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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Spawning of <EM>Montastrea annularis</EM>?
(colonies were small and likely annularis but I couldn't say for
certain) was observed on a wonderful night dive on Flat Cay reef south of
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, September 20, 2000. The dive
commenced at 19:45 hrs and spawning was first observed from a single colony
of <EM>M. annularis</EM>? at approximately 20:00 hrs. Spawning was
subsequently observed to occur in approximately 8 other colonies over the next
45 minutes. Our dive ended at 21:00. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Ruby Brittle Star (<EM>Ophioderma
rubicundum</EM>) was also observed preparing to spawn (numerous indiviuals
congregating on high points through the reef) and one individual was observed
releasing gametes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Banded-arm Brittle Star (O. appressum) was also
present on high points on the reef. <EM>However</EM>, numbers were much
lower and this species did not congregate. No actual spawning was observed
though the behavior suggested that this species was preparing to do
so.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Red spawning products were visible in the water
column in Botany Bay on the north side of St. Thomas the next morning indicating
that spawning had likely occurred throughout the Virgin Islands.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The date of spawning coincides with that observed
on Bonaire. We did not dive the night before or after so do not know if
spawning occurred on these nights as well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Barbara Kojis</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>