Brooding and parthenogenesis enhance the success of the coral, Porites astreoides relative to Orbicella annularis

This data set includes microsatellite genotypes for the corals Porites astreoides and Orbicella annularis collected off the south shore of St. John, US Virgin Islands. Samples were collected from 4 sites from both species and a fifth site for Porites astreoides in which maternal colonies and their brooded larvae were collected. In addition, long-term data collected from 1987 - 2024 on patterns of percent cover change, settlement and abundance of small corals for these two species are presented from the same coastline along the south shore of St. John.

Methods
Coral tissue samples were collected along a 50 m transect for both species at four sites and within a 10 x 5 m area for Porites astreoides maternal colonies, surrounding colonies and larvae.  Samples DNA was extracted and amplified with microsatellite loci.  Genotypes were analyzed with Genieous Prime software.  Long-term population data was collected via photographs (percent cover), settlement plates (settlement) and in-situ surveys of small corals.