Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Che-Hung Lin, Shunichi Takahashi, Aziz J. Mulla, Yoko Nozawa
Summary: Moonlight has been shown to suppress coral spawning, with spawning typically occurring 5 days after shading. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that a dark period between day-light and night-light conditions can eliminate the suppressive effect of night-light on spawning. The period of darkness between sunset and moonrise during the lunar cycle triggers synchronized mass spawning of corals in nature.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nikolas Zuchowicz, Jonathan Daly, Jessica Bouwmeester, Claire Lager, E. Michael Henley, C. Isabel Nunez Lendo, Mary Hagedorn
Summary: This study proposes quality control procedures and CASA settings effective for coral sperm analysis, showing that additions like bovine serum albumin and caffeine can improve motility without affecting total sperm concentration. It provides a benchmark for comparative work on coral reproductive characteristics and their adaptation to climate change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yin Cheong Aden Ip, Jia Jin Marc Chang, Karenne Phyu Phyu Tun, Rudolf Meier, Danwei Huang
Summary: This study uses environmental DNA metabarcoding to monitor two tropical reef sites and shows that during coral spawning, there is an increase in eDNA coral signals, which can detect a large number of coral and fish species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo M. Pedraza-Pohlenz, Eduardo F. Balart, J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Michael E. Hellberg, Orion Norzagaray-Lopez, Rafael A. Cabral-Tena, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana, David A. Paz-Garcia
Summary: Differences in selective pressures and the energetic cost of gametes may lead to sexual dimorphism in gonochoristic corals. This study found sexual dimorphism in the corallites of the gonochoric broadcast spawner Porites lobata, with males having larger corallite area. Phenotypic modularity analysis showed that the integration of skeletal traits differs between sexes in both P. lobata and its congener P. panamensis, suggesting the degree of corallite integration may vary with reproductive mode.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Che-Hung Lin, Yoko Nozawa
Summary: We investigated the effect of seawater temperature on coral spawning timing for four species of scleractinian corals. Monitoring in Lyudao, Taiwan, revealed that spawning always occurred between April and June, coinciding with a rapid rise in seawater temperature to 26-29 degrees C. The timing of spawning was influenced by both daily and hourly seawater temperatures, with earlier spawning observed at warmer sites. Transplant experiments confirmed the role of temperature, as corals at the warmer site spawned earlier than those at the cooler site. These findings highlight the pervasive influence of temperature on coral reproductive processes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew H. Baird, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Andrew G. Bauman, Jessica Bouwmeester, Hanaka Mera, David Abrego, Mariana Alvarez-Noriega, Russel C. Babcock, Miguel B. Barbosa, Victor Bonito, John Burt, Patrick C. Cabaitan, Ching-Fong Chang, Suchana Chavanich, Chaolun A. Chen, Chieh-Jhen Chen, Wei-Jen Chen, Fung-Chen Chung, Sean R. Connolly, Vivian R. Cumbo, Maria Dornelas, Christopher Doropoulos, Gal Eyal, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Nur Fadli, Joana Figueiredo, Jean-Francois Flot, Sze-Hoon Gan, Elizabeth Gomez, Erin M. Graham, Mila Grinblat, Nataly Gutierrez-Isaza, Saki Harii, Peter L. Harrison, Masayuki Hatta, Nina Ann Jin Ho, Gaetan Hoarau, Mia Hoogenboom, Emily J. Howells, Akira Iguchi, Naoko Isomura, Emmeline A. Jamodiong, Suppakarn Jandang, Jude Keyse, Seiya Kitanobo, Narinratana Kongjandtre, Chao-Yang Kuo, Charlon Ligson, Che-Hung Lin, Jeffrey Low, Yossi Loya, Elizaldy A. Maboloc, Joshua S. Madin, Takuma Mezaki, Choo Min, Masaya Morita, Aurelie Moya, Su-Hwei Neo, Matthew R. Nitschke, Satoshi Nojima, Yoko Nozawa, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, Sakanan Plathong, Eneour Puill-Stephan, Kate Quigley, Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Gerard Ricardo, Kazuhiko Sakai, Eugenia Sampayo, Tom Shlesinger, Leony Sikim, Chris Simpson, Carrie A. Sims, Frederic Sinniger, Davies A. Spiji, Tracy Tabalanza, Chung-Hong Tan, Tullia I. Terraneo, Gergely Torda, James True, Karenne Tun, Kareen Vicentuan, Voranop Viyakarn, Zarinah Waheed, Selina Ward, Bette Willis, Rachael M. Woods, Erika S. Woolsey, Hiromi H. Yamamoto, Syafyudin Yusuf
