Should Hybrids Be Used in Coral Nurseries? A Case Study Comparing Caribbean Acropora spp. and Their Hybrid in the Bahamas

For decades, coral reef ecosystems have been in decline due to environmental stressors such as rising sea temperatures, increased disease prevalence, and other local anthropogenic sources. Considering this decline, restoration efforts the Caribbean implemented promote recovery with a focus on genus Acropora. Current methods target threatened species Acropora cervicornis A. palmata , but little is known about potential of their hybrid taxon, prolifera . Using interspecific hybrids higher fitness than one or both parental has gained traction novel technique. study, three situ tree nurseries were established around Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas, compare growth survival among acroporid taxa. Three 150 mm fragments from six putative genotypes each taxa collected reefs New Providence, transported Cay June 2018. One fragment genotype was nursery site, cut into sections (apical, middle, basal), suspended PVC trees. Fragment monthly for 13 months, Total Linear Extension (TLE) values calculated 12 months. Nursery site significantly affected survival, while taxon section did not. mortality 29.3% first month ranged 0 5% rest study period until July 2019 (32.7% remaining died primarily at N1). Overall, greater species. Taxon, identified important factors affecting TLE. Apical N3 had greatest average linear months rate per month. This highlights rapid corals suggests that equivalent growth. Consequently, these results suggest managers may capitalize fast growing outplanting degraded increase scale projects.