Distribution and reproduction of the temperate-specific morphotype of the coral Favites flexuosa in the subtropical region,Lyudao, Taiwan

Favites flexuosa is one of the abundant coral species in the temperate regions of Japan. Although the species ranges widely, from tropical to temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific, colonies of this species living in temperate areas exhibit specific morphological features (in terms of color and skeletal attributes). In addition, the temperate-specific morphotype is limited in distribution to the temperate regions of Japan and has not been recorded in subtropical Okinawa. In the present study, we recorded the temperate morphotype in subtropical Lyudao (Green Island), Taiwan, suggesting that the morphotype is more widely distributed than previously thought and may have colonized temperate Japan directly from Lyudao. We describe the first records of spawning at Lyudao, Taiwan, and also at Wakayama in temperate Japan. In laboratories located in either region, spawning was observed between 30?min and 1?h after sunset. Intraspecific crossing of morphotype samples from either region revealed that the fertilization rates were high (>90%). In addition, we crossed F. flexuosa with Diploastrea favus at Lyudao. The two species hybridized successfully although the fertilization rate was relatively low.