Data from: The life cycle of the Acropora coral-eating flatworm (AEFW), Prosthiostomum acroporae

Abstract [Related Publication]: As coral aquaculture is increasing around the world for reef restoration and trade, mitigating the impact of coral predators, pathogens and parasites is necessary for optimal growth. The Acropora coral-eating flatworm (AEFW), Prosthiostomum acroporae (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Prosthiostomidae) feeds on wild and cultivated Acropora species and its inadvertent introduction into reef tanks can lead to the rapid death of coral colonies. To guide the treatment of infested corals we investigated the flatworm’s life cycle parameters at a range of temperatures that represent those found in reef tanks, coral aquaculture facilities and seasonal fluctuations in the wild. We utilized P. acroporae from a long-term in vivo culture on Acropora species to examine the effects of temperature (3°C increments from 21 to 30°C) on flatworm embryonation period, hatching success, hatchling longevity, and time to sexual maturity. Our findings show that warmer seawater shortened generation times; at 27°C it took, on average, 11 days for eggs to hatch, and 35 days for flatworms to reach sexual maturity, giving a minimum generation time of 38 days, whereas at 24°C the generation time was 64 days. Warmer seawater (24–30°C) also increased egg hatching success compared to cooler conditions (21°C). These results indicate that warmer temperatures lead to higher population densities of P. acroporae. Temperature significantly increased the growth rate of P. acroporae, with individuals reaching a larger size at sexual maturity in warmer temperatures, but it did not influence hatchling longevity. Hatchlings, which can swim as well as crawl, can survive between 0.25 and 9 days in the absence of Acropora, and could therefore disperse between coral colonies and inter-connected aquaria. We used our data to predict embryonation duration and time to sexual maturity at 21–30°C, and discuss how to optimize current treatments to disrupt the flatworm’s life cycle in captivity.The full methodology is available in the Open Access publication from the Related Publications link below.

摘要【相关出版物】：随着全球范围内用于珊瑚礁修复与贸易的珊瑚养殖业不断扩张，为实现珊瑚的最优生长，亟需有效减轻珊瑚天敌、病原体及寄生虫带来的危害。鹿角珊瑚食性扁形虫（AEFW），即*Prosthiostomum acroporae*（扁形动物门：多肠目：前口扁形虫科），以野生及养殖的鹿角珊瑚属物种为食，若不慎引入珊瑚礁水族箱，可导致珊瑚群落快速死亡。为指导受侵染珊瑚的防治工作，本研究针对涵盖珊瑚礁水族箱、珊瑚养殖设施及野生环境季节性波动温度的多个温度梯度，探究了该扁形虫的生命周期参数。本研究利用长期在鹿角珊瑚属物种上活体培养的*P. acroporae*，探究了温度（21℃至30℃，每3℃为一个增量梯度）对该扁形虫卵的胚胎发育时长、孵化成功率、幼体存活时长以及性成熟时间的影响。研究结果显示，海水温度升高会缩短世代周期：在27℃条件下，该扁形虫的卵平均需11天即可孵化，扁形虫达到性成熟需35天，最短世代周期为38天；而在24℃条件下，世代周期为64天。相较于低温环境（21℃），较高温度区间（24℃至30℃）内该扁形虫的卵孵化成功率也有所提升。上述结果表明，温度升高会提升*P. acroporae*的种群密度。温度显著提升了*P. acroporae*的生长速率，在温度较高的条件下，个体在性成熟时体型更大，但温度对幼体存活时长无显著影响。该扁形虫幼体既能游动也可爬行，在无鹿角珊瑚供给的情况下可存活0.25至9天，因此可在珊瑚群落之间以及互联的水族养殖设施间扩散。本研究利用实验数据预测了21℃至30℃下的胚胎发育时长与性成熟时间，并探讨了如何优化当前的防治手段，以在人工养殖环境中打断该扁形虫的生命周期。完整的实验方法可通过下方相关出版物链接指向的开放获取出版物查阅。