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<p>Coral reefs are vital to the livelihoods of Pacific Island communities, providing ecological and economic benefits. Understanding coral reproductive processes is essential for advancing knowledge of reef dynamics and informing effective conservation strategies. While coral spawning is well documented in the Indo-Pacific, no previous records exist for the timing of spawning events in the Cook Islands. This study presents the first documented observation of <i>Acropora hyacinthus</i> and <i>A. nasuta</i> reproductive condition and <i>Pocillopora verrucosa</i> and <i>P. meandrina</i> coral spawning in the Cook Islands. Field observations conducted around Rarotonga in December 2024 and January 2025 recorded spawning dates and times of 4 species of coral including the spawning of two <i>Acropora</i> species on the same night. <i>Acropora hyacinthus</i> and <i>A. nasuta</i> were determined to spawn 9&#xa0;days following the full moon in December 2024 from observations of gamete bundles setting late in the evening followed by the absence of gametes the following day. <i>Pocillopora verrucosa</i> was directly observed spawning 2&#xa0;days following the new moon on 1 January 2025, 45&#xa0;min after sunrise. <i>Pocillopora meandrina</i> was observed spawning 2&#xa0;days after the full moon on 15 January 2025, 56&#xa0;min after sunrise<i>.</i> These findings provide crucial baseline information on <i>Acropora</i> and <i>Pocillopora</i> reproductive ecology in the Cook Islands and underscore the need for continued research to support local reef conservation efforts.</p>

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Observations of coral reproduction (Acropora and Pocillopora spp.) in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月1日

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  • Phoebe A. Argyle,
  • Michael S. Parrish,
  • Mereana O. A. Atatoa Carr,
  • Matthew Sullivan

摘要

Coral reefs are vital to the livelihoods of Pacific Island communities, providing ecological and economic benefits. Understanding coral reproductive processes is essential for advancing knowledge of reef dynamics and informing effective conservation strategies. While coral spawning is well documented in the Indo-Pacific, no previous records exist for the timing of spawning events in the Cook Islands. This study presents the first documented observation of Acropora hyacinthus and A. nasuta reproductive condition and Pocillopora verrucosa and P. meandrina coral spawning in the Cook Islands. Field observations conducted around Rarotonga in December 2024 and January 2025 recorded spawning dates and times of 4 species of coral including the spawning of two Acropora species on the same night. Acropora hyacinthus and A. nasuta were determined to spawn 9 days following the full moon in December 2024 from observations of gamete bundles setting late in the evening followed by the absence of gametes the following day. Pocillopora verrucosa was directly observed spawning 2 days following the new moon on 1 January 2025, 45 min after sunrise. Pocillopora meandrina was observed spawning 2 days after the full moon on 15 January 2025, 56 min after sunrise. These findings provide crucial baseline information on Acropora and Pocillopora reproductive ecology in the Cook Islands and underscore the need for continued research to support local reef conservation efforts.