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Research review: "Optimizing lighting regimes for rearing Orbicella…

- - - - Very little information on the optimal conditions for rearing coral larvae.
        
        Studies show that ideal irradiance levels for adult corals can be harmful to recruits.
        
        Many studies show that larvae prefer to settle in cracks and crevices and areas of low irradiance.
        
        This study aims to optimize light irradiance values used in the rearing of Acropora cervicornis and Orbicella faveolata.
- - - - upon spawning the gametes were removed from the system separated by egg and sperm and fertilized using viable crosses. O. fav larvae were donated to the laboratory for use in this project.
  - - - Light treatments were 60, 40, and 20 umol photons
        
        Larvae were monitored for 16 weeks.
- - - - Recruit color showed a darkening trend as time progressed, with slight paling under high irradiance.
        
        Lighting regime explained 32.3% of variation in recruit size.
  - - - Coloration varied slightly in recruits but darkened over time. Slight paling was noticed in high irradiance treatments.
        
        by week 11 most recruits that had not establish symbionts experienced high mortality.
      - Light regime explained 57.8% of size variation.
- - - - Another explanation could be the energy consumption that the algae put on the host coral. Under high irradiance the recruits may be unable to meet the energy demands of the zooxanthellae which slows growth and may cause mortality.
        
        After 3 weeks post settlement, it is possible to capture prey but they lack the necessary enzymes and internal structures to fully digest their prey.
        
        Future studies may wish to analyze symbiont density, MMA concentrations and digestive system development to look into potential causes of light sensitivity.
    - - Following a lighting regime and optimizing these techniques can aid in rearing coral recruits and increase growth rates of coral larvae.