Sterols are key to coral larvae survival, swimming capacity, and thermal tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Corals at very early life stages face high mortality bottlenecks, limiting natural stock-recruitment and the success of restoration and aquaculture strategies reliant on sexual reproduction. Nutrient availability and quality, particularly lipids, are critical for larval survival, dispersal, and settlement, yet the specific lipids influencing early-stage fitness remain unclear. Since measuring lipid depletion in non-surviving larvae is impractical, we developed a targeted supplementation approach to identify nutrients that enhance larval fitness. Supplementing Acropora spathulata larvae with nanoparticle-encapsulated triacylglycerols and sterols significantly improved swimming distance and speed, indicating enhanced dispersal potential. Supplementation with sterols, which are essential for

SUBMITTER: Matthews JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12550023 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature