Title: ENERGETIC RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR REPRODUCTION IN TWO MEDITERRANEAN GORGONIANS WITH DIFFERENT REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES: SURFACE VERSUS INTERNAL BROODERS
Abstract: The present study investigates the energetic investment in reproduction and the potential energetic allocation from parental colonies to larvae for two gorgonians characterized by different reproductive strategies: Corallium rubrum (internal brooder) and Paramuricea clavata (external brooder). Quantification of sexual products and biochemical composition (lipid content and free fatty acid (FFA) content and composition) were used to examine the parental energetic investment and demand in reproduction. Results showed that the energetic cost is mainly due to the reproductive activity (i.e. gametogenesis and spawning). The two species displayed different life history strategies (with C. rubrum investing less energy in reproduction than P. clavata) and sensitivity to environmental conditions (being P. clavata more sensitive than C. rubrum). The quality of energetic reserves transferred from maternal colonies to larvae was analysed by comparing their FFA composition. C. rubrum showed a similar FFA composition in maternal colonies and larvae, whereas P. clavata transfers low amounts of energy to oocytes. FFA composition suggests that C. rubrum larvae have the highest dispersal and/or crawling behaviour capacity compared to P. clavata. This shows how FFA analyses can get insight into the activity rates, the dispersal and recruitment capability of different gorgonian species. Observed differences in energetic investments may affect the recovery dynamics of these species after major disturbances, with C. rubrum strategy mainly focused on resistance, while P. clavata on resilience.
Authors: Viladrich N, Bramanti L, Tsounis G, MartÃnez-Quitana A, Coppari M, Dominguez-Carrió C, Ambroso S, Rossi S
Presentation: Oral
Session: 14
Date: 06/20/16
Time: 17:45
Location: 317 A/B
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