First insights into the embryo and larval biology of the antipatharian coral Antipathella wollastoni

Abstract

Antipatharians are conspicuous habitat-forming coral species in shallow, mesophotic and deep sea environments worldwide. Despite their ecological importance, very little is known about their early life stages. In this study, we provide the first detailed description of the embryo and larval biology of the antipatharian coral species Antipathella wollastoni. Embryos were reared in aquaria, allowing observations of the embryo development, embryo and larval survival, as well as larval swimming behavior of the species. After gametes were released into the water column, fertilized oocytes developed into planktotrophic planulae within 48 h. Embryo and larval mortality was high, and median survival was 12–18 h. Larvae were active swimmers, with an average swimming speed of 0.35 ± 0.12 mm s⁻¹. These larval characteristics contradict previous descriptions of antipatharian larvae that report non-feeding, crawling larvae, therefore further studies are imperative to better understand early life processes in this taxonomic order.