Dataset: Acer Fecundity Colony Size and Morphometrics

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).  Ten replicate adult colonies from 12 genets were assessed for colony size and fecundity.  

Colony Size (this dataset) sampling details:
Total Population
12 genets with 10 replicate adult colonies each (N=120 colonies), Sand Key location.
White-band disease resistant genets: 3, 7; White-band disease susceptible genets: 1, 13, 31, 34, 41, 44, 47, 50, 62, 63, according to Muller et al. 2018 eLife (see Disease Susceptibility table below in Supplemental Files).

Genets 62 and 63 were later determined to be clonal so data were combined for analysis. 

Morphometric Assessment
On July 2, 2020, the dimensions of length, width, and height (L x W x H) in centimeters were measured.  Health condition was assessed and recorded for all 120 colonies, with the following rankings: 
     1 = completely healthy
     2 = partial mortality
     3 = not expected to survive
     4 = dead or missing. 

The size of colonies was calculated using the volume formula for an ellipsoid where EV=4/3*pi*L*W*H (Kiel thesis, 2012)
The corrected volume was calculated using a modified formula based on Kiel et al. (2012) where EV= 4/3*pi*L/2*H/2*W/2.   

Population Subset:
A subset of 5 colonies from each genet that were healthy (condition ‘1’) and similar in size were selected to be sampled (on July 3, 2020) for the Primary Fecundity analysis.  Sampled colonies have a date of sampling listed.  Those without dates were not sampled.

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).

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Additional sampling details (Related datasets)
(Please refer to the Related Datasets section below for links to datasets related to Sampling for Primary Fecundity Analyses, Dissections, and Sampling for Secondary Fecundity Analyses.  The Sampling details are listed below, but please see the individual dataset pages for additional information):   

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: 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 (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.  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, https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/843067and Oocyte Number dataset, https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/867314).

Sampling for Secondary Fecundity Analysis: As a secondary assessment of fecundity, 5 replicate colonies of every genet were brought back to the lab on July 31, 2020 for spawning and ex situ assisted sexual reproduction. From every genet that spawned during August 4-10, 2020 (all of them), 40 random gamete bundles were collected during spawning using a transfer pipet and 50 mL falcon tube. Each bundle was immediately placed into a 2 mL glass vial with 10% formalin for fixation and inverted several times to break up the bundle in each vial. Then, the total number of oocytes and sperm per bundle were counted. Eggs were counted by eye by 2 independent observers. Replicate sperm counts were recorded using a hemocytometer.  (Gamete Bundle Dataset, https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/868493)