Sampling of Acropora cervicornis coral genotypes took place at Mote Marine Lab's spawning nurseries at Sand Key (24.45782, -81.88595) and Looe Key (24.56257, -81.40009). Primary fecundity analysis involved sampling corals with known disease susceptibility and/or resistance, measuring their size, and counting and analyzing their oocytes.

Sampling for Primary Fecundity Analysis:
On July 3, 2020, from 5 colonies of every genet, 3 linear branches (~10 cm in length) were sampled using bone cutters from the central portion of each colony (N=180 branches). Using a ruler, the number of polyps per one square centimeter was recorded from every branch near the base of the fragment (Polyps per Area dataset, https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/868308). The top ~2 cm (sterile zone) of every branch was removed before placing into a 50 mL falcon tube with 10% formalin to fix tissues. After 2 days, the formalin solutions were replaced with a 5% HCl solution, with every branch and tube triple rinsed with DI water in between to remove excess formalin. After 3 days, the 5% HCl solution in every tube was replaced with 10% HCl and subsequently refreshed every 2-3 days until branches were completely decalcified. Once decalcified, samples were triple rinsed in DI water and returned to their tubes with 70% EtOH for storage until dissection.

Dissections (this dataset):
Under a dissecting microscope, every fragment was dissected using scalpel and forceps to haphazardly select 5 polyps per fragment (N = 900 polyps) to count the total number of oocytes within each polyp (Oocyte Number Dataset, https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/867314). From those, 5 oocytes were randomly selected to measure their size under a compound microscope using an ocular micrometer to record the maximum diameter (length, d1) and its perpendicular diameter (width, d2). The volume of oocytes was calculated using the formula for a prolate ellipsoid: V= (4/3)*pi*(d1/2)*(d2/2)^2

Calibration factor: Oocytes were measured using a 10x ocular micrometer and 4x objective (total 40X) and a calibration factor was applied using the formula: V= (4/3)*pi*((d1/2)*250)*((d2/2)*250)^2 and converted to the units, mm3, for final values.

Problem report:
Genet 31: In the time between when the parental colonies were morphometrically assessed/sampled in the Sand Key nursery for the primary fecundity analysis and brought into the lab for spawning/sampled for the secondary fecundity analysis, the entire tree for genet 31 snapped off from its anchor and went missing. As such, 5 colonies of genet 31 were brought in from a different spawning nursery and location (Looe Key Nursery: 24.56257, -81.40009). Thus, the fecundity data obtained from the fragments and gamete bundles come from different subpopulations (fragments from Sand Key and gamete bundles from Looe Key).

oocyte_size.csv