Information on coral reproductive biology and coral spawning times is
crucial to advance basic and applied research and inform strategies for
coral reef conservation and restoration. Important efforts have been
made to collate coral spawning times and reproductive patterns in global
and regional datasets. Here, we report and document the first in situ spawning of Pavona maldivensis
Gardiner, 1905, observed in the Red Sea. A medium size colony was
observed releasing sperm on the full moon night on 23 May 2024, at
sunset time. Our observations suggest that the widespread Indo-Pacific P. maldivensis is likely gonochoric. This first report on the in situ spawning timing for P. maldivensis
contributes to expanding coral spawning databases and provides valuable
data on its reproductive biology, which is relevant for coral
restoration and conservation efforts.