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Reproductive biology of the holothurian Holothuria forskali (Echinodermata)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Ambo Tuwo
Affiliation:
Université de Bretagne Occidentale, URA C.N.R.S. 1513, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Biologique, Faculte des Sciences, 29287 Brest Cedex, France
Chantal Conand
Affiliation:
Université de Bretagne Occidentale, URA C.N.R.S. 1513, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Biologique, Faculte des Sciences, 29287 Brest Cedex, France

Extract

The aspidochirote Holothuria forskali is a large common species found in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its reproductive cycle has been determined in a population from Brittany using histological observations of the different classes of gonadal tubules, oocyte size frequencies and evolution of gonad indices. The cycle is annual and synchronous in both sexes. The different phases are well marked and are characterized by a long maturation during summer and autumn followed by a pre-spawning period during winter. Spawning is probably related to the increase in temperature. Most of the mature gametes are released. The resorption of the relict and spent tubules continues during the onset of the next vitellogenesis in the secondary tubules, without a rest period. The reproductive effort, documented from the gonad indices, is very high in this population which is composed of adult individuals.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1992

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