Description

This dataset contains gene expression and histological measurements used to examine how photoperiod and seawater temperature influence oocyte development in the coral Acropora tenuis. It includes oocyte size measurements (micrometers, μm) obtained using ImageJ and quantitative PCR data for key reproductive and signaling genes (Cq values), collected under controlled light and temperature conditions. Temperature logger data (degrees Celsius, °C) for all experimental periods are also provided. Together, these data support analyses demonstrating that oocyte growth and vitellogenesis are regulated by seasonal changes in day length and seawater temperature, offering insights into the timing of gametogenesis and spawning in A. tenuis from Okinawa, Japan.

File List and Descriptions

Photoperiod Experiment

01_Photoperiod_Exp._(Oocyte_diameter__RAW).csv

Measurements of oocyte diameter (µm) under 10h, 12h, and 14h light conditions. Each oocyte was measured along two axes: Length, representing the maximum oocyte dimension, and Width, representing the dimension perpendicular to the maximum length. The oocyte diameter was not calculated in this dataset. To derive a standardized estimate of oocyte size, users should calculate the geometric mean of the two measurements: for example, R script, data$diameter <- sqrt(data$Length * data$Width).

02_Photoperiod_Exp._qPCR_RAW_Cq_values.csv

Raw Cq values from qPCR assays conducted on coral samples exposed to different photoperiod treatments. The dataset includes both biological and technical replicates. Each gene is represented as a separate column: Vasa, Piwi, VG1, VG2, LDLR1, and two housekeeping genes (β-actin and ef1a). No normalization has been applied to these data. Users can calculate relative expression using the ΔΔCq method, normalized to housekeeping genes (β-actin or ef1a).

03_Photoperiod_Exp.temperature_logger(10h_tank).csv

Time-stamped seawater temperature recordings (°C) collected from the experimental tank maintained under a 10-hour light photoperiod. Data were logged at 2-hour intervals using a HOBO data logger throughout the entire experimental period to monitor thermal conditions and ensure consistency among treatments. These values can be used to verify temperature stability and to compare environmental conditions across tanks in related files.

04_Photoperiod_Exp.temperature_logger(12h_tank).csv

Same as above, for the 12-hour light treatment.

05_Photoperiod_Exp.temperature_logger(14h_tank).csv

Same as above, for the 14-hour light treatment.

Seawater Temperature Experiment Phase 1

06_SWT_Exp.1(Oocyte_diameter_RAW).csv

Measurements of oocyte diameter (µm) under 21°C, 25°C, and 29°C SWT conditions. Each oocyte was measured along two axes: Length, representing the maximum oocyte dimension, and Width, representing the dimension perpendicular to the maximum length. The oocyte diameter was not calculated in this dataset. To derive a standardized estimate of oocyte size, users should calculate the geometric mean of the two measurements: for example, R script, data$diameter <- sqrt(data$Length * data$Width).

07_SWT_Exp._1_qPCR_RAW_Cq_values.csv

Raw Cq values from qPCR assays conducted on coral samples exposed to different seawater temperature treatments. The dataset includes both biological and technical replicates. Each gene is represented as a separate column: Vasa, Piwi, VG1, VG2, LDLR1, and two housekeeping genes (β-actin and ef1a). No normalization has been applied to these data. Users can calculate relative expression using the ΔΔCq method, normalized to housekeeping genes (β-actin or ef1a).

08_SWT_Exp._1_temperature_logger_21_degree_tank.csv

Time-stamped seawater temperature recordings (°C) collected from the experimental tank maintained under a 21°C. Data were logged at 1-hour intervals using a HOBO data logger throughout the entire experimental period to monitor thermal conditions and ensure consistency among treatments. These values can be used to verify temperature stability and to compare environmental conditions across tanks in related files.

09_SWT_Exp._1_temperature_logger_25_degree_tank.csv

Same as above, for the 25°C tank.

10_SWT_Exp._1_temperature_logger_29_degree_tank.csv

Same as above, for the 29°C tank.

Seawater Temperature Experiment Phase 2

11_SWT_Exp.2(Oocyte_diameter_RAW).csv

Measurements of oocyte diameter (µm) under 21°C, 25°C, and 29°C SWT conditions. Each oocyte was measured along two axes: Length, representing the maximum oocyte dimension, and Width, representing the dimension perpendicular to the maximum length. The oocyte diameter was not calculated in this dataset. To derive a standardized estimate of oocyte size, users should calculate the geometric mean of the two measurements: for example, R script, data$diameter <- sqrt(data$Length * data$Width).

12_SWT_Exp._2_qPCR_RAW_Cq_values.csv

Raw Cq values from qPCR assays conducted on coral samples exposed to different seawater temperature treatments. The dataset includes both biological and technical replicates. Each gene is represented as a separate column: VG1, VG2, LDLR1, Mos1, Mos2, Mos3, Mapk1, Mapk2, Hist2B, and two housekeeping genes (β-actin and ef1a). No normalization has been applied to these data. Users can calculate relative expression using the ΔΔCq method, normalized to housekeeping genes (β-actin or ef1a).

13_SWT_Exp._2_temperature_logger_21_degree_tank.csv

Time-stamped seawater temperature recordings (°C) collected from the experimental tank maintained under a 21°C. Data were logged at 1-hour intervals using a HOBO data logger throughout the entire experimental period to monitor thermal conditions and ensure consistency among treatments. These values can be used to verify temperature stability and to compare environmental conditions across tanks in related files.

14_SWT_Exp._2_temperature_logger_25_degree_tank.csv

Same as above, for the 25°C tank.

15_SWT_Exp._2_temperature_logger_29_degree_tank.csv

Same as above, for the 29°C tank.

Statistical Analysis and Scripts

16_Statistical_Data_Analysis.xlsx

This file contains summary statistics and results from hypothesis testing performed on oocyte diameter and gene expression across all experiments. Analyses include ANOVA, blocked-ANOVA, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, followed by post hoc pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05 considered significant). Statistically different groups are indicated by different letters or symbols (*).

17_Rscript_statistics.xlsx

This file contains the R scripts used to conduct statistical analyses for this study, including assumption testing, the execution of ANOVA, blocked-ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and post hoc comparisons.

Notes

• Oocyte diameter is measured in micrometers (µm).
• Temperature is recorded in degrees Celsius (°C).
• Cq values come from qPCR using SYBR Green chemistry.
• Missing or failed data are marked as NA.