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).

Samples for this dataset were obtained during the sampling for Primary Fecundity Analysis of Acropora cervicornis 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 square centimeter was recorded from every branch near the base of the fragment (see 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 coral fragment was dissected using a scalpel and forceps to haphazardly select 5 polyps per fragment (N = 900 polyps) to count the total number of oocytes within each polyp (this dataset). 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. 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 of cubed millimeters (mm³) for final values.

(see Oocyte Size Dataset for additional details: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/843067)

oocyte_number.csv