[Coral-List] FGBNMS September coral spawning report

[Emma Hickerson]

Sanctuary staff and researchers documented the September coral spawning 
event at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, located 100 
miles south of the Texas/Louisiana border, in the Gulf of Mexico, last 
week. (August 2006 spawning was reported on the list previously).

Depths of observations averaged around 24m (80'). Sea conditions were 
fair. Wave heights ranged between 0.6-1.5m (2-5’). Daytime visibility 
was consistently over 30m (100'). Water temperature on the reef was 
29.9C (85.8F). Minimal currents.

Full moon: 9/7/06 1842Z (counted as 1st night after full moon)

Species Time number of colonies

September 13, 2006, 8 nights after the full moon
No coral spawning observed.

Other spawning observations:
Xestospongia muta female 0840 1 colony
X. muta male ~0815 to 0820 24 colonies
Encrusting brown sponge ~0815 1 colony
Unid. barrel sponge ~0815 2 colonies

September 14, 2006, 9 nights after the full moon
Diploria strigosa 1935 to 2150 18 colonies
M. franksi 2100 to 2150 23 colonies
M. cavernosa female 2040 1 colony
M. faveolata 2113 to 2120 4 colonies

Other spawning observations:
X. muta male 0840 2 colonies
Ectoplysia ferox female eggs observed after release 2 colonies
Pink encrusting sponge 0845 1 colony

September 15, 2006, 10 nights after the full moon
D. strigosa 1920 to 2125 57 colonies
M. franksi 2120 to 22:10 24 colonies
S. intersepta male ~ 22:00 6 colonies
S. intersepta female after 22:00 1 colony

Other spawning observations:
X. muta male 0830 to 0900 at least 21 colonies
X. muta female 0830 to 0950 7 colonies
Ectoplysia ferox female eggs observed after release 3 colonies
Holacanthus ciliaris 1945 1 pr



Depths of observations averaged around 24m (80'). Sea conditions were 
excellent. Wave heights ranged between 0-0.6m (0 - 2'). Daytime 
visibility was consistently over 30m (100'). Water temperature on the 
reef was 29.7C (85.5F). Minimal currents.

Coral spawning observations were made by the FGBNMS research team: Emma 
Hickerson, G.P. Schmahl, Doug Weaver, and Emily Platzer. Other 
contributers were Andy Bruckner (NOAA Fisheries), Eric Borneman 
(University of Houston), Craig Burnside (Bainbridge College), Joyce and 
Frank Burek (Azure Photography), Chris Parsons, and Neal Baltz.

There is a possibility of a second spawning event this year, in 
September, 2006 at the FGBNMS. A research cruise has been scheduled 
during the predicted dates to document the event, should it occur.

Emma Hickerson

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***PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS***

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Emma L. Hickerson
Research Coordinator
emma.hickerson at noaa.gov

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216
Galveston, TX 77551

Phone: 409-621-5151
cell: 979-777-3895
fax: 409-621-1316

flowergarden.noaa.gov
sanctuaries.noaa.gov





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-- 
***PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS***

`````````````````````````````````````````````````
Emma L. Hickerson
Research Coordinator
emma.hickerson at noaa.gov

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216
Galveston, TX  77551

Phone:  409-621-5151
cell:  979-777-3895
fax: 409-621-1316

flowergarden.noaa.gov
sanctuaries.noaa.gov





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