Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus
Basic information on the reproductive biology of many scleractinian corals species is limited or entirely lacking, particularly from temperate zones, though it is essential for a better understanding of their ecology. This study describes the morphological aspects and the annual cycle of gametogenes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.925586/full |
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| author | Chiara Marchini Chiara Marchini Valentina Fossati Martina Cerpelloni Erik Caroselli Erik Caroselli Giuseppe Falini Zvy Dubinsky Stefano Goffredo Stefano Goffredo |
| author_facet | Chiara Marchini Chiara Marchini Valentina Fossati Martina Cerpelloni Erik Caroselli Erik Caroselli Giuseppe Falini Zvy Dubinsky Stefano Goffredo Stefano Goffredo |
| author_sort | Chiara Marchini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Basic information on the reproductive biology of many scleractinian corals species is limited or entirely lacking, particularly from temperate zones, though it is essential for a better understanding of their ecology. This study describes the morphological aspects and the annual cycle of gametogenesis and biometric parameterss of the papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus collected at Palinuro (Italy, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), filling a knowledge gap about the reproductive biology of a widespread Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic coral. Samples of P. pulchellus were collected by SCUBA diving between 5- and 10-meters depth during 18 monthly collections from June 2010 to December 2011. Sexually active polyps displayed either oocytes or spermaries, indicating that P. pulchellus was gonochoric. The sex ratio of sexually active polyps was 1:1. Gametogenesis began with undifferentiated germ cells arose in the gastrodermis that migrated towards the mesoglea of the mesentery where they completed the development. During spermatogenesis, spermary diameter increased from 25 to 83 µm. Oocyte diameter ranged from 9 to 146 µm and during oogenesis the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio decreased due to the accumulation of yolk. The nucleus migrated to the periphery of the oocyte adhering closely to the cell membrane. No embryo was observed in the coelenteric cavity of the polyps, suggesting an external development of planktotrophic larvae due to the small-sized mature oocytes and a possible broadcast spawning reproductive mode. Gonadal index of both females and males increased significantly from August until November and fertilization took place from November to January. Only sexually inactive individuals were observed from February to April, suggesting a quiescence period in both males and females. Seasonal variations in water temperature and photoperiod may have a key role in regulating gametogenesis. The analysis of the main biometric parameters (polyp width, height, dry skeletal mass, volume, surface/volume ratio and bulk skeletal density) showed a negative correlation between size and skeletal density, and no sexual dimorphism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:57:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee7a1d83074a404282b2a7d407d055d8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:57:23Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee7a1d83074a404282b2a7d407d055d82022-12-22T03:54:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452022-10-01910.3389/fmars.2022.925586925586Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellusChiara Marchini0Chiara Marchini1Valentina Fossati2Martina Cerpelloni3Erik Caroselli4Erik Caroselli5Giuseppe Falini6Zvy Dubinsky7Stefano Goffredo8Stefano Goffredo9Marine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyFano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, ItalyMarine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyMarine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyMarine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyFano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyThe Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, IsraelMarine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyFano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, ItalyBasic information on the reproductive biology of many scleractinian corals species is limited or entirely lacking, particularly from temperate zones, though it is essential for a better understanding of their ecology. This study describes the morphological aspects and the annual cycle of gametogenesis and biometric parameterss of the papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus collected at Palinuro (Italy, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), filling a knowledge gap about the reproductive biology of a widespread Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic coral. Samples of P. pulchellus were collected by SCUBA diving between 5- and 10-meters depth during 18 monthly collections from June 2010 to December 2011. Sexually active polyps displayed either oocytes or spermaries, indicating that P. pulchellus was gonochoric. The sex ratio of sexually active polyps was 1:1. Gametogenesis began with undifferentiated germ cells arose in the gastrodermis that migrated towards the mesoglea of the mesentery where they completed the development. During spermatogenesis, spermary diameter increased from 25 to 83 µm. Oocyte diameter ranged from 9 to 146 µm and during oogenesis the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio decreased due to the accumulation of yolk. The nucleus migrated to the periphery of the oocyte adhering closely to the cell membrane. No embryo was observed in the coelenteric cavity of the polyps, suggesting an external development of planktotrophic larvae due to the small-sized mature oocytes and a possible broadcast spawning reproductive mode. Gonadal index of both females and males increased significantly from August until November and fertilization took place from November to January. Only sexually inactive individuals were observed from February to April, suggesting a quiescence period in both males and females. Seasonal variations in water temperature and photoperiod may have a key role in regulating gametogenesis. The analysis of the main biometric parameters (polyp width, height, dry skeletal mass, volume, surface/volume ratio and bulk skeletal density) showed a negative correlation between size and skeletal density, and no sexual dimorphism.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.925586/fullsexualityreproductive modegametogenesissex ratioscleractiniaMediterranean Sea |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Marchini Chiara Marchini Valentina Fossati Martina Cerpelloni Erik Caroselli Erik Caroselli Giuseppe Falini Zvy Dubinsky Stefano Goffredo Stefano Goffredo Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus Frontiers in Marine Science sexuality reproductive mode gametogenesis sex ratio scleractinia Mediterranean Sea |
| title | Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus |
| title_full | Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus |
| title_fullStr | Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus |
| title_short | Sexual reproduction and biometry of the non-zooxanthellate papillose cup coral Paracyathus pulchellus |
| title_sort | sexual reproduction and biometry of the non zooxanthellate papillose cup coral paracyathus pulchellus |
| topic | sexuality reproductive mode gametogenesis sex ratio scleractinia Mediterranean Sea |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.925586/full |
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