Summary: The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s led to efforts to document spawning times globally. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) compiles data from over 100 sites in the Indo-Pacific region to provide open access for studying coral reproductive biology. The CSD aims to accelerate understanding of coral reproduction and to establish a baseline for evaluating future changes in reproductive patterns.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bing Lin, Yiwen Zeng, Gregory P. P. Asner, David S. S. Wilcove
Summary: By combining Instagram data from tourists and live coral cover maps in Hawaii, this study reveals that coral reefs both attract and suffer from coastal tourism. Higher live coral cover attracts more visitors, but their visitation contributes to subsequent reef degradation. This finding highlights the economic value of coral reefs and the importance of effective conservation management.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Bollati, Yaeli Rosenberg, Noa Simon-Blecher, Raz Tamir, Oren Levy, Danwei Huang
Summary: Urbanized coral reefs are often impacted by sedimentation and reduced light levels, but many coral species can still thrive under these disturbed conditions. A study on the transcriptomic response to sediment stress in corals found that exposure to sediment induced upregulation of genes related to energy metabolism and immune response, with anaerobic glycolysis and glyoxylate bypass enzymes being significantly affected. This suggests that hypoxia may be a driving factor for the molecular response of corals to sediment stress.
Article
Ecology
Alexandre C. C. Siqueira, Pooventhran Muruga, David R. R. Bellwood
Summary: The biodiversity of tropical reefs is characterized by the interaction between fishes and corals. However, only a minority of fish species strongly associate with live corals, and there is no coevolutionary pattern between the fish and coral lineages. The expansion of reef structures, rather than coral association, is more likely responsible for the Miocene fish diversification.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Thomas J. F. Goreau
Summary: Coral reefs are collapsing rapidly due to various factors, and urgent steps are necessary to regenerate them. The use of safe electrical stimulation has shown potential in increasing settlement, growth, and survival of marine organisms under extreme stress conditions. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels. Electrical stimulation is the only known method to reverse the impacts of extreme stresses on corals and other marine organisms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Crawford Drury, Roberta E. Martin, David E. Knapp, Joseph Heckler, Joshua Levy, Ruth D. Gates, Gregory P. Asner
Summary: To improve coral conservation and management, we used historical bleaching phenotypes, imaging spectroscopy, and temperature stress to map coral species composition and thermal tolerance. Spectral data accurately distinguished benthic composition and coral species and showed potential for mapping thermal tolerance. Additionally, we strengthened the relationship between predictions and conserved tolerance phenotypes through a study of a marine heatwave in 2019.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biology
Peter J. J. Edmunds
Summary: Coral recruitment is the addition of new individuals to populations and plays a crucial role in population size. Understanding the factors influencing coral recruitment and its ability to support community resilience is crucial due to declines in coral cover and abundance. Settlement tiles have proven to be effective tools in measuring coral recruitment and future studies should focus on expanding taxonomic resolution and using time series of settlement tile deployments.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nadiezhda Santodomingo, Chris Perry, Zarinah Waheed, Muhammad Ali Bin Syed Hussein, Allia Rosedy, Kenneth G. Johnson
Summary: This study documented the magnitude, types, sources, and potential impacts of marine litter on six coral reefs in East Sabah. The research found that plastics dominate the litter, primarily single-use items, with discarded fishing gear also making up a significant portion. Litter pollution is more severe closer to urban developments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angelo Jason Spadaro, Mark J. Butler
Summary: The study shows that herbivorous crabs play a significant role in removing seaweed and promoting coral reef recovery. By reducing seaweed cover, increasing coral recruitment, and enhancing reef fish community abundance and diversity, the crabs can reverse the ecological phase shift on coral reefs away from seaweed dominance. Compared to manual scrubbing, the herbivory of crabs has a more lasting effect on reducing algae cover and restoring coral reefs.
