First real-time observation of transverse division in azooxanthellate scleractinian corals.
Asexual reproduction is one of the most important traits in the evolutionary history of corals. No real-time observations of asexual reproduction in azooxanthellate solitary scleractinian corals have been conducted to date. Here, we describe previously unknown aspects of asexual reproduction by using Truncatoflabellum spheniscus (Family Flabellidae) based on observations of transverse division conducted over 1200 days. The findings revealed that (1) transverse division was caused by decalcification; (2) compared to the anthocyathus (upper part of the divided corallum), the soft parts of the anthocaulus (lower part of the divided corallum) were severely damaged and injured during division; (3) these injuries were repaired rapidly; and (4) the anthocaulus regrew and repeatedly produced anthocyathi by means of transverse division. Differences in the patterns of soft-part regeneration and repair, as well as differences in skeletal growth rates between the anthocaulus and the anthocyathus imply that the ecological requirements and reproductive success are different from each other immediately after division. The findings provide important clues for unravelling why asexual reproduction appeared frequently in free-living corals, and the extent to which those modes of reproduction has affected the adaptive and evolutionary success of scleractinian corals throughout the Phanerozoic.
Tottori University of Environmental Studies, 1-1-1 Wakabadaikita, Tottori 689-1111, Japan.|Tottori Prefectural Museum, 2-124 Higashimachi, Tottori 680-0011, Japan.
Yuki
Y
Tokuda
Research Center for Coastal Lagoon Environments, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu-cho, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan.
Hiroko
H
Haraguchi
Department of Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.
Yoichi
Y
Ezaki
D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D012038:Regeneration; D012100:Reproduction, Asexual; D012863:Skeleton / Q000378:metabolism