Data from: Life-history traits of Tubastraea coccinea: reproduction, development, and larval competence

The sun coral Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 (Dendrophylliidae) is a
widely distributed shallow-water scleractinian that has extended its range
to non-native habitats in recent decades. With its rapid spread, this
coral is now one of the main invasive species in Brazil. Its high invasive
capability is related to opportunistic characteristics, including several
reproductive strategies that have allowed it to disperse rapidly and
widely. To better understand the reproductive biology of T. coccinea and
aid in developing management strategies for invaded areas, we investigated
aspects of its reproductive performance and life cycle, including the
effects of colony size, seawater temperature and salinity, and lunar
periodicity on offspring production and larval metamorphosis competence. A
total of 18,139 offspring were released in different developmental stages,
mainly from the larger colonies, which also produced larvae with longer
competence periods. The main reproductive peak occurred during the First
Quarter and New Moon phases and was highest in water temperatures around
26°C. Together, these results help to explain the rapid expansion of T.
coccinea into non-native habitats such as the Caribbean and southwestern
Atlantic, and will inform actions of the recent Brazilian National Plan
for the prevention, eradication, control, and monitoring of sun corals.