Reproduction and recruitment of corals: comparisons among the Caribbean, the Tropical Pacific, and the Red Sea

Abstract

Detailed reproductive data are now available for 210 of the ca 600 identified scleractinian reef coral species. The majonty (131 species) are hermaphroditic broadcast spawners, although hermaphroditic brooders (1 1 species), gonochoristic broadcasters (37 species), and gonochoristic brooders (7 species) have also been reported. Characteristics of sexuality and mode of reproduction are generally conservative within species, genera, and even families, although some exceptions occur. Variation in timing or mode of reproduction in allopatric populations may represent adaptations to local environmental conditions or indicate problems in the taxonomy of some groups. Synchronous spawning of numerous species occurs on the Great Barrier Reef, while asynchrony among and withln species has been observed in the Red Sea, Caribbean, Central Pacific, Hawall, and southern Japan. Sexual reproduct~on is the primary means for successful recruitment for some coral populations, while asexual processes may be the dominant or sole means of recruitment for these same species at the limits of their ranges. Recruitment success of different reproductive strategies may vary within and between localities, and is mediated by both biotic (predation, competition) and abiotic (environmental variability, disturbance) factors. Data on reproductive patterns and recruitment success may be applied to coral reef management practices.