The development of oocytes from fragmented soft corals, Sarcophyton crassocaule in Gosong Pramuka, Seribu Islands, Jakarta

Abstract

Abstract. Kawaroe M, Nisa VC, Winarto A. 2015. The development of oocytes from fragmented soft corals, Sarcophyton crassocaule in Gosong Pramuka, Seribu Islands, Jakarta. Bonorowo Wetlands 5: 21-28. The aim of this research was to observe the development of oocytes on fragmented and natural soft coral, Sarcophyton crassocaule, including examining the number and size of gametes from fragmented and non-fragmented (nature) soft corals, as well as examining the effect of different depths of planting fragments of soft corals on reproductive ability. Coral sampling was randomized by cutting the body parts of each soft coral colony. A total of 72 colonies were collected, consisting of 24 colonies of soft coral fragments from 3 m depths, 24 colonies of soft coral fragments from 12 m depth, and 24 natural soft coral colonies (non-fragmentation). Sampling is done when the fragmentation age reaches 8 and 10 months based on the Qomariah calendar. Histologic preparations were prepared by the paraffin method to cut coral’s soft tissue (± 5 ?m) and stain them with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Observations on 72 soft coral colonies showed that all colonies contained female gametes. Female and male gametes are separated into different branches of the colony, indicating that the type of sexuality is gonochoric. Development of soft coral fragmentation at depths of 3 m and 10 m shows no significant difference. This finding is helpful for businessmen to choose the most economical depth between 3 m and 10 m to produce soft coral on a large scale.