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First record of Cassis tuberosa spawning in the wild (north-east Brazil)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2015

Thelma Lúcia Pereira Dias  and
Ellori Laíse Silva Mota
Thelma Lúcia Pereira Dias*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Laboratório de Biologia Marinha (LBMar), Departamento de Biologia, Campus I, Rua Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
Ellori Laíse Silva Mota
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Laboratório de Biologia Marinha (LBMar), Departamento de Biologia, Campus I, Rua Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: T.L.P. Dias, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Departamento de Biologia, Campus I, Rua Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Spawning of Cassis tuberosa is recorded and described for the first time, based on observations carried out in the Tamandaré reefs, north-eastern Brazil. The specimen was laying over gravel substrate surrounded by macroalgae at a depth of 2 m. Cassis tuberosa uses an algal frond of the genus Padina to lay its eggs. The oothecae consists of approximately 200 vasiform capsules, orange in colour. The spawn of Cassis tuberosa is quite similar to that produced by its congener, Cassis madagascariensis; however, Cassis tuberosa spawns in the soft substrate provided by algal fronds while Cassis madagascariensis utilizes coarse, carbonate sand. Considering that Cassis tuberosa is the target of multiple commercial purposes, to expand our knowledge about its biology could contribute towards protecting the essential habitat of reproductively active individuals.

Keywords

egg layingalgal frondsking helmetTamandaré reefs
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 8 , 2015 , e130
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015 

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References

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