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Brooding Corals: Planulation Patterns, Larval Behavior, and Recruitment Dynamics in the Face of Environmental Change

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The Cnidaria, Past, Present and Future

Abstract

The brooding reproductive mode in scleractinian corals is often associated with high recruitment success facilitating replenishment of populations following disturbance events. Thus, if conditions continue to deteriorate on coral reefs from anthropogenic impacts and global climate change, a clear understanding of patterns of planulation, larval behavior and recruitment by brooding species is needed to accurately predict future population dynamics and the overall resilience of coral reefs. Here, we review the current knowledge of these topics with specific emphasis on the effects of environmental factors and discuss implications for reproductive success and population stability. Brooding corals typically release mature larvae during planulation events that vary in synchrony on a seasonal, monthly and daily basis linked to various environmental conditions, such as seasonal sea surface temperature, the lunar and diel cycles. Release time dictates the environmental conditions that larvae will experience, such as light availability and wave action, and thus affects dispersal potential and recruitment success. Differences in larval size exist among species, as well as within broods released during the planulation events of a single species; a possible strategy to maximize the chance of fitness in unpredictable habitats. Upon release, brooded larvae are typically competent to settle within hours to days and respond to a variety of environmental cues, such as type of benthic cover and irradiance, to facilitate settlement choice. Species-specific larval photosensitivity aids in depth and substrate selection promoting survival and can ultimately influence adult distribution patterns. Studies indicate that shifts in benthic cover from environmental changes, such as algal abundance and sedimentation, may inhibit or change patterns of larval settlement, which will affect species composition and reef resilience. Research on the effects of ocean acidification and rising sea surface temperatures on the physiology, settlement and early calcification of larvae of brooding corals show mixed results, but patterns suggest that if global climate change continues at or beyond projected scenarios over the next century, recruitment may be compromised. Thus, an increased understanding of planulation patterns, larval behavior, and recruitment dynamics of brooding species will be essential for conservation and management in the face of environmental change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Lane, St. Georges, GE01, Bermuda

    Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley & Samantha J. de Putron

Authors
  1. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley
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  2. Samantha J. de Putron
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Correspondence to Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biological, Geological and Env Scie, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Stefano Goffredo

  2. Fac. Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

    Zvy Dubinsky

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Goodbody-Gringley, G., de Putron, S.J. (2016). Brooding Corals: Planulation Patterns, Larval Behavior, and Recruitment Dynamics in the Face of Environmental Change. In: Goffredo, S., Dubinsky, Z. (eds) The Cnidaria, Past, Present and Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31305-4_18

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