[Coral-List] Coral spawning in the Caribbean

[Ernesto Weil]

Dear friends and colleagues, 

 

We would like to know if anybody has information on lack of mass-spawning
and/or lack of reproductive activity for the Montastraea species group in
the south eastern, northern and western Caribbean this past Summer. Here in
Puerto Rico, M. faveolata, M. franksi and M. annularis did not mass-spawned
in August and September in La Parguera and in the eastern coast (Edwin
Hernandez). Very few colonies produced few egg bundles, which failed to
fertilize in lab trials. We think this reproductive failure is a consequence
of the intensive bleaching of 2005. Colonies in La Parguera were bleached
well into 2006 (May-June). Observation in other areas where bleaching was
absent (CURACAO) or minor (Panama), reported normal spawning activity. Any
input would be appreciated. 

 

EW

 

Ernesto Weil, Ph.D

Professor

Department of Marine Sciences

University of Puerto Rico

(787) 899-2048  ext. 241

(787) 899-5500  FAX