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Sexual reproduction of four gorgonian corals in southern Taiwan

The sexual reproduction of four gorgonian corals, Ellisella robusta, Subergorgia suberosa, Subergorgia mollis and Bebryce indica at Wanlitong, a non-upwelling area, and Talauko, an upwelling area, in south Taiwan were compared in order to understand their reproductive strategies. Four species were gonochoric. E. robusta, S. suberosa and S. mollis were broadcasting spawners with annual reproductive cycle. The reproductive mode of B. indica was not certain and it may reproduce several times within one year. The mean diameter of mature oocytes of E. robusta, S. suberosa, S. mollis and B. indica was 360, 322, 461, and 312 £gm, respectively. Their fecundity was 3.2, 1.4, 1.1, and 2.0 oocytes/polyp, respectively. Corals with longer oogenesis duration produce larger mature oocytes. The three broadcasting species spawned in September, October and November after the seasonal disturbances. It may be advantageous for the survival of their offspring. The reproductive traits of E. robusta, S. suberosa, and B. indica were similar between Wanlitong and Talauko populations. It suggests that reproductive traits of theses species may be not influenced by upwelling.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NSYSU/oai:NSYSU:etd-0822108-140859
Date22 August 2008
CreatorsChang, Tsung-chin
ContributorsWen-Hung Twan, Tung-Yung Fan, Keryea Soong, Sun-Chio Fong
PublisherNSYSU
Source SetsNSYSU Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Archive
LanguageCholon
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0822108-140859
Rightsunrestricted, Copyright information available at source archive

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