[Coral-List] A. palmata spawning in the Florida Keys

[Iliana Baums]

We are delighted to report Acropora palmata spawning in Key Largo, FL (see
below). Sorry for the delay; we have been very busy rearing larvae! A
separate report on Montastraea and Diploria spawning will follow.

Iliana Baums
Margaret Miller
Alina Szmant
Mark Vermeij

SPAWNING REPORT: Sand Island, Little Grecian and Horseshoe Reefs, Key
Largo, FL
Location: Sand Island Reef
Date: 8/17/03
Species: Acropora palmata
Depth: 0.5 – 4 m
Bundle formation: 9:37 pm to 9:55 pm
Time spawning began: 10:00 pm
Time spawning ended: 10:25 pm
Estimated percentage of population spawning: Sand Island Reef has around
60 colonies. The 60 colonies represent 19 different genotypes (=19
clones). Eight colonies spawned representing 5 clones. Clones were
identified using microsatellite markers. Bundles first set on the
underside of branches. Some of the colonies released gametes only from
some branches.
Tide:  (Data for Molasses Reef)

Day	High	Tide	Height	Sunrise	Moon	Time	% Moon
	/Low	Time	Feet	Sunset			Visible
Su  17	High	12:28 AM	2.3	6:56 AM	Set 11:45 AM      77
    17	Low	6:42 AM		0.2	7:55 PM	Rise 11:27 PM
    17	High	12:59 PM	2.2
    17	Low	7:01 PM		0.4



Sea state: seas were 2-3 ft, wind approx 10-15 mph
State of local reefs: Sand Island is one of the few reefs in the Key Largo
area that still has decent A. palmata. However, C. abbreviata and
damselfish damage is common. White Band Disease as well as White Pox is
present. Interestingly, one of the spawning colonies had active White Pox
disease. Also, gametes were released right around the edge of a snail
scar.
Comparison to previous years: In 2003, a few colonies spawned at Sand
Island the 4th night after the July full moon (see Baums email to this
list). In 2002, we did not observe A. palmata spawning at Sand Island nor
at French Reefs in Key Largo (night 2-4 after the August full moon).

We began monitoring for spawning on Friday, August 15th through Monday
August 18th from 9:30 pm until 10:45 pm at Sand Island, Little Grecian and
Horseshoe reefs.


SPAWNING REPORT: Horseshoe Reef
Location: Horseshoe Reef
Date: 8/17/03
Species: Acropora palmata
Depth: 0.5 – 4 m
Bundle formation: 9:37 pm to 9:55 pm
Time spawning began: 10:10 pm
Time spawning ended: 10:40 PM
Estimated percentage of population spawning: Horseshoe Reef: On the 16th,
5 or 6 colonies spawned. On the 17th > 50% of the colonies spawned.
Tide:  see above
Sea state: seas were 2-3 ft, wind approx 10-15 mph
State of local reefs: Horseshoe Reef has about 100 healthy and growing A.
palmata and is probably the best stand in the Key Largo area.
Unfortunately (for us), all 27 colonies genotyped at Horseshoe belong to
the same clone.
Comparison to previous years: In 2002, no observations were made at
Horseshoe Reef. In 2001, we saw A. palmata spawning at Horseshoe Reef at
night 5 after the full moon. In 2000, no spawning occurred at Horseshoe
Reef (nights 2-4 after the full moon).



SPAWNING REPORT: Little Grecian Reef
Location: Little Grecian Reef
Date: 8/17/03
Species: Acropora palmata
Depth: 0.5 – 4 m
Bundle formation: 9:37 pm to 9:55 pm
Time spawning began: 10:10 pm
Time spawning ended: 10:40 PM
Estimated percentage of population spawning:  around 50% of the colonies
present
Tide: see above
Sea state: seas were 2-3 ft, wind approx 10-15 mph
State of local reefs: Little Grecian reef has about 50 colonies in
mediocre condition. Again, of 27 colonies genotyped only one genotyped was
found. Both Coralliophila abbreviata and damselfish damage are common.
Some disease is observed. Colonies have a lot of partial mortality.
Comparison to previous years: No observations were made in 2002 and 2001
at Little Grecian Reef. In 2000, no spawning occurred at Horseshoe Reef
and Little Grecian Reefs (nights 2-4 after the full moon).




****************************************************
Iliana Baums, Dipl. Biol.
Ph.D. student
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Marine Biology and Fisheries
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

fax 305.361.4600
fon 305.361.4642