Difference in reproductive strategies of two scleractinian corals (branching vs massive) along the west coast of Mexico

Abstract

This study addressed the relative contribution of sexual and asexual reproduction to the genetic composition of populations of two scleractinian corals, Pocillopora damicornis and Porites panamensis, off the west coast of mainland Mexico. Reproductive indexes showed that P. damicornis reproduced both sexually and asexually; P. panamensis reproduced sexually, but colonies with an asexual origin were also observed (10–30%). Asexual reproduction is usually attributed to fragmentation caused by hurricanes; however, no significant association between reproductive index values and frequency of hurricanes was observed for either species. Environmental conditions in the Gulf of California seem to be more favorable for sexual reproduction in both species than other parts of the west coast of Mexico. This study contributes baseline information of differences in sexual and asexual reproduction in massive and branching corals.