Larval precompetency and settlement behaviour in 25 Indo-Pacific coral species

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Knowledge of coral larval precompetency periods and maximum competency windows is fundamental to understanding population dynamics, informing biogeography connectivity patterns, predicting reef recovery following disturbances. Yet for many species, estimates these early-life history metrics are scarce vary widely. Furthermore, settlement cues taxa not known despite consequences habitat selection. Here we performed a comprehensive experimental time-series investigation behaviour, 25 Indo-Pacific broadcast-spawning species. To investigate the duration precompetency, improve predictions windows, compare responses within amongst completed replicated repeated 24-hour assays that exposed larvae five common cues. Our study revealed in some species begins as early two days post fertilization, but period varies between from about six days, with local retention connectivity. We also found competent settle beyond 70 old display complex temporal challenging assumption gradually wanes over time adding evidence longevity can support genetic long-distance dispersal. Using data, grouped by short, mid long periods, identified their preferred Taken together, results inform our dynamics across broad range be applied investigations connectivity, recovery.

Language: Английский

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Rehabilitating coral reefs in the Anthropocene

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(9), P. R399 - R406

Published: May 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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A user’s guide to coral reef restoration terminologies

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Light and dark biofilm adaptation impacts larval settlement in diverse coral species

Environmental Microbiome, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 25, 2025

Abstract Background Recovery of degraded coral reefs is reliant upon the recruitment larvae, yet mechanisms behind larval settlement are not well understood, especially for non-acroporid species. Biofilms associated with reef substrates, such as rubble or crustose coralline algae, can induce settlement; however, specific biochemical cues and microorganisms that produce them remain largely unknown. Here, we assessed responses in five broadcast-spawning species families Merulinidae, Lobophyllidae Poritidae to biofilms developed aquaria either one two months under light dark treatments. were characterised using 16S rRNA gene sequencing identify taxa induction and/or inhibition. Results We show biofilm age critical factors development inducing biofilms, where different compositions impacted behaviour. Further, positively negatively correlated settlement, indicating potential inducers inhibitors. Although these generally each species, observed bacteria classified Flavobacteriaceae , Rhodobacteraceae Rhizobiaceae Pirellulaceae be consistently across multiple Conclusions Our work identifies novel microbial groups significantly influence which targeted discovery settlement-inducing metabolites implementation restoration programs. Furthermore, our results reinforce community on substrates plays a crucial role influencing recruitment, thereby impacting recovery reefs.

Language: Английский

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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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An Experimental Framework for Selectively Breeding Corals for Assisted Evolution

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: May 28, 2021

Coral cover on tropical reefs has declined during the last three decades due to combined effects of climate change, destructive fishing, pollution, and land use change. Drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with effective coastal management conservation strategies are essential slow this decline. Innovative approaches, such as selective breeding for adaptive traits large-scale sexual propagation, being developed aim pre-adapting increased ocean warming. However, there still major gaps our understanding technical methodological constraints producing corals restoration interventions. Here we propose a framework selectively rearing them from eggs 2.5-year old colonies using coral Acropora digitifera model species. We present methods choosing crossing, enhancing early survivorship ex situ nurseries, outplanting monitoring natal reefs. used short-term (7-day) temperature stress assay select parental based heat tolerance excised branches. From six colonies, produced 12 distinct crosses, compared growth transferred nurseries or outplanted reef at different ages. demonstrate that is technically feasible small scales could be upscaled part restorative assisted evolution initiatives. Nonetheless, challenges overcome before can implemented viable tool, especially post-settlement phases. Although interdisciplinary approaches will needed many identified study, potential tool within managers toolbox support persistence selected face

Language: Английский

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Enhancing Coral Survival on Deployment Devices With Microrefugia

