Hermaphroditism and brooding in the solitary coralbalanophyllia Europaea(Cnidaria, anthozoa, scleractinia)

Simultaneous hermaphroditism and brooding were observed in the solitary coral Balanophyllia europaea at Calafuria (Leghorn, Italy), in a phase of its reproductive cycle. This is the first report of hermaphroditism in Balanophyllia. Individuals of different sizes were collected in April 1997 and reared in laboratory for two months. Histological analysis showed the presence of immature and mature clusters of male gametes, vitellogenic oocytes and embryos at different stages of development. Early stages of embryogenesis were observed. Periblastulae were found free in the coelenteron. Developing embryos, already colonised by zoo‐xanthellae, were localised in the interseptal spaces or in the mesenteries.