Sex Lives of Corals: From Spawning to Conservation

February 2, 2022

Sarah Davies, Boston University

Corals exhibit some of the most fascinating reproductive behavior in the animal kingdom. Once a year they release their eggs and sperm into the water column for external fertilization. This life history strategy allows corals, which are usually stuck in one place, to disperse to new reefs. This spawning behavior also allows coral researchers to study a variety of different research topics to better understand coral symbiosis, dispersal, and responses to climate change. Dr. Davies will share some of the exciting research her lab is doing, including some of the ways this research might inform coral conservation.

This presentation is part of the Seaside Chats speaker series hosted by NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.