In gonochoric coral species, what is the main difference compared to hermaphroditic species?

In gonochoric coral species, the primary distinction is that these corals have separate male and female colonies. This means that individual colonies are either male or female, and they rely on cross-fertilization between different colonies to reproduce. This method of reproduction can be advantageous as it promotes genetic diversity within the population, enhancing resilience and adaptability to environmental changes.

In contrast, hermaphroditic corals possess both male and female reproductive organs in the same colony, allowing them to self-fertilize or cross-fertilize with other colonies of the same species. The differences in reproductive strategies between gonochoric and hermaphroditic species are critical in understanding coral population dynamics and their strategies for survival and reproduction in various marine environments.

The other options present aspects of coral reproduction that do not accurately describe the fundamental nature of gonochoric species. For example, producing bundles of gametes or spawning multiple times a year can occur in both gonochoric and hermaphroditic corals and are not exclusive to one type. The assertion that gonochoric species do not reproduce at all is false, as they do reproduce, but their method relies on having distinct male and female colonies.