[Coral-List] Acropora cervicornis spawning in Florida

[Alison Moulding]

Histological analysis of samples of Acropora cervicornis collected off Ft. 
Lauderdale, Florida confirms that spawning occurred some night between July 
26 and July 31. Although divers from the National Coral Reef Institute did 
not witness the main spawning event, we suspect it occurred the night of 
July 27. However, no night dives were performed July 30 when A. cervicornis 
was reported to have spawned in Belize. Below are observations from our 
night dives and histological samples.

July 26: no night dives; abundant mature gametes present in histological 
samples collected during the day; eggs visible in branches broken off
July 27: no night dives
July 28: one colony released a few bundles at 10:45pm at one of the four 
sites we were monitoring
July 29: no spawning observed between 7:00 and 11:30pm; no visible eggs in 
several branches broken off
July 30: no night dives due to adverse weather
July 31: no spawning observed between 7:00 and 11:30pm; no visible eggs in 
several branches broken off; absence of gametes in histological samples 
collected between 11:30pm and 12am

If spawning did occur the night of the 27th like we suspect, this would 
have been the night after the full moon, which is unusual but not unheard of.


Alison Moulding, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
National Coral Reef Institute
Nova Southeastern University
Oceanographic Center
8000 North Ocean Dr.
Dania Beach, FL 33004
phone: (954) 262-3677
fax: (954) 262-4027