[Coral-List] 2005 Acropora palmata Spawning

[Bernadette bezy]

Hola coral-listers,

While on the subject of Caribbean spawning, I would like to interject with 
an inquiry about predictions for Acropora palmata spawning this year? I know 
it is early, but I am planning a project in the Dominican Republic and need 
anyone's best guestimate on the A. palmata spawn  dates (and times?) in the 
area.

The reason for my confusion is that last year there was a full moon on July 
31 and A. palmata seemed to spawn in early August. There was also a full 
moon on August 28. This year the full moons will be on July 21, August 18, 
and Sept. 17. Would it be correct to focus monitoring on the week of the 
August 18 full moon, despite the fact that last year's spawning was 
predicted one cycle earlier, around the late July/early August full moon?

In short, does anyone have a good estimate of spawn dates and times for A. 
palmata  in the Dominican Republic?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Bernadette Bezy
CIMAR,
Universidad de Costa Rica
b_bezy at hotmail.com