Reproductive characteristics of the polymorphic Caribbean reef building coral Montastrea annularis. I. Gametogenesis and spawning behavior

The domlnant Canbbean reef coral Montastrea annulans (Ellis & Solander) exists as at least 3 morphotypes of uncertain taxononuc status I examined reproductive charactenstlcs of the morphotypes (viz 'Bumpy', 'Massive and 'Columnar' Van Veghel & Bak 1993 Mar Ecol Prog Ser 92 255-265) histologcally and s t u b e d spawning in the field The morphotypes all had the same reproductive mode, i e mdividuals were hermaphrodites, gametogenesis was synchronized, and both eggs and sperm matured within the same gonad and were broadcast on the same lunar phases for external ferthzation Spawning in the field on Curaqao took place 6, 7 and/or 8 d after full moon in September and October No differences in spawning tune and/or behavior were observed Gametogenic initlatlon and spawning took place about 1 mo later on the reefs of Curaqao and Bonaire than in most other Canbbean locahties Poss~ble spawning timing cues such as relalve seawater temperature, moon phase, and time after sunset were found to be consistent w t h other spawning observations of this specles tidal regime was not consistent