Publication Date:
2023-03-07
Description:
Little is known about the biology of cold‑water corals (CWCs), let alone the reproduction and
early life stages of these important deep‑sea foundation species. Through a three‑year aquarium
experiment, we described the reproductive mode, larval release periodicity, planktonic stage, larval
histology, metamorphosis and post‑larval development of the solitary scleractinian CWC Caryophyllia
(Caryophyllia) huinayensis collected in Comau Fjord, Chilean Patagonia. We found that C. huinayensis
is a brooder releasing 78.4 ± 65.9 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) planula larvae throughout the year,
a possible adaptation to low seasonality. Planulae had a length of 905 ± 114 μm and showed a well‑
developed gastrovascular system. After 8 ± 9.3 days (d), the larvae settled, underwent metamorphosis
and developed the first set of tentacles after 2 ± 1.5 d. Skeletogenesis, zooplankton feeding and
initiation of the fourth set of tentacles started 5 ± 2.1 d later, 21 ± 12.9 d, and 895 ± 45.9 d after
settlement, respectively. Our study shows that the ontogenetic timing of C. huinayensis is comparable
to that of some tropical corals, despite lacking zooxanthellae.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
isiRev
Format:
application/pdf
