Science

Spawning coral release quintillions of eggs each year, new calculations suggest

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Briefings

Recent calculations indicate that coral species release massive quantities of gametes annually, with estimates suggesting up to 500 trillion eggs per individual. This spawning event occurs once per year, synchronized to lunar phases, and involves the mixing of sperm and eggs by ocean currents. The study, published in October 2026, provides a quantitative update on this biological process, though the exact magnitude of the total global output remains uncertain due to the lack of direct measurement. The research highlights the scale of reproductive effort despite the small size of individual coral colonies.

Key points

• Coral species release up to 500 trillion eggs annually, calculated from the number of colonies multiplied by the estimated number of eggs per individual.
• Spawning events occur once per year and are synchronized to specific lunar phases, with currents responsible for mixing the gametes.

Context and limitations

The study relies on indirect calculations rather than direct observation, limiting the precision of the total egg count. Data collection methods may have gaps, and the specific species studied are not fully identified, restricting the generalizability of the findings.

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