mean intercolonial distance from 1 2 m resulted low but notable ranging 1.2 8.7%. We developed an independent mechanistic model whose predictions closely aligned with empirical data. The predicts absence strong convergence zones, densities need exceed 13 – 50 colonies per 100 square meters remain 10% reproductively functional.

Language: Английский

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Reproductive biology and early life history of the solitary coral Heliofungia actiniformis from Singapore and the Philippines

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 171(2)

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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