Researchers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have documented male and female pillar corals spawning together in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This is a significant discovery because it was unclear if female pillar corals existed in Florida.
Diving off Key Largo, researchers witnessed male pillar coral colonies releasing clouds of milky sperm, followed by females within minutes discharging eggs. Unlike other stony corals, which produce both sperm and eggs, pillar corals form separate male and female colonies for reproduction.
