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Effects of light dynamics on coral spawning synchrony
Charles A Boch1, Bharath Ananthasubramaniam, Alison M Sweeney
1Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9620, USA.
The Biological Bulletin
|June 30, 2011
Summary
Coral spawning synchrony depends on lunar light cycles. Lunar photoperiod, or the duration of darkness after twilight, is the primary cue influencing coral spawning timing, more so than light intensity or spectral changes.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Reproductive Ecology
- Coral Reef Science
Background:
- Hermatypic coral spawning is synchronized, often occurring after the full moon.
- This synchrony is thought to be influenced by lunar and solar light cycles, tides, and temperature.
- Previous research has conflated twilight and lunar skylight effects, hindering understanding of their distinct roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally decouple and analyze the separate contributions of different light dynamics components on coral spawning synchrony.
- To test the hypothesis that twilight and lunar skylight have differential contributions as proximate cues for coral spawning.
- To investigate the influence of lunar photoperiod, light intensity, and spectral changes during twilight on spawning synchrony in Acropora humilis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized programmed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to experimentally decouple and manipulate moonlight-dependent changes in spectra, twilight intensities, and lunar photoperiod.
- Compared the separate effects of these synthetic lunar cues on spawning synchrony in Acropora humilis.
- Assessed responses at the circa-diel time scale to evaluate temporal influences.
Main Results:
- Lunar photoperiod emerged as the most significant factor influencing coral spawning synchrony under synthetic lunar cues.
- Changes in light intensity and spectral composition during twilight had a lesser influence on spawning synchrony.
- No significant differences in treatment responses were observed at the circa-diel time scale.
Conclusions:
- Coral spawning synchrony is a threshold response to the duration of darkness after twilight.
- Lunar photoperiod is the primary proximate cue driving spawning synchrony.
- Discrete optical components of early nocturnal illumination, such as light intensity and spectral changes, play a secondary role.
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