Reproductive and physiological plasticity of scleractinian corals in response to changes in environmental conditions

Scleractinian corals are vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances and a significant loss of coral cover has been recorded over the last two decades. Sexual reproduction plays an essential role in the maintenance of threatened ecosystems. Corals alter their reproductive patterns in response to changes in local environmental conditions and in their physiological traits. This study aims to elucidate the influences of seasonal climatic factors and physiological variables on sexual reproduction in colonies of Pocillopora damicornis and Porites panamensis throughout the southern Mexican Pacific. Our results indicate that species respond differently to environmental and physiological changes. Both species show a relationship between reproductive activity and daylight hours; however, P. panamensis reproduction was also related to temperature, while P. damicornis with lipid content. Although the set of drivers involved in each stage of the reproductive cycle remains unclear, there is evidence that corals have adapted to the local conditions that, when non-optimal, could cause low rates of reproductive success. Physiological variables can be used to monitor the health of the coral community and determine the limits to their reproductive and physiological plasticity.