The reproductive biology of the deep-sea asteroids Benthopecten simplex (Perrier), Pectinaster filholi Perrier, and Pontaster tenuispinus Düben & Koren (phanerozonia : benthopectinidae) from the rockall trough

1982 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Pain ◽  
P.A. Tyler ◽  
J.D. Gage
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Rockall Trough

The Reproductive Biology of Ophiacantha Bidentata (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) From The Rockall Trough

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
J. D. Gage
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Direct Development ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Arctic Seas ◽  
Rockall Trough

INTRODUCTIONOphiacantha bidentata (Retzius) is a widespread arctic-boreal ophiuroid with a circumpolar distribution in the shallow waters of the Arctic seas and penetrating into the deep sea of the.North Atlantic and North Pacific (Mortensen, 1927, 1933a; D'yakonov, 1954). Early observations of this species were confined to defining zoogeo-graphical and taxonomic criteria including the separation of deep water specimens as the variety fraterna (Farran, 1912; Grieg, 1921; Mortensen, 1933a). Mortensen (1910) and Thorson (1936, pp. 18–26) noted the large eggs (o.8 mm diameter) in specimens from Greenland and Thorson (1936) proposed that this species had ‘big eggs rich in yolk, shed directly into the sea. Much reduced larval stage or direct development’. This evidence is supported by observations of O. bidentata from the White and Barents Seas (Semenova, Mileikovsky & Nesis, 1964; Kaufman, 1974)..

Studies of a benthic time series: reproductive biology of benthic invertebrates in the Rockall Trough

1986 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
Reproductive Patterns ◽  
Rockall Trough ◽  
Protandric Hermaphroditism

SynopsisThe reproductive biology of a wide variety of deep-sea echinoderms from the northeast Atlantic has been examined. Time series samples of asteroids, ophiuroids, echinoids and holothurians are available from Station “M” and the Scottish Marine Biological Association's Permanent Station in the Rockall Trough and from opportunistic sampling in other areas of the northern Rockall Trough. Examination of these time series samples has established three main reproductive patterns in these taxa and one example of protandric hermaphroditism. The dominant reproductive pattern is the aperiodic production of relatively few large eggs usually in excess of 600μm diameter. Although the oogenic pattern is similar in most of these species, the follicle cell distribution and breakdown of relict oocytes vary considerably, particularly at family level. A second reproductive pattern is the production of numerous small eggs c. 100μm diameter, indicative of planktotrophic development. The five species exhibiting this pattern show intra- and interspecific synchrony of egg production with a proliferation of young oocytes in February to April of each year, vitellogenesis during summer and autumn and a synchronous spawnout in January–April of each year. In the apparent constant conditions of the deep sea, this synchrony of reproduction is related to the rapid descent of surface primary production. Two rarer reproductive patterns observed are the production of intermediate sized eggs (c. 300–400μm diameter) suggesting the formation of a lecithotrophic larva, and lastly a single case of protandric hermaphroditism, and the subsequent production of a large egg. In none of the species examined have we found any evidence of brooding. The variation in the reproductive pattern of individual species is discussed in relation to the constancy of the physico-chemical environment of the deep-sea.

Reproductive strategies and diet in deep-sea nuculanid protobranchs (Bivalvia: Nuculoidea) from the Rockall Trough

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
R. Harvey ◽  
L. A. Giles ◽  
J. D. Gage
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Rockall Trough

The reproductive biology of Plutonaster Bifrons, Dytaster Insigns and Psilaster Andromeda (Asteroidea: Astropectinidae) from the Rockall Trough

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-887
Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
S. L. Pain
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Reproductive Synchrony ◽  
Sea Bed ◽  
Rockall Trough ◽  
Sperm Development ◽  
Surface Production

Examination of the reproductive biology of three closely related sympatric astropectinid asteroidshas revealed two distinct reproductive strategies. In Plutonaster bifrons and Dytaster insignis the gonads are serially arranged and open at gonopores located at the tip of genital papillae found on the dorsal arm surface between the bases of the paxillae. The ovaries of these species produce numerous small (ca. 120/«n diameter) eggs which in Plutonaster bifrons appear to show a distinct synchrony of production. Initiation of gametogenesis occurs in June to August of each year with oocyte growthcontinuing until March with a spawn-out in the period March to early June. In specimens where spawningdoesnot occur, there would appear to be internal oocyte degeneration, or after spawning relict oocytesundergo phagocytosis. In males initiation of spermatogenesis may occur in August/September of eachyear but after this synchrony of sperm development is not evident. In Psilaster andromeda gonads are located at the base of the arms and each gonad opens at a single gonopore. A number of small (<300 /«n) oocytes are produced by each gonad. Some of these are phagocytosed and some undergo vitellogenesis and grow to a maximum size of 950 fim before being spawned. Unspent oocytes undergo internal degeneration. In neither females nor males is there any evidence of reproductive synchrony. From these egg sizes, fecundities and gametogenic strategies, we infer indirect planktotrophic development for Plutonaster bifrons, the transfer of a seasonal surface production to deep water providing a food source for developing larvae. The egg size and or close to the sea-bed, as there is no evidence of brooding in this species.

Reproductive biology of two deep-water sharks from the British Isles, Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centrophorus squamosus (Chondrichthyes: Squalidae)

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Girard ◽  
Marie-Henriette Du Buit
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Sexual Stage ◽  
British Isles ◽  
The West ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
First Maturity ◽  
Size At First Maturity

The reproductive biology of two aplacental viviparous deep sea sharks, Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centrophorus squamosus has been studied from 1735 and 675 specimens respectively, collected with bottom trawls between 600 and 1400 m depth off the west coast of the British Isles. A macroscopic maturity scale indicates that for both species, size at first maturity is greater in females than in males. In Centroscymnus coelolepis, genital maturity occurs at an average length of ∼86 cm for males and ∼102 cm for females. In Centrophorus squamosus, males are mature near 98 cm and females near 124 cm total length (TL). Smallest juveniles of both species are absent from catches: no specimens of Centroscymnus coelolepis shorter than 58 cm, nor