Project Update: May 2008

Planulae collection.

In order to analyze the transplants’ reproduction we placed planulae collection devices on several Stylophora colonies from sunset till sunrise. We then analyzed the plastic cups attached to the plankton nets for planulae presence.

We counted the collected planulae under a binocular in the field and then released them back at the experimental site. All of the examined colonies liberated larvae in big numbers.

Thus, the nursery-grown transplants’ contribution is threesome: reinforcement of the poor local coral community, creation of new niches for fish and invertebrates to colonize and enhancement of the local larval pool by participating in the local coral reproduction.