Are all eggs created equal? A case study from the Hawaiian reef-building coral Montipora capitata

摘要: Parental effects have been largely unexplored in marine organisms and may play a significant role dictating the phenotypic range of traits coral offspring, influencing their ability to survive environmental challenges. This study explored parental life-stage differences Hawaiian reef-building Montipora capitata from different environments by examining biochemical composition mature colonies eggs. Our results indicate that there are large between adults eggs, with latter containing higher concentration lipids (mostly wax esters), ubiquitinated proteins (which high turnover rate proteins) antioxidants (e.g., manganese superoxide dismutase). Adults displayed plasticity, corals high-light environment having more esters, lighter tissue δ13C signatures Symbiodinium densities than low-light who had content accessory pigments. A green-algal pigment (α-carotene) powerful antioxidant was present eggs; it is unclear whether this acquired heterotrophic food sources or endolithic green algae living adult skeletons. Despite broad plasticity adults, investment context provisioning energy reserves defense same eggs sites. Such equality maximizes capacity all embryos larvae cope challenging conditions associated floating at surface disperse successfully until an appropriate habitat for settlement found.