Involvement of RFamide neuropeptides in polyp contraction of the adult scleractinian corals Euphyllia ancora and Stylophora pistillata

Recent research suggests that prior exposure of several months to elevated irradiance induces enhanced thermal tolerance in scleractinian corals. While this tolerance has been reported at the species level, individual coral colonies may react differently due to individual variability in thermal tolerance. As thermal anomalies are predicted to become common in the upcoming future, intraspecific variation may be key to the survival of coral populations. In order to study light-history based thermal stress responses on individual colonies, we developed a preliminary microcosm experiment where three randomly chosen, aquacultured colonies of the model coral Stylophora pistillata were exposed to two irradiance treatments (200 and 400 μmol photons m−2 s−1) for 31 days, followed by artificially induced heat stress (∼33.4 °C). We found different responses to occur at both the intraspecific and the intracolonial levels, as indicated by either equal, less severe, delayed, and/or even non-necrotic responses of corals previously exposed to the irradiance of 400 compared to 200 μmol photons m−2 s−1. In addition, all individual colonies revealed light-enhanced calcification. Finally, elevated irradiance resulted in a lower chlorophyll a concentration in one colony compared to the control treatment, and the same colony displayed more rapid bleaching compared to the other ones. Taken together, this study highlights the potential importance of intra-individual variability in physiological responses of scleractinian corals and provides recommendations for improving methodological designs for future studies.

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Multispecies spawning of scleractinian corals in nonreefal coral communities of northern Taiwan (northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Bulletin of Marine Science ◽

10.5343/bms.2020.0058 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chieh-Jhen Chen ◽

Wei-Jen Chen ◽

Ching-Fong Chang

Keyword(s):

Pacific Ocean ◽

Sexual Reproduction ◽

Coral Species ◽

Scleractinian Corals ◽

Northwestern Pacific ◽

Field Observations ◽

Northwestern Pacific Ocean ◽

Stylophora Pistillata ◽

Coral Communities ◽

Northern Taiwan

There is a large body of information on sexual reproduction in scleractinian corals, but regional gaps remain, especially in nonreefal coral communities. This study documented the reproductive patterns of 54 coral species in 23 genera and 8 families (41 hermaphroditic spawners, 10 gonochoric spawners, 2 hermaphroditic brooders, and 1 gonochoric brooder) in northern Taiwan by field observations and histological analysis, which indicated that they predominantly spawned in August while fewer spawned in July, September, and October. Based on the field observations, 50 species in 21 genera and 7 families spawned between 20:00 and 22:00 hrs for 5–8 consecutive nights after the full moon in July and August from 2013 to 2016. The spawning patterns varied profoundly in species and colony number from 2014 to 2016: 19 species (42 colonies) in 2014, 6 species (20 colonies) in 2015, and 33 species (120 colonies) in 2016. Most merulinid and lobophyllid corals were observed to spawn consistently over the three years, particularly Favites pentagona, and corals splitly spawned within the colony. Five coral species spawned bimonthly. Three brooding corals (Pocillopora damicornis, Stylophora pistillata, and Porites lichen) also sexually reproduced between summer and early fall. Through this study, we obtained a better understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of the sexual reproduction of corals in nonreefal coral communities. Furthermore, this research may have broader biogeological implications for the northwestern Pacific Ocean region.

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The relationship of the scleractinian corals to the rugose corals

Paleobiology ◽

10.1017/s0094837300025707 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 6 (02) ◽

pp. 146-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

William A. Oliver

Keyword(s):

Critical Points ◽

Scleractinian Corals ◽

Convincing Evidence ◽

Early Triassic ◽

Rugose Corals ◽

History Of ◽

The Subject ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Biologic Factors

The Mesozoic-Cenozoic coral Order Scleractinia has been suggested to have originated or evolved (1) by direct descent from the Paleozoic Order Rugosa or (2) by the development of a skeleton in members of one of the anemone groups that probably have existed throughout Phanerozoic time. In spite of much work on the subject, advocates of the direct descent hypothesis have failed to find convincing evidence of this relationship. Critical points are:(1) Rugosan septal insertion is serial; Scleractinian insertion is cyclic; no intermediate stages have been demonstrated. Apparent intermediates are Scleractinia having bilateral cyclic insertion or teratological Rugosa.(2) There is convincing evidence that the skeletons of many Rugosa were calcitic and none are known to be or to have been aragonitic. In contrast, the skeletons of all living Scleractinia are aragonitic and there is evidence that fossil Scleractinia were aragonitic also. The mineralogic difference is almost certainly due to intrinsic biologic factors.(3) No early Triassic corals of either group are known. This fact is not compelling (by itself) but is important in connection with points 1 and 2, because, given direct descent, both changes took place during this only stage in the history of the two groups in which there are no known corals.

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Skeletal growth of four scleractinian corals is not enhanced by in situ mesozooplankton enrichment

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps10422 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 489 ◽

pp. 143-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

AL Alldredge ◽

SJ Holbrook ◽

RJ Schmitt ◽

AJ Brooks ◽

H Stewart

Keyword(s):

Scleractinian Corals ◽

Skeletal Growth

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Unveiling Molecular Basis of Fertilisation in Scleractinian Corals Using Extensive Genomic Information

Current Bioinformatics ◽

10.2174/1574893608999140109113829 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 182-187

Author(s):

Akira Iguchi

Keyword(s):

Molecular Basis ◽

Scleractinian Corals ◽

Genomic Information

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Influence of thermal stress and bleaching on heterotrophic feeding of two scleractinian corals on pico-nanoplankton

Marine Pollution Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111405 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 158 ◽

pp. 111405

Author(s):

Kanwara Sangmanee ◽

Beatriz E. Casareto ◽

The Duc Nguyen ◽

Laddawan Sangsawang ◽

Keita Toyoda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stress ◽

Scleractinian Corals

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Coverage Increases of Porites astreoides in Grenada Determined by Shifts in Size-Frequency Distribution

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13070288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 288

Author(s):

Ryan G. Eagleson ◽

John S. Lumsden ◽

Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip ◽

Christophe M. Herbinger ◽

Ryan A. Horricks

Keyword(s):

Coral Community ◽

Scleractinian Corals ◽

Area Measurement ◽

Coralline Algae ◽

Measurement Tool ◽

Size Frequency Distribution ◽

Point Count ◽

Porites Astreoides ◽

The Mean ◽

The Caribbean

Despite coral community collapse, the mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) is a species currently experiencing success throughout the Caribbean. The inshore reefs of Grenada were selected to study the influence of benthic factors on the abundance, size, and coverage of P. astreoides colonies. Surveys of reef communities along established 30 m transects were conducted at eight sites in 2014 and 2017 using a 0.5 m² quadrat. Coral Point Count was used to annotate the images, estimating the coverage of scleractinian corals, sponges, algae, and benthic substrates. Coverage, size, and abundance of P. astreoides colonies were quantified using the area measurement tool in ImageJ standardized against the quadrats. There were significant differences in benthic community assemblages between islands, selected sites, and between years. From 2014 to 2017 there was a significant decrease in the mean abundance of P. astreoides colonies and significant increases in mean colony size and coverage. The presence of P. astreoides colonies was significantly correlated with: rubble (−), sand (−); pavement (+); macroalgae (−); coralline algae (+); sponges (varying response); gorgonians (−); massive corals (+); and branching corals (−). P. astreoides follows similar recruitment patterns as other scleractinian corals. Observed changes in P. astreoides populations appear to indicate a recovery event following a disturbance, potentially tropical storm Chantal in 2013.

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