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Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology
Spawning Asynchrony Of The Endangered Acropora Cervicornis: Are Light Pollution And Abnormally Warm Temperatures The Culprits?, Krista Laforest
Spawning Asynchrony Of The Endangered Acropora Cervicornis: Are Light Pollution And Abnormally Warm Temperatures The Culprits?, Krista Laforest
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The persistence of reefs relies on mature corals spawning synchronously to maximize fertilization and produce larvae to replenish local populations. Corals synchronize the release of gametes by responding to temperature, sun, and moon light cycles; however, abnormalities in these patterns can disrupt synchrony. This study is the first to describe regional asynchronous spawning of Acropora cervicornis by quantifying gamete development and spawning times among two reefs, an in situ nursery off Fort Lauderdale, and an in situ nursery in the Florida Keys. While A. cervicornis in the Florida Keys synchronously spawned within the predicted window of 2-5 days after the …