Peer Review #2 of "Sexual reproduction in the Caribbean coral genus Isophyllia (Scleractinia: Mussidae) (v0.1)"

The sexual pattern, reproductive mode, and timing of reproduction ofIsophyllia sinuosaandIsophyllia rigida, two Caribbean Mussids, were assessed by histological analysis of specimens collected monthly during 2000–2001. Both species are simultaneous hermaphroditic brooders characterized by a single annual gametogenetic cycle. Spermatocytes and oocytes of different stages were found to develop within the same mesentery indicating sequential maturation for extended planulation. Oogenesis took place during May through April inI. sinuosaand from August through June inI. rigida. Oocytes began development 7–8 months prior to spermaries but both sexes matured simultaneously. Zooxanthellate planulae were observed inI. sinuosaduring April and inI. rigidafrom June through September. Higher polyp and mesenterial fecundity were found inI. rigidacompared toI. sinuosa. Larger oocyte sizes were found inI. sinuosathan inI. rigida, however larger planula sizes were found inI. rigida. Hermaphroditism is the exclusive sexual pattern within the Mussidae while brooding has been documented within the related generaMussa,ScolymiaandMycetophyllia. This study represents the first description of the sexual characteristics ofI. rigidaand provides an updated description ofI. sinuosa.

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Sexual reproduction in the Caribbean coral genus Isophyllia (Scleractinia: Mussidae) in Puerto Rico

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2346 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Derek Soto ◽

Ernesto Weil

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Histological Analysis ◽

Reproductive Mode ◽

Previous Description ◽

Timing Of Reproduction ◽

Coral Genus ◽

Caribbean Coral ◽

Sexual Characteristics ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Sexual Pattern

The sexual pattern, reproductive mode, and timing of reproduction of Isophyllia sinuosa and Isophyllia rigida, two Caribbean Mussids, were assessed by histological analysis of specimens collected monthly during 2000-2001. Results indicate that both species are simultaneous hermaphroditic brooders, with a single annual gametogenetic cycle. Spermatocytes and oocytes of different stages were found within the same mesentery indicating sequential maturation for extended planulation. Oocytes begin development 7-8 months prior to spermaries; beginning in May in I. sinuosa and August in I. rigida. Gametes of both sexes matured simultaneously; May-June in I. rigida and March-April in I. sinuosa. Planulae were observed in I. sinuosa during April and in I. rigida from June through September. Significantly higher polyp and mesenterial fecundity were found in I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Significantly larger oocyte sizes were found in I. sinuosa than in I. rigida, however significantly larger planula sizes were I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Hermaphroditism is the exclusive sexual pattern within the Mussidae; brooding has also been documented within the related Mussid genera Mussa, Scolymia and Mycetophyllia. These results represent the first description of the sexual characteristics of I. rigida and refute the previous description for I. sinuosa.

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Sexual reproduction in the Caribbean coral genus Isophyllia (Scleractinia: Mussidae) in Puerto Rico

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2346v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Derek Soto ◽

Ernesto Weil

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Histological Analysis ◽

Reproductive Mode ◽

Previous Description ◽

Timing Of Reproduction ◽

Coral Genus ◽

Caribbean Coral ◽

Sexual Characteristics ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Sexual Pattern

The sexual pattern, reproductive mode, and timing of reproduction of Isophyllia sinuosa and Isophyllia rigida, two Caribbean Mussids, were assessed by histological analysis of specimens collected monthly during 2000-2001. Results indicate that both species are simultaneous hermaphroditic brooders, with a single annual gametogenetic cycle. Spermatocytes and oocytes of different stages were found within the same mesentery indicating sequential maturation for extended planulation. Oocytes begin development 7-8 months prior to spermaries; beginning in May in I. sinuosa and August in I. rigida. Gametes of both sexes matured simultaneously; May-June in I. rigida and March-April in I. sinuosa. Planulae were observed in I. sinuosa during April and in I. rigida from June through September. Significantly higher polyp and mesenterial fecundity were found in I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Significantly larger oocyte sizes were found in I. sinuosa than in I. rigida, however significantly larger planula sizes were I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Hermaphroditism is the exclusive sexual pattern within the Mussidae; brooding has also been documented within the related Mussid genera Mussa, Scolymia and Mycetophyllia. These results represent the first description of the sexual characteristics of I. rigida and refute the previous description for I. sinuosa.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Geographic differences in vertical connectivity in the Caribbean coral Montastraea cavernosa despite high levels of horizontal connectivity at shallow depths.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.718499739.793499413 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Baird ◽

Joana Figueiredo

Keyword(s):

Caribbean Coral ◽

Geographic Differences ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Montastraea Cavernosa

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Inconclusive evidence of sexual reproduction of invasive Halophila stipulacea: a new field guide to encourage investigation of flower and fruit production throughout its invasive range

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2020-0046 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 537-540

Author(s):

Fee O.H. Smulders ◽

Kelcie L. Chiquillo ◽

Demian A. Willette ◽

Paul H. Barber ◽

Marjolijn J.A. Christianen

Keyword(s):

Sexual Reproduction ◽

Clonal Growth ◽

Large Scale ◽

Fruit Production ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Invasive Range ◽

Reproductive Structures ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Low Rate

AbstractThe dioecious seagrass species Halophila stipulacea reproduces mainly through fast clonal growth, underlying its invasive behavior. Here, we provide morphological evidence to show that the first findings of fruits in the Caribbean were misidentified. Consequently, H. stipulacea reproduction is likely still only asexual in the Caribbean. Therefore, we introduce an identification key of H. stipulacea reproductive structures to encourage careful identification and quantification throughout its invasive range. Until large-scale seed production in invaded habitats is reported, the apparent low rate of sexual reproduction needs to be considered in current studies investigating the invasion capacity of this species.

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