A synchronized reproductive event in which many coral species on a reef release their eggs and sperm into the water within the same narrow window, often just once a year, typically triggered by the combination of water temperature, the lunar cycle and the timing of sunset. The Great Barrier Reef's mass spawning, usually a few nights after the November or December full moon, turns the water above the reef cloudy with billions of released gametes in a single, brief, reef-wide event.
Facts
PeriodicityOccurs once a year, triggered by the combination of the lunar cycle and water temperature. 1 ScaleOn the Great Barrier Reef, forty-nine coral species take part in the synchronized mass spawning event, while eighty-four other species spawn separately elsewhere in their range. 2 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceResembles an underwater blizzard, with billions of colorful egg and sperm bundles in white, yellow, red and orange cascading through the water. 1 Connections
Demonstrated By
The mass coral spawning event at Ningaloo Reef each year is timed with the arrival of whale sharks that feed on the resulting plankton bloom.
Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sources
1. Coral Spawning - NOAA's National Ocean Service
paragraph 2, sentence 1 on the annual lunar and temperature cue
Once a year, on cues from the lunar cycle and the water temperature, entire colonies of coral reefs simultaneously release their tiny eggs and sperm, called gametes, into the ocean.
paragraph 2, sentence 2 describing the visual effect
The phenomenon brings to mind an underwater blizzard with billions of colorful flakes cascading in white, yellow, red, and orange.
View the Source2. Great Barrier Reef - Wikipedia
Ecology sectionQuote, Ecology section
Forty-nine species mass spawn, while eighty-four other species spawn elsewhere in their range.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationDemonstrated By: Ningaloo ReefView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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