Timing of larval release by reef coral Pocillopora damicornis at Panjang Island, Central Java

Monthly larval release by the coral Pocillopora damicornis at Panjang Island, Central Java was investigated. Corals were collecte d from windward and leeward and maintained in outdoor, flow-trough system to qu antify nightly release of larvae. Larval release of the coral occurs every mo nth throughout the year, and its planulation increased during dry monsoon. Monthly planulation occurs from new moon to full moon and possesses in different patter n between single and paired colonies. Planulation in paired colonies occurred in single p eak and more synchronized in each colony however single colonies planulated in double peaks and less synchronized in each colony. This study co nfirmed that planulation period of P. damicornis at Panjang Island over a range of lunar phases wit h shorter periods of peak release which predominantly controlling by tidal range rather than lunar cycle.