Lau, Pui Ling. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-94). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.ix / Contents --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Regulations of gametogenesis and mass spawning in corals --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Endogenous cues --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Environmental cues --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Studies on black corals --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Introduction of black corals --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Black corals harvesting --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Biodiversity and distribution of black corals in Chinese and Hong Kong waters --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Threats to black corals --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- Significance and objectives of the present study --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Objectives --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- "The targeted species, Antipathes curvata and the study site" --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Thesis outline --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- "Reproductive Biology of Antipatharian Black Coral, Antipathes curvata in Lan Giio Shui, Hong Kong" / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Coral Reproduction --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Sexual reproduction in black corals --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sample collections and pre-treatment --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Histological processing --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Light microscopy --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Gametogenesis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Environmental and statistical analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- General reproductive mode --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- "Sex ratio, size at sexual maturity and density of gamete" --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Characteristics of polyps and gametes of A. curvata --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Changes in geometric diameter of gametes overtime --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Developmental stages of gametogenesis --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.1 --- Oogenesis --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.2 --- Spermatogenesis --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Development of oocytes and spermaries over time --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Correlation of black coral reproduction with seawater temperature --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Gametogenesis in individual colonies --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.8.1 --- Female colonies --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.8.2 --- Male colonies --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Asynchronization of gametogenic cycle --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Possible effect of seawater temperature on reproduction of A. curvata --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Detection of the Sex Steroid 17β-estradiol and its Possible Roles on Gametogenesis in Black Corals Antipathes curvata from Hong Kong / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- "Roles of sex hormone, 17(3-estradiol (E2) in the reproduction of vertebrates" --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Roles of vertebrate-type sex steroids in Cnidaria --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Study site --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- 17β-estradiol (E2) extraction --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- 17β-estradiol (E2) assay --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Calculation and assay validation --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Gametogenesis of A. curvata --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Seawater temperature and statistical analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Seasonal profile of E2 --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Gametogenesis --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Correlation with seawater temperature --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Summary and Perspectives --- p.78 / References --- p.84