Article
Microbiology
Justin Maire, Pranali Deore, Vanta J. Jameson, Magdaline Sakkas, Alexis Perez-Gonzalez, Linda L. Blackall, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: The study shows that bacterial communities associated with Symbiodiniaceae respond to heat selection and may contribute to coral adaptation to climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew H. Baird, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Andrew G. Bauman, Jessica Bouwmeester, Hanaka Mera, David Abrego, Mariana Alvarez-Noriega, Russel C. Babcock, Miguel B. Barbosa, Victor Bonito, John Burt, Patrick C. Cabaitan, Ching-Fong Chang, Suchana Chavanich, Chaolun A. Chen, Chieh-Jhen Chen, Wei-Jen Chen, Fung-Chen Chung, Sean R. Connolly, Vivian R. Cumbo, Maria Dornelas, Christopher Doropoulos, Gal Eyal, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Nur Fadli, Joana Figueiredo, Jean-Francois Flot, Sze-Hoon Gan, Elizabeth Gomez, Erin M. Graham, Mila Grinblat, Nataly Gutierrez-Isaza, Saki Harii, Peter L. Harrison, Masayuki Hatta, Nina Ann Jin Ho, Gaetan Hoarau, Mia Hoogenboom, Emily J. Howells, Akira Iguchi, Naoko Isomura, Emmeline A. Jamodiong, Suppakarn Jandang, Jude Keyse, Seiya Kitanobo, Narinratana Kongjandtre, Chao-Yang Kuo, Charlon Ligson, Che-Hung Lin, Jeffrey Low, Yossi Loya, Elizaldy A. Maboloc, Joshua S. Madin, Takuma Mezaki, Choo Min, Masaya Morita, Aurelie Moya, Su-Hwei Neo, Matthew R. Nitschke, Satoshi Nojima, Yoko Nozawa, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, Sakanan Plathong, Eneour Puill-Stephan, Kate Quigley, Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Gerard Ricardo, Kazuhiko Sakai, Eugenia Sampayo, Tom Shlesinger, Leony Sikim, Chris Simpson, Carrie A. Sims, Frederic Sinniger, Davies A. Spiji, Tracy Tabalanza, Chung-Hong Tan, Tullia I. Terraneo, Gergely Torda, James True, Karenne Tun, Kareen Vicentuan, Voranop Viyakarn, Zarinah Waheed, Selina Ward, Bette Willis, Rachael M. Woods, Erika S. Woolsey, Hiromi H. Yamamoto, Syafyudin Yusuf
Summary: The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s led to efforts to document spawning times globally. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) compiles data from over 100 sites in the Indo-Pacific region to provide open access for studying coral reproductive biology. The CSD aims to accelerate understanding of coral reproduction and to establish a baseline for evaluating future changes in reproductive patterns.
Correction
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jessica Bouwmeester, Alasdair J. Edwards, James R. Guest, Andrew G. Bauman, Michael L. Berumen, Andrew H. Baird
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yoko Nozawa, Ronald D. Villanueva, Munasik Munasik, Kakaskasen Andreas Roeroe, Takuma Mezaki, Takashi Kawai, James Guest, Seiji Arakaki, Go Suzuki, Jean J. B. Tanangonan, Put O. Ang, Peter J. Edmunds
Summary: This study found a significant decline in annual growth rates of corals with increasing latitude, while no significant change was detected in annual survival rates. Seawater temperature showed a significant positive correlation with growth rates, and different genera of corals exhibited varying growth rates across latitudes.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Travis A. Courtney, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Romeo M. Dizon
Summary: The study suggests that the blue coral may become an important reef-builder under ocean warming due to its relative resistance to thermal stress and high skeletal density. Blue corals are locally distributed and may be underestimated in their ability to restore stressed reef environments.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jessica Bouwmeester, Alasdair J. Edwards, James R. Guest, Andrew G. Bauman, Michael L. Berumen, Andrew H. Baird
Summary: Early research suggested that spawning synchrony in corals was driven by latitude, but recent studies have shown no correlation between latitude and reproductive synchrony. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving variation in reproductive synchrony.
Article
Reproductive Biology
K. G. Bonilla, J. R. Guest, D. W. dela Cruz, M. Baria-Rodriguez
Summary: This study examined coral reproductive biology aspects such as colony size and age at sexual maturity, finding that 1.8 cm diameter colonies of Favites abdita can be sexually mature. It also questioned the definition of juveniles <= 4.0 cm diameter, suggesting that even small colonies can contribute to the natural larval pool on reefs.
INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Renata Ferrari, Liam Lachs, Daniel R. Pygas, Adriana Humanes, Brigitte Sommer, Will F. Figueira, Alasdair J. Edwards, John C. Bythell, James R. Guest
Summary: Ecosystem restoration relies on clear and measurable goals with standardized monitoring methods. Photogrammetry, using images to reconstruct landscapes and organisms, has the potential to enhance restoration success rates.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liam Lachs, John C. Bythell, Holly K. East, Alasdair J. Edwards, Peter J. Mumby, William J. Skirving, Blake L. Spady, James R. Guest
Summary: Increasingly intense marine heatwaves threaten marine ecosystems, with mass coral bleaching causing catastrophic coral mortality. Fine-tuning coral bleaching prediction algorithms can improve accuracy of predictions and reduce detrimental impacts on coral reefs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adriana Humanes, Elizabeth A. Beauchamp, John C. Bythell, Mitch K. Carle, Jamie R. Craggs, Alasdair J. Edwards, Yimnang Golbuu, Liam Lachs, Helios M. Martinez, Pawel Palmowski, Faith Paysinger, Janna L. Randle, Eveline van der Steeg, Michael Sweets, Achim Treumann, James R. Guest
Summary: Coral cover on tropical reefs has declined in the last three decades due to climate change, destructive fishing, pollution, and land use change. Effective coastal management and conservation strategies, along with drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, are necessary to slow this decline. Selective breeding and rearing of coral colonies from eggs to mature stages is technically feasible at small scales, but challenges remain in scaling up these efforts for restoration initiatives.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James Guest
Summary: The Great Barrier Reef has suffered from mass coral mortalities due to the climate crisis, with two new papers examining the cumulative effects of these disturbances on the reef's resilience.
Article
Ecology
Robin Elahi, Peter J. Edmunds, Ruth D. Gates, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Brian B. Barnes, Iliana Chollett, Travis A. Courtney, James R. Guest, Elizabeth A. Lenz, Lauren T. Toth, T. Shay Viehman, Ivor D. Williams
Summary: Identifying intact areas within ecosystems and understanding the factors influencing their existence is crucial for effective management. This study analyzed a large dataset from the United States and U.S. Territories to identify factors associated with coral oases. The results showed that light attenuation was a key factor for oasis occurrence, while the impact of other environmental predictors varied with the scale of observation. Human population density and sea-surface temperature variability also influenced oasis occurrence. The model developed in this study can help prioritize reef areas for conservation and inform management strategies.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Liam Lachs, Fiona Chong, Maria Beger, Holly K. East, James R. Guest, Brigitte Sommer
Summary: Size is a biological characteristic that affects ecological processes and interactions. Methods to measure size from images vary from manual to automated approaches. This study presents SizeExtractR, an open-source workflow that enables fast extraction of size metrics from images using semi-automated protocols.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Adriana Humanes, Liam Lachs, Elizabeth A. Beauchamp, John C. Bythell, Alasdair J. Edwards, Yimnang Golbuu, Helios M. Martinez, Pawel Palmowski, Achim Treumann, Eveline van der Steeg, Ruben van Hooidonk, James R. Guest
Summary: Coral reefs are facing unprecedented mass bleaching and mortality events due to marine heatwaves and climate change. Individual variation in heat tolerance suggests potential for coral adaptation. By exposing corals to experimental heatwaves, researchers found that the most-tolerant corals required double the heat stress dosage compared to the least-tolerant corals to induce bleaching. Under an ambitious emissions scenario, these differences in coral heat tolerance thresholds may delay the onset of annual bleaching and mortality conditions by up to 17 years. However, this delay is limited to only 10 years under a high emissions scenario. The results highlight the substantial variability in coral heat tolerance and the need for coral adaptation and ambitious emissions reductions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
K. G. Bonilla, J. R. Guest, M. V. Baria-Rodriguez
Summary: Reproduction traits such as fecundity and colony size at reproductive onset can vary predictably among different life history strategies of corals. This study aimed to determine the colony size and fecundity at reproductive maturity of two coral species with different life history strategies. The findings showed that larger colonies make a disproportionately greater contribution to the population reproductive output.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
James Guest, Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez, Tai Chong Toh, Dexter dela Cruz, Kareen Vicentuan, Edgardo Gomez, Ronald Villanueva, Peter Steinberg, Alasdair Edwards
Summary: Efforts to restore coral reefs usually involve asexual and sexual propagation methods. This study demonstrates the successful sexual propagation and transplantation of slow-growing corals, showing the feasibility of restoring sexually mature coral populations in under a decade.
