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Adding coral rubble to substrata enhances settlement of Pocillopora damicornis larvae

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Abstract

Settlement preferences of Pocillopora damicornis larvae were examined on artificial substrata. Planulation of P. damicornis followed a lunar cycle and the release of larvae occurred after new moon. P. damicornis larvae had the highest rates of settlement within 3 days of being presented settlement substrata. Cumulative settlement gradually increased from 3 to 8 days, and post-settlement mortality was most frequent after 8 days. Settlement experiments showed greatest settlement preference to cement tiles containing 10% coral rubble. This study suggests that physical cues are important in the settlement process, which may be useful for coral reef rehabilitation projects.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Sin Tsai Min and staff from Tropical Marine Science Institute for invaluable assistance in the research work, and Angie Seow for field assistance. We also thank Shaifudin, and the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. This research was partially funded by the NIE/NTU AcRF Grant (RP 5/02 GPL), Natural Sciences and Science Education at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, held by the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Science Laboratory, Natural Sciences & Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore, 637616, Singapore

    C. S. Lee

  2. Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119223, Singapore

    C. S. Lee & J. Walford

  3. Natural Sciences & Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore, 637616, Singapore

    B. P. L. Goh

Authors
  1. C. S. Lee
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  2. J. Walford
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  3. B. P. L. Goh
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Correspondence to B. P. L. Goh.

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Communicated by Environment Editor Prof. Rob van Woesik

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Lee, C.S., Walford, J. & Goh, B.P.L. Adding coral rubble to substrata enhances settlement of Pocillopora damicornis larvae. Coral Reefs 28, 529–533 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0467-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0467-y

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