Reproductive ecology of the deep-sea scleractinian coral Fungiacyathus marenzelleri (Vaughan, 1906) in the northeast Atlantic Ocean

• Published in: Coral Reefs
• Main Authors: Waller, R.G., Tyler, P.A., Gage, J.D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/1352/; https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/1352/1/Walleretal2002CRFungiacyathus.pdf; http://www.swetswise.com/eAccess/viewFulltext.do?articleID=15248709

The reproductive biology and its seasonality were examined in the deep-water, solitary coral Fungiacyathus marenzelleri from 2,200 m depth in the NE Atlantic, using histological techniques. A total of 186 corals were collected using either an Otter trawl (semi-balloon) or Agassiz trawl from the research vessel RRS Challenger between 1979 and 1991. All individuals were gonochoric, with all 48 mesenteries being fertile. A high fecundity was recorded (2,892 ±44.4 oocytes per polyp) with strong size-dependency. This species is a quasi-continuous reproducer with overlapping gametogenesis for both spermacysts and oocytes. No planulae were observed and broadcasting of gametes is inferred, with the large egg size (max. 750-µm diameter) suggesting lecithotrophic development. There is a non-significant trend towards a synchronous spawning event during June/July. Asexual fission was observed, though in low numbers.