Journal article
Elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus reduce fertilisation success of gametes from scleractinian reef corals
Marine Biology, Vol.139(6), pp.1057-1068
2001
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Abstract
<p>Spawned gametes were collected from colonies of <em>Acropora</em><em>longicyathus</em> at One Tree Island and <em>Goniastrea</em><em>aspera</em> at Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, for use in fertilisation trials. Mean fertilisation rates were significantly reduced compared with controls (<em>P</em><0.003), when gametes from the branching coral <em>A</em>. <em>longicyathus</em> were exposed to elevated ammonium concentrations at 1 µM and above in one cross (60–64% reduction), and at 100 µM in another cross (16% reduction). Mean fertilisation success of <em>A</em>. <em>longicyathus</em> gametes was also significantly reduced compared with controls in both crosses (<em>P</em>=0.000) at concentrations of 1 µM phosphate and above (35–75% reduction), and at 1 µM ammonium plus 1 µM phosphate and all higher concentrations (68–74% reduction). Similarly, the mean percentage of regular embryos that were developing normally was significantly reduced in most nutrient treatments compared with controls (<em>P</em>=0.000). Fertilisation trials using gametes from the brain coral <em>G</em>. <em>aspera</em> resulted in a significantly lower percentage of regular embryos (<em>P</em>=0.001) and a significantly higher percentage of deformed embryos (<em>P</em>=0.001) developing after exposure to elevated nutrient treatments compared with controls. Mean fertilisation rates for this species were only significantly reduced (<em>P</em>=0.034) in the 50 µM ammonium plus phosphate treatment in one cross (8% reduction), compared with the control. Therefore, ammonium and phosphate enrichment significantly impairs fertilisation success and embryo development in scleractinian reef corals.</p>
Details
- Title
- Elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus reduce fertilisation success of gametes from scleractinian reef corals
- Creators
- Peter Lynton Harrison - Southern Cross UniversityS Ward - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Marine Biology, Vol.139(6), pp.1057-1068
- Identifiers
- 4191; 991012821906802368
- Academic Unit
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Science; Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Journal article