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Reproductive strategies of two invasive sun corals (Tubastraea spp.) in the southwestern Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2014

Alline Figueira de Paula ,
Débora de Oliveira Pires  and
Joel Christopher Creed
Alline Figueira de Paula*
Affiliation:
Setor de Celenterologia, Departamento de Invertebrados – Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Débora de Oliveira Pires
Affiliation:
Setor de Celenterologia, Departamento de Invertebrados – Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Coral Vivo Associate Researcher
Joel Christopher Creed
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia Marinha Bêntica, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – UERJ, PHLC Sala 220, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, CEP 20559-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A.F. de Paula, Setor de Celenterologia, Departamento de Invertebrados – Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil email: allinefigueira@hotmail.com
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Abstract

The azooxanthellate sun corals Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis are invasive species which were introduced into Brazilian shallow-water tropical rocky reefs by oil and gas platforms. Both species are simultaneous hermaphrodites and brooders. Histological analysis shows a continuous reproduction with the presence of different stages of development of oocytes, spermatic cysts and larvae occurring together in the same polyps (overlapping). Gametogenesis, embryogenesis, planulation and settlement were observed. Although most of the colonies showed only oocytes, none had only testes. Spermatic cysts were observed in 8.3% of T. coccinea colonies and in 5.5% of colonies of T. tagusensis. The maximum diameter of oocyte of T. tagusensis (1252.5 µm) was greater than T. coccinea (901.8 µm) and mature spermaries 700 µm in diameter formed the typical arrangement of ‘bouquets’. Although all colonies showed oocytes throughout the year, two reproductive peaks of 3–4 months duration were observed. The larvae of T. coccinea and T. tagusensis had a competency period of 18 d in aquaria and settled near the parental colony. The investigation of gametogenesis, temporal patterns of reproduction, fecundity and sexual maturation helps to explain the rapid expansion in to new habitats and high population growth in these invasive sun corals.

Keywords

reproductive cyclefecundityexotic speciesinvasionTubastraea coccineaTubastraea tagusensis
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 94 , Issue 3 , May 2014 , pp. 481 - 492
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014 

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