Skip to main content
Article
Fecundity and Sexual Maturity of the Coral Siderastrea siderea at High Latitude Along the Florida Reef Tract, USA
Invertebrate Biology
  • Adam T. St. Gelais, Nova Southeastern University
  • Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Nova Southeastern University
  • Allison Brownlee, Nova Southeastern University
  • Vladimir N. Kosmynin, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Alison L. Moulding, Nova Southeastern University
  • David S. Gilliam, Nova Southeastern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-3-2016
Keywords
  • Reproduction,
  • Fertility,
  • Invertebrate,
  • Temperature fluctuation,
  • Colony size
Abstract

Siderastrea siderea is one of the most abundant corals at high latitude shallow sites along the Florida Reef Tract (25°–27°N). This species is able to tolerate wide seawater temperature fluctuations and sedimentation stress, but its reproductive status at high latitudes and under marginal environmental conditions is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reproductive potential of S. siderea along a latitudinal gradient (25°–27°N) and to determine if sexual maturity occurs in small (<12.0 cm) S. siderea colonies. Samples of coral tissue were collected in 2007, 2008, and 2009 at three sites along the latitudinal gradient and were processed for histological analysis. Oocyte size, volume, and abundance were used to calculate fecundity. Results showed that fecundity decreased with increasing latitude and that oocyte volume was the major contributing factor to this variation. Mature oocytes were observed in S. siderea colonies at sizes as small as 1.1 cm in diameter. The ability of S. siderea to reach fertility at high latitude areas suggests this species is able to reproduce under marginal environmental conditions; however, reduction in oocyte size could increase local retention of larvae. The presence of mature oocytes in small colonies suggests that stress can reduce somatic growth and shift sexual maturity to smaller colony sizes.

DOI
10.1111/ivb.12115
Comments

©2016, The American Microscopical Society, Inc.

Citation Information
Adam T. St. Gelais, Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Allison Brownlee, Vladimir N. Kosmynin, et al.. "Fecundity and Sexual Maturity of the Coral Siderastrea siderea at High Latitude Along the Florida Reef Tract, USA" Invertebrate Biology Vol. 135 Iss. 1 (2016) p. 46 - 57 ISSN: 1077-8306
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-gilliam/43/