Temporal patterns in giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) spawning were compiled from 32 observations spanning 17 years and three Caribbean locations (Florida, Belize, and Haiti). The records were analyzed for patterns in seasonality, lunar periodicity, and diel rhythm to develop a predictive spawning window. Results indicate that spawning is concentrated from mid-April to late May. Most spawning events occurred around the first quarter moon; a smaller pulse occurred just before the third quarter moon. All spawning events were observed in the morning and fell within 779–987 min of the previous night’s sunset. Eggs of X. muta were all negatively buoyant and blanketed the areas within and surrounding the sponge; this limited gamete dispersal may be the driver behind heavily localized genetic retention.

中文翻译：

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巨型桶状海绵 Xestospongia muta 产卵的季节性、月球和昼夜模式

巨型桶状海绵 (Xestospongia muta) 产卵的时间模式是根据跨越 17 年和三个加勒比海地区（佛罗里达、伯利兹和海地）的 32 次观测汇编而成的。分析记录的季节性、月球周期和昼夜节律模式，以开发预测产卵窗口。结果表明，产卵集中在4月中旬至5月下旬。大多数产卵事件发生在上弦月前后；一个较小的脉冲出现在上弦月之前。所有产卵事件都是在早上观察到的，并在前一晚日落的 779-987 分钟内发生。X. muta 的卵都是负浮力的，覆盖了海绵内部和周围的区域；这种有限的配子扩散可能是高度局部遗传保留的驱动因素。