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Article Review: "Optimization of light Irradiance during the early…
Article Review: "Optimization of light Irradiance during the early life of sexually-produced porites astreoides and Agaricia agaricites Recruits."
Globally, coral populations are in decline due to many factors including ocean acidification, habitat loss, disease, warming oceans, human influence.
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Raising coral larvae in aquaculture facilities is a difficult task. They require many specific water parameters including elevated alkalinity and calcium.
In early development larvae do not feed. Once settled they develop feeding appendages as well as begin to recruit the algal symbionts.
Lighting is a major variable in the development and growth of both juvenile and adult corals. However, excess lighting can prove detrimental by inducing coral bleaching in adults and mortality in larvae.
Larvae have been found to frequently settle on vertical or downward facing surfaces in shallow water.
Hypothesized that normal irradiance levels will increase oxidative stress and prove harmful to larval recruits.
Study seeks to raise coral larvae under laboratory conditions utilizing varying levels of irradiance to determine optimal light levels for post-settlement recruits.
Methods
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Systems were set up in two 453L fiberglass raceways, divided into six sections using black bags to isolate lighting.
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Discussion
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Survival of all recruits were extremely high, >90%, regardless of irradiance intensity.
In early stages P. astreoides grew more in lowest irradiance levels. After 3-4 weeks the lower levels slowed growth.
differing growth rates in low and high intensity irradiance could be explained by photodamage to the host. As recruits may not be able to effectively regulate irradiance stress and the various compounds produced in that stress.
Ideal irradiance increase regime for P. astreoides. 
Recruits of A. agaricites showed reduced pigmentation in response to high irradiance. A response showing regulation of algal symbionts.
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Study revealed a specific lighting regime can increase coral growth rates in recruits. reducing the time to reach sexual maturity.