Reproductive ecology of the scleractinian coral Echinopora lamellosa in northern and southern Taiwan
Resource
Marine Biology 123 (3): 565-572
Journal
Marine Biology
Journal Volume
123
Journal Issue
3
Pages
565-572
Date Issued
1995
Author(s)
Fan, T.-Y.
Abstract
Sexual reproduction of the scleractinian coral Echinopora lamellosa in Yenliao Bay, northern Taiwan, and in Nanwan Bay, southern Taiwan, was studied from 1990 to 1993. E. lamellosa is a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner. Gametogenesis takes about 4 to 6 mo and spawning occurs in the summer and fall (July to October). Gametogenesis of the Yenliao Bay population began in April, one month earlier than that of the Nanwan Bay population. Spawning of the Yenliao Bay population occurred in July and August 1991 and August 1992, two months earlier than that at Nanwan Bay in 1991 and in the same month at both sites in 1992. The delayed reproduction of E. lamellosa at the lower latitude (Nanwan Bay) suggests that sea temperature does not operate as a proximate cue for the timing of reproductive activity. The spawning season of the Nanwan Bay population may reflect the environmental conditions favoring the survival of planktonic larvae. The mature egg size (265 μm in 1991 and 251 μm in 1992, n=112) and colony size at sexual maturity (10.1 to 20.0 cm in diameter) of the Yenliao Bay population were significantly larger than those of the Nanwan Bay population (214 μm in 1991 and 216 μm in 1992 for egg size, n=112, and 2.6 to 5.0 cm for colony size at sexual maturity). The larger egg and colony size at sexual maturity may be related to the unfavorable environment in Yenliao Bay. © 1995 Springer-Verlag.
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journal article
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