Experimental study demonstrates reliable spawning, larval rearing, and chemical settlement in Astrangia poculata corals, highlighting their viability as a full-life-cycle model organism.
Key Points
Establish standardized, reproducible protocols for laboratory spawning, fertilization, larval rearing, and settlement across the life cycle of the temperate coral Astrangia poculata.
Induced spawning across multiple institutions (2016–2025) using targeted thermal treatment protocols.
Cultured larvae under unfed conditions versus diet supplementation with commercial organic feeds (Reef Roids and Reef Snow).
Tested larval settlement, attachment, and metamorphosis induction using the chemical cue tetrabromopyrrole (TBP).
Thermal induction protocols reliably triggered laboratory spawning, producing fertilization rates of up to 93%.
Nutritional supplementation with commercial organic matter accelerated larval development compared to unfed larvae.
Exposure to tetrabromopyrrole (TBP) successfully induced larval settlement, attachment, and metamorphosis.