Post-settlement mortality and growth of newly settled reef corals in a subtropical environment

Abstract

There are few studies of post-settlement mortality of newly settled corals, particularly on subtropical reefs. This study examined the mortality and growth of spat of three broadcast spawning coral species at the Solitary Islands, eastern Australia (30°S). Mortality of spat was high, with only 0.2–2.8% surviving their first year of life. Growth was slow, with coral spat achieving a maximum diameter of 2 mm after 8 months. High post-settlement mortality and slow growth rates are likely to contribute to low rates of recruitment of broadcast spawning species at the Solitary Islands.