Management of scleractinian coral assemblages in temperate non-reefal areas: insights from a long-term monitoring study in Kushimoto, Japan (33°N)

In this era of global climate change, understanding fundamental mechanisms coral community maintenance and persistence in temperate non-reefal areas is a high marine conservation priority. To identify via larval supply, we monitored settlement over 12 years investigated the genetic population structure two major acroporid species at Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan (33°N). Between 8 30 artificial panel pairs were deployed from May or June to September, October, November each year. Recruits on scarce, especially those acroporids (0 < 1 recruit per pair most years). As cover Kushimoto area remained relatively decade, such low recruitment may be sufficient for communities region. addition, analysis using 10 microsatellite markers demonstrated differences between populations Acropora hyacinthus, which long-term resident area, A. muricata, recently arrived species. hyacinthus displayed higher numbers multilocus genotypes (41 43 samples collected) whereas only one genotype was seen muricata. This difference reflect both length time since establishment morphology. Consequently, are likely maintained by survival growth existing colonies and/or fragmentation, indicating that established corals should first priority ensure assemblages areas.