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: May 12, 2021

Surviving after settlement through the first year of life is a recognised bottleneck in up-scaling reef coral restoration. Incorporating spatial refugia devices has potential to alleviate some hazards experienced by young recruits, such as predation and accidental grazing, can increase likelihood survival size-escape thresholds. Yet optimising design microrefugia challenging due complexity physical biological processes that occur at fine scales around recruit. Here, we investigated effects microhabitat features on Acropora tenuis spat year-long experimental field deployment two types artificial devices—grooved-tiles lattice-grids—onto three replicate racks shallow, central mid-shelf Great Barrier Reef. Spat across device averaged between 2 39% about half all had least one surviving year. While larvae settled micro-habitats available devices, there was strong post-settlement selection for corals lower edges, surfaces, grooves, with 100% mortality recruits upper nearly within 6 months deployment. The type conferred highest average (39%) tile wide grooves (4 mm) cut way through, which significantly improved success over flat comparatively featureless control tiles (13%). We hypothesise provided protection from grazing while also minimising sediment accumulation allowing higher levels light water flow reach than devices. conclude incorporating into slits substantially post-deployment restored corals.

Language: Английский

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Increased Coral Larval Supply Enhances Recruitment for Coral and Fish Habitat Restoration

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Loss of foundation reef-corals is eroding the viability reef communities and ecosystem function in many regions globally. Coral populations are naturally resilient but when breeding corals decline, larval supply becomes limiting natural recruitment insufficient for maintaining or restoring depleted populations. Passive management approaches important some they proving inadequate protecting reefs, therefore active additional intervention effective coral restoration techniques needed. spawning events produce trillions embryos that can be used mass rearing settlement on degraded recoverable areas. We supplied 4.6 million Acropora tenuis larvae contained fine mesh enclosures situ three plots northwestern Philippines during a five day period to initiate restoration. Initial mean was very high (210.2 ± 86.4 spat per tile) skeleton tiles larval-enhanced plots, whereas no settled control plots. High mortality occurred early post-settlement life stages as expected, however, juvenile survivorship stabilised once colonies had grown into visible-sized recruits by 10 months. Most survived grew rapidly, resulting significantly increased rates density After two years growth, colony size reached 11.1 0.61 cm diameter, larger than 13 diameter were gravid spawned, fastest growth reproductive recorded broadcast corals. years, 17 1.7 with 5.7 1.25 m –2 , most sexually reproductive. cover compared primarily from A. growth. Total production cost each 220 within restored population after United States $17.80 colony. A small significant increase fish abundance 2018, higher pomacentrids corallivore chaetodontids coinciding colonies. In addition, innovative capturing spawn slicks culture pools successfully developed scaled-up reefs future. These results confirm enhancing increases enabling rapid re-establishment abundance, even

Language: Английский

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Management approaches to conserve Australia’s marine ecosystem under climate change

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6658), P. 631 - 636

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Australia's coastal marine ecosystems have a deep cultural significance to Indigenous Australians, include multiple World Heritage sites, and support the nation's rapidly growing blue economy. Yet, increasing local pressures global climate change are expected undermine biological, social, cultural, economic value of these within human generation. Mitigating causes is most urgent action secure their future; however, conventional new management actions will play roles in preserving ecosystem function until that achieved. This includes strategies codeveloped with Australians guided by traditional ecological knowledge modeling decision framework. We provide examples developments at one iconic ecosystems, Great Barrier Reef, where recent, large block funding supports research, governance, engagement accelerate development tools for under change.

Language: Английский

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Live slow, die old: larval propagation of slow-growing, stress-tolerant corals for reef restoration

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 42(6), P. 1365 - 1377

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Abstract Efforts to restore coral reefs usually involve transplanting asexually propagated fast-growing corals. However, this approach can lead outplanted populations with low genotypic diversity, composed of taxa susceptible stressors such as marine heatwaves. Sexual propagation leads greater and using slow-growing, stress-tolerant may provide a longer-term return on restoration efforts due higher outplant survival. there have been no reports date detailing the full cycle rearing stress-tolerant, slow-growing corals from eggs until sexual maturity. Here, we sexually transplanted two massive species examine long-term success part reef efforts. Coral spat were settled artificial substrates reared in nurseries for approximately years, before being monitored survivorship growth further four years. More than half initially supported living following nursery rearing, was also high outplantation yields declining by just 10 14% over At 6-years post-fertilisation 90% reproductively mature, demonstrating feasibility restoring mature under decade. Although use slower growing, stress tolerant investment post-transplantation survival rates, considerable time is required achieve even modest gains cover their relatively slow rates growth. This highlights need mix range life-history traits improve that generate rapid increases cover.

Language: Английский

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