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<p>Sexual reproduction plays a vital role in the survival and sustainability of populations. In the reefs of Okinawa in southern Japan, reports on the spawning and early life processes of soft corals are still limited. There are no previous records of soft coral spawn predation by invertebrates during spawning events. On the third night after the full moon in August 2024, we documented the spawning of five female <i>Sarcophyton</i> cf. <i>elegans</i> colonies during 1.5&#xa0;h of in situ observation at a coral reef site in Okinawa. We observed larval development from fertilized eggs to planula, with only two of out of 12 individuals settling during our observations. These represent the first observations of larval development, behavior, and settlement for this species from Okinawa and Japan. Additionally, within a few hours after collection, pontellid copepods (<i>Calanopia</i> aff. <i>thompsoni</i>) were inferred to have consumed much of the spawn. This was validated by detection of soft coral gene sequences (<i>mt</i><i>MutS</i>) in copepod digestive tracts using a DNA mini-barcoding method. Such predation represents an unexplored trophic relationship between soft corals and invertebrates. These findings highlight potential previously unknown factors influencing soft coral reproductive success and population dynamics.</p>

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Spawning and early-life history of the soft coral Sarcophyton cf. elegans (Octocorallia) in Okinawa Island, Japan, with notes on spawn predation by copepods

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月1日

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  • Agus A. Hakim,
  • Emmeline A. Jamodiong,
  • Geminne G. Manzano,
  • Tracy D. Tabalanza,
  • Sota Komeda,
  • Daisuke Uyeno,
  • Takashi Nakamura,
  • Marin Anraku,
  • Michihiro Kumekawa,
  • Haruko Kurihara,
  • James D. Reimer

摘要

Sexual reproduction plays a vital role in the survival and sustainability of populations. In the reefs of Okinawa in southern Japan, reports on the spawning and early life processes of soft corals are still limited. There are no previous records of soft coral spawn predation by invertebrates during spawning events. On the third night after the full moon in August 2024, we documented the spawning of five female Sarcophyton cf. elegans colonies during 1.5 h of in situ observation at a coral reef site in Okinawa. We observed larval development from fertilized eggs to planula, with only two of out of 12 individuals settling during our observations. These represent the first observations of larval development, behavior, and settlement for this species from Okinawa and Japan. Additionally, within a few hours after collection, pontellid copepods (Calanopia aff. thompsoni) were inferred to have consumed much of the spawn. This was validated by detection of soft coral gene sequences (mtMutS) in copepod digestive tracts using a DNA mini-barcoding method. Such predation represents an unexplored trophic relationship between soft corals and invertebrates. These findings highlight potential previously unknown factors influencing soft coral reproductive success and population dynamics.