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What is the optimal density of larval seeding in Acropora corals?

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  • Biology
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Abstract

In situ larval seeding is a low-cost technique that is currently under development for the large-scale restoration of coral populations. One problem that still needs to be solved is the preparation of coral larvae for seeding, i.e., how many larvae are required to restore a certain area? In this study, we focused on the relationship between the numbers of larvae, settlers, and survivors for three months post-settlement to determine the optimal larval seeding density. A comparison of three different larval densities (low, middle, and high) indicated that the number of settlers was proportional to the larval density, suggesting that settler density is determined by the number of larvae supplied. However, the survival rate of settlers on high-density plates was much lower than the corresponding rates on low- or middle-density plates during the first month after settlement. Moreover, most of the seeded corals had not survived on the low-density plates at three months after settlement. Therefore, the middle larval density (i.e., 5000 larvae m−2) appears to be optimal for seeding on grid plates.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of Ishigaki Tropical Station, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, for helping with the field research, and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. The sampling of corals was exceptionally permitted by the Okinawa Prefectural Government for research use (no. 21–40).

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Author notes

  1. Seiji Arakaki

    Present address: Amakusa Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyushu University, 2231 Tomioka, Reihoku, Amakusa, Kumamoto, 863-2507, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ishigaki Tropical Station, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, 148-446 Fukai-Ota, Ishigaki, Okinawa, 907-0451, Japan

    Go Suzuki, Seiji Arakaki & Takeshi Hayashibara

  2. Engineering Division, Daikure Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, 737-8513, Japan

    Kiyoshi Suzuki & Yukihiro Iehisa

Authors
  1. Go Suzuki
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  2. Seiji Arakaki
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  3. Kiyoshi Suzuki
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  4. Yukihiro Iehisa
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  5. Takeshi Hayashibara
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Correspondence to Go Suzuki.

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Suzuki, G., Arakaki, S., Suzuki, K. et al. What is the optimal density of larval seeding in Acropora corals?. Fish Sci 78, 801–808 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0504-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0504-6

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