Larval precompetency and settlement behaviour in 25 Indo-Pacific coral species

What is the importance of the dataset/research? Here we provide data used to estimate the precompetency periods, the competency durations and larval settlement preferences for 25 coral taxa from the Great Barrier Reef. Knowledge of these early life history dynamics are fundamental to predicting reef recovery following disturbances and for describing population dynamics, biogepgraphy and species connectivity.

Why were the data collected? Time series data were collected to track larval settlement behaviour post spawning, through time, and in response to a number of potential settlement cues.

Where and when was the data set collected? The data were collected between November 2017 and February 2020, in the National Sea Simulator at AIMS, Townsville, during summer and autum coral spawning periods on the Great Barrier Reef.

How was it collected? Data were collected from replicated 24-36 hour settlement assays performed in 6-well plates with randomized settlement treatments, and maintained under standard light and tempreature conditions.

How are you interpreting or analysing the collected data? Data were analysed as per the uploaded html code file.