Calm before the spawn: global coral spawning patterns are explained by regional wind fields

Abstract

Most corals in tropical localities broadcast their gametes into the water column, yet we have a poor understanding of what forces reproductive schedules. Moreover, recent studies show considerable geographical variation in the duration of the coral spawning season. For example, on the Great Barrier Reef, corals display tight coupling, while corals in Kenya spawn over seven months. This study reconciles the regional variance by testing the hypothesis that regional wind fields are the corals' ultimate reproductive proxy. Regions with short calm periods should be more tightly coupled than regions with calm periods extending for several months. Regional wind fields were assessed at seven localities, between 1997 and 2006, using the 11 GHz channel radiometer tropical microwave imager (TMI) onboard the tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM). There was a direct positive relationship between the duration of regional calm periods and the coupling of mass coral spawning. Ultimate long-term evolutionary advantages of releasing gametes during calm periods ensure fertilization and facilitate larval retention and local recruitment. Coupling mass spawning with seasonally calm periods agrees strongly with recent genetic evidence of local dispersal and high local retention.