Mesophotic coral-reef environments depress the reproduction of the coral Paramontastraea peresi in the Red Sea

Feldman, Bar; Shlesinger, Tom; Loya, Yossi

doi:10.1007/s00338-017-1648-8

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…For R. f. fulvum, however, a lower fecundity was found in upper MCE colonies compared to those in the shallow reef ( Figure 8) and, additionally, a lower intensity of surfacebrooding events was found in the deeper population (Figure 4). Similarly, a reduced fecundity has been noted for temperate upper MCE octocorals (Tsounis et al, 2006;Gori et al, 2012) and for most of the studied MCE stony corals (e.g., Rinkevich and Loya, 1987;Prasetia et al, 2016;Feldman et al, 2018;Shlesinger et al, 2018). For example, Gori et al (2012) reported a lower reproductive output in the upper MCE E. singularis population in comparison to the shallow-water one.…”

Section: Fecundity and Intensity Of Surface-brooding Eventsmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…The sexual reproduction of MCE stony corals has gained increasing interest recently (e.g., Holstein et al, 2015Holstein et al, , 2016Eyal-Shaham et al, 2016;Prasetia et al, 2016Prasetia et al, , 2017Feldman et al, 2018;Shlesinger et al, 2018). To date, around 10 stony coral species have been reported as manifesting a decreased reproductive performance with depth (e.g., Shlesinger et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Seriatopora hystrix in the Okinawan MCE (Japan) produces smaller planulae and features a shorter gametogenic cycle with increasing depth (Prasetia et al, 2017). The reproductive performance of eight MCE stony coral species from the Red Sea manifests a decrease with depth, as reflected in delayed or protracted spawning events, decreased fecundity and/or diameter of oocytes, and even an apparent absence of female gonads (e.g., Feldman et al, 2018;Shlesinger et al, 2018). In contrast, in the United States Virgin Islands, the polyp fecundity of the depth-generalist Orbicella faveolata increases with depth (e.g., Holstein et al, 2015) while Porites astreoides features equal planulae densities along the depth gradient there (e.g., Holstein et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Octocoral Sexual Reproduction: Temporal Disparity Between Mesophotic and Shallow-Reef Populations

et al. 2018

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Mesophotic coral-reef ecosystems (MCEs) are light-dependent communities occurring at 30 to ∼150 m depth in the clear waters of tropical and subtropical regions. The extent to which MCEs and shallow benthic populations are connected, and whether coral sexual reproduction is maintained under the mesophotic environmental conditions, are still unclear. Despite the trend of increasing studies concerning the MCEs, the reproductive traits of MCE Indo-Pacific octocorals have remained uninvestigated to date. The current study engages with two common zooxanthellate octocorals in the northern Red Sea: the internal-brooder Ovabunda spp. and the surface-brooder Rhytisma fulvum fulvum. It addresses the hypothesis that, similar to their shallowzone conspecifics, the upper mesophotic populations also reproduce sexually. We analyze the reproductive traits of tropical, upper mesophotic octocoral populations and compare them for the first time to the traits of their conspecifics on shallow reefs. In addition, we discuss the timing of surface-brooding events in relation to lunar phase and daily seawater temperature. The populations of Ovabunda spp. in the upper MCE and shallow-water display several similar reproductive traits (e.g., maximal gonad diameter and fecundity). Consequently, this species seems to be a successful depthgeneralist. In contrast, the reproductive features of R. f. fulvum differ between the reefs in the upper MCE and in those shallow-water, with a decreased abundance of female colonies, lower fecundity, and a lower percentage of colonies exhibiting surfacebrooding in the former. It thus seems that the R. f. fulvum population encounters certain constraints in the MCE that may, in turn, lead to its reduced reproductive performance there. In addition, surface-brooding events for R. f. fulvum in the uppermesophotic zone and in shallow-water were separated by two weeks. Since a distinctive seawater temperature rise preceded each surface-brooding event, temperature regimes at different depths may present extrinsic cues that influence the timing of reproduction. The findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the life-history of mesophotic benthic inhabitants in general and of octocorals in particular. Overall, the current findings reinforce the viewpoint that the refuge potential of MCEs may be reflective of species-specific reproductive traits.

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Section: Fecundity and Intensity Of Surface-brooding Eventsmentioning

confidence: 52%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Octocoral Sexual Reproduction: Temporal Disparity Between Mesophotic and Shallow-Reef Populations

et al. 2018

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“…The daily temperature minima showed large magnitude fluctuations (2-8 °C) over periods from weeks to months (Figs. 2, 6), and this week-to-month-scale variation at 30 m is in contrast to the scale and magnitude of temporal variation occurring at other deep coral reefs globally: e.g., Conch Reef, Florida Keys (45 m) 39 , Curacao, Netherlands Antilles (30 m) 15 , Discovery Bay, Jamaica (55 m) 18 , Moorea, French Polynesia (30 m) 40 , Heron Island, Australia (15-18 m) 41 , and Eilat in Red Sea (45 m) 42,43 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Temporal variation in daily temperature minima in coral reefs of Nanwan Bay, Southern Taiwan

Lee

Fan

Fu³

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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temporal variation in seawater temperature plays a crucial role in coral reef ecology. nanwan Bay, Southern taiwan is home to well-developed coral reefs, which frequently experience cold-water intrusions caused by internal wave-induced upwelling, that manifest in distinct daily temperature minima. these temperature minima and their associated sources were studied by recording in situ bottom temperatures and sea levels observed at depths of 5 and 30 m from May 2007 to September 2008. These data were then compared to the East Asian Seas Nowcast/Forecast System, and it was found that daily temperature minima presented large variations with magnitudes of 2-3 °C over periods from days to months. it was further demonstrated that the cold-water intrusions may have originated from depths of ~100 m and were strongly affected by westward propagating mesoscale eddies from the Pacific basin. An impinging warm anticyclonic eddy in July 2007 may have combined with the El Niño, resulting in temperatures surpassing 29 °C and degree heating days >4.0 °C-days at both depths, which were coincidental with a mass coral bleaching event. this eddy's impact was additionally evident in high correlations between daily temperature minima and residual sea levels, suggesting that mesoscale eddies alter stratification, substantially influence temperature variation, and play important roles in understanding ecological processes on coral reefs. Marine environmental conditions vary on multiple temporal scales, and under the influence of climate change, these conditions are likely to change in frequency and magnitude. Seawater temperature is a crucial environmental factor in determining drivers of coral physiology and coral reef ecology 1-4. Mass coral bleaching and mortality, caused predominately by abnormally warm events 5-7 and sometimes by anomalously cold ones 8,9 , highlight the importance of understanding and forecasting seawater temperature variations and extremes 10-12. The effect of seasonal and monthly (lunar) variations in seawater temperature on coral reef ecosystems is well recognized 13 , yet temporal variation on a daily to weekly or shorter scales is rarely studied 7. This is unfortunate given that corals exposed to large daily temperature fluctuations may possess elevated thermal tolerance 12,14. The risk of coral bleaching may also be reduced by high-frequency temperature variability 12. The largest temperature fluctuations in coral reefs are often associated with intermittent upwelling induced by internal waves 7,12,13. Since upwelled cold water has the capacity to act as a buffer from thermal stress during abnormally warm events, these reefs may become refuges in a warming ocean 14-17. Corals inhabiting intermittent upwelling environments have shown a variety of benefits, ranging from improved growth 18 and energy reserves 19 , to enhanced metabolic plasticity 20 , and site-specific physiological acclimatization 21,22. Yet, the influence of mesoscale eddies on corals in these dynamic environments remains unclear 23,24. Fringi...

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“…Furthermore, despite the presence of gene flow, migration of individuals between distinct depth zones may be inferred to be strongly directional, occurring primarily down the slope or vice versa (Serrano et al 2014). Connectivity can also be strongly affected by the reproductive success of corals at depth, with decreased fecundity and/or oocyte size reported for the majority of studied depth-generalist species (9 out of 11 species; Feldman et al 2018;Prasetia et al 2017;). An exception is Orbicella faveolata in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was observed to exhibit increased fecundity at depth (Holstein et al 2015).…”

Section: Population-level: Connectivity and Reproduction Over Depthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the “Deep Reef Refuge” Hypothesis: A Conceptual Framework to Characterize Persistence at Depth

Bongaerts

Smith

2019

Coral Reefs of the World

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The rapid deterioration of coral reefs worldwide has led to a growing interest in identifying areas that can offer protection against adverse conditions including coral reef communities at intermediate (~15-30 m) and mesophotic (≥ 30 m) depths. However, various concepts regarding the protective potential of deeper coral reef communities, and subsequent roles in overall reef resilience and persistence, remain poorly defined. Herein, we organize these ideas into an initial conceptual framework, and review for scleractinian corals how these ideas may be supported by the limited empirical data that is currently available. We distinguish between the concepts of "depth refuges", "depth refugia" and "depth resilience areas", based on the nature (i.e., avoidance versus resilience) and temporal scope of protection. Although past examples have confirmed the role of mesophotic coral ecosystems as short-term, ecological "refuges", there is thus far little support that they comprise longterm "refugia." In contrast, the concept of "deep resilience areas," reefs that persist long-term through disturbance by resistance and recovery, remains largely unexplored. In terms of the functional roles of such protected areas in the overall coral reef ecosystem, we distinguish between the concepts of "reseeding" and "local persistence". The potential to actively reseed shallow reefs may be ecologically important, but only for a small proportion of shared biodiversity, whereas the potential to promote persistence of local biodiversity may apply across a broad range of coral reef species. Although empirical evidence remains very limited, we hope that the incipient conceptual delineations presented here provide a constructive reference for further discussion and research into the ecological importance of deep reef communities.

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Mesophotic coral-reef environments depress the reproduction of the coral Paramontastraea peresi in the Red Sea

Cited by 20 publications

References 55 publications

Octocoral Sexual Reproduction: Temporal Disparity Between Mesophotic and Shallow-Reef Populations

Octocoral Sexual Reproduction: Temporal Disparity Between Mesophotic and Shallow-Reef Populations

Temporal variation in daily temperature minima in coral reefs of Nanwan Bay, Southern Taiwan

Beyond the “Deep Reef Refuge” Hypothesis: A Conceptual Framework to Characterize Persistence at Depth

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