In a remarkable advancement for coral conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory has successfully achieved the spawning of Eusmilia fastigiata, commonly known as smooth flower coral, with parent colonies settled just 22 months prior under managed care.
The original corals were received in March 2022 as part of the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project (FRTRP), an Association of Zoos and Aquariums member-driven coral rescue and conservation network focused on the rescue, housing, and future propagation of Florida corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). The corals received from the FRTRP spawned, and Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank successfully settled them. Over the last two years, the Gene Bank has raised the coral and facilitated the spawning of a second generation. The selective nature for the settlement of this species and the specific conditions required to promote sexual reproduction make the successful production of this second generation under managed care conditions a notable challenge. The feat underscores the species’ ability to be sexually propagated within a controlled environment.
The Gene Bank, located at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park (MAP) in eastern Sarasota County, serves Mote’s mission to protect and restore coral reefs. It acts as a sanctuary for corals from Florida’s Coral Reef and other Caribbean regions, with future plans for expansion into the Indo-Pacific. The Gene Bank houses thousands of coral genotypes (genetic varieties) of at least 26 species stored in triplicate, offering a critical safeguard against the loss of coral genetic diversity.
Smooth flower coral is also highly susceptible to SCTLD, making Mote’s success in breeding it a significant win for coral conservation efforts. To date, this species has not been heavily utilized for active coral restoration efforts, but the ability to reproduce within a relatively young age may change this paradigm.
Smooth flower coral, however, remains notoriously difficult to settle. To encourage settlement, conditioned plugs are used and coated with bacterial films and a specific type of algae called crustose coralline. The species’ highly selective nature and the specific conditions required for settlement result in particularly low success rates. This makes the Gene Bank’s recent feat all the more significant.
The achievement of settling second-generation smooth flower coral within managed care holds immense potential for advancing coral research and restoration efforts as it has demonstrated the ability to reach reproductive maturity at a significantly smaller size and much younger age compared to most other coral species commonly used for restoration. While many boulder coral species found in Florida may require over ten years to grow large enough to spawn, smooth flower coral has shown the remarkable ability to spawn within just two years. This accelerated reproductive cycle is potentially crucial in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions, such as rising ocean temperatures and increasing disease prevalence, as it may promote faster rates of adaptation through time. The ability to adapt to these changing conditions will be vital as coral reefs face ongoing degradation worldwide. Additionally, by incorporating smooth flower coral into restoration programs, scientists can enhance the community diversity and resilience of reef ecosystems, thereby improving the long-term efficacy of reef recovery.
45 corals that we settled only 22 months ago showing eggs or larvae in their tentacles is a strong indicator of the health and viability of these individuals. This achievement not only contributes to our understanding of coral reproduction but also offers hope for the future of coral reefs under threat.”