Scleractinian corals often reproduce in synchronized spawning events to maximize gamete fertilization and coral larval production. The extent of spawning synchrony and its timing vary among coral taxa and among biogeographic regions. Information is, however, limited, especially for equatorial reefs, hindering the identification of environmental cues that influence gametogenic cycles and spawning. To investigate the timing of gamete maturation and spawning in Palau and their association with environmental cues, we monitored tagged colonies from 11 common coral species within three families over 21 months. We then combined our findings with previous available information to more broadly summarize the known coral spawning patterns in Palau. In combination with previous observations, our data confirmed the occurrence of an extended coral spawning season in Palau, spreading over 9 months. Some coral taxa participated in synchronous multispecific spawning events, with the largest occurring throughout April and May. Other coral taxa, including Montipora corals, displayed inter- and intra-specific spawning asynchrony. Consequently, environmental cues associated with spawning patterns differed among species. The largest Acropora spawning event of the year (March–April) was associated with the lowest yearly high tides and a monthly mean sea surface temperature around 29 °C. Massive Porites spawned predominantly in April and May, associated with increased monthly levels of solar insolation. Porites rus spawned in June–August and was associated with longest monthly day length. Our study demonstrates that Palauan coral assemblages have complex patterns of multispecific spawning events throughout most of the year, which may have important implications for larval dispersal, supply and recruitment patterns, influencing the resilience of coral reefs in this region.

中文翻译：

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赤道礁上的多品种珊瑚产卵事件和延长繁殖期

石珊瑚通常在同步产卵事件中繁殖，以最大限度地提高配子受精和珊瑚幼虫的产量。产卵同步的程度及其时间因珊瑚分类群和生物地理区域而异。然而，信息是有限的，特别是对于赤道珊瑚礁，阻碍了影响配子循环和产卵的环境线索的识别。为了调查帕劳配子成熟和产卵的时间及其与环境线索的关联，我们在 21 个月内监测了来自三个科的 11 种常见珊瑚物种的标记菌落。然后，我们将我们的发现与以前的可用信息相结合，以更广泛地总结帕劳已知的珊瑚产卵模式。结合之前的观察，我们的数据证实了帕劳珊瑚产卵季节延长，持续了 9 个月。一些珊瑚类群参与了同步的多特异性产卵活动，最大的发生在 4 月和 5 月。其他珊瑚分类群，包括蒙蒂波拉珊瑚，表现出种间和种内产卵的异步性。因此，与产卵模式相关的环境线索因物种而异。一年中最大的鹿角珊瑚产卵事件（3 月至 4 月）与最低的年度高潮和月平均海面温度约 29 °C 相关。Massive Porites 主要在 4 月和 5 月产卵，这与每月日照水平增加有关。Porites rus 于 6 月至 8 月产卵，与最长的月昼长有关。