Synchrony on the reef: how environmental factors shape coral spawning patterns in corals in the Maldives.

Elucidating our knowledge on the reproductive phenology of scleractinian corals and the environmental drivers of reproductive synchronicity is pivotal for assessing gene flow between populations and the potential for ecosystem recovery. The timing of gamete release in sessile broadcast spawning corals is key to successful reproduction; and is dependent on a complex interaction between an organism's genes and external environmental factors. In this study we assessed the effect of various environmental factors on the spawning timing and synchronicity of corals in the Maldives.

Coral spawning patterns of across two Maldivian reef ecosystems.

Understanding patterns in coral reproductive biology at local and regional scales is crucial to elucidate our knowledge of characteristics that regulate populations and communities. The lack of published data on coral spawning patterns in the Maldives hinders our understanding of coral reproductive biology and limits our ability to assess shifts in reproductive phenology over time. Here we document baseline environmental cues, spawning patterns, exact timings and oocyte development of restored and wild inhabiting shallow water reefs, across two Maldivian atolls.