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Vol. 41 No. 3, 2002
Lunar Periodicity of Larval Release by Pocilloporid Corals in
Southern Taiwan
Tung-Yung
Fan1, Jan-Jung Li1, Sheng-Xian Le2 and Lee-Shing Fang1,3,*
1National
Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan 944
2Department of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung
Institute of Marine Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 811
3Institute of Marine Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen
University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 804
Tung-Yung
Fan, Jan-Jung Li, Sheng-Xian Le and Lee-Shing Fang (2002) Lunar
patterns of larval release by 3 brooding corals, Seriatopora hystrix, Pocillopora damicornis, and Stylophora pistillata, in southern
Taiwan were investigated. Corals were collected and maintained in
outdoor, flow-through systems to quantify nightly release of larvae.
Planulation of S. hystrix and
P. damicornis revealed a
well-defined lunar pattern with planulae being released during the new
moon and 1st quarter. Planulation of S. pistillata occurred throughout
the lunar phase, but more planulae were released in the 2nd-quarter
moon phase. It is likely that the lunar periodicity in planulation of
the 3 pocilloporid coral species is a result of lunar periodicity in
gamete and larval development. Larvae of S. hystrix and S. pistillata released later had
higher rates of settlement within 24 h on plastic petri dishes. Based
on the reproduction and settlement information available, it would be
practical to obtain a large number of competent planulae, seed them on
suitable substrata, and then transfer them to reefs for restoring
damaged coral populations and communities.
Key words: Coral,
Planulation, Lunar cycle, Settlement.
*Correspondence: Tel: 886-8-8824485. Fax: 886-8-8824488.
E-mail: lsfang@nmmba.gov.tw
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