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Reproduction in Aquatic Animals pp 167–177Cite as

Chapter 8 Reproduction in the Coral Acropora

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Abstract

The speciose reef coral Acropora spp. has synchronous spawning. Many of its congeners spawn at the same time; hence, gametes of the different species mix in the water column. Nevertheless, the different species are generally reproductively isolated, although introgressive hybridization has been reported for several congeners. The complex reproductive isolation mechanisms in Acropora species depend on spawning synchronisms and gamete recognition at fertilization. The reticulate evolution that results from introgressive hybridization in Acropora is thought to be related to speciation in the genus. In this chapter, we introduce reproductive isolation in Acropora, focusing on spawning synchronization, regulation of sperm motility, gamete-species recognition, and the potential for hybridization in nature.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this chapter was supported in part by a JSPS KAKENHI grant (#17K07414) to MM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Motobu, Okinawa, Japan

    Masaya Morita & Seiya Kitanobo

Authors
  1. Masaya Morita
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  2. Seiya Kitanobo
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Correspondence to Masaya Morita .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Misaki Marine Biological Station, The University of Tokyo, Miura, Kanagawa, Japan

    Manabu Yoshida

  2. Institute for Animal Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain

    Juan F. Asturiano

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Morita, M., Kitanobo, S. (2020). Chapter 8 Reproduction in the Coral Acropora. In: Yoshida, M., Asturiano, J. (eds) Reproduction in Aquatic Animals. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2290-1_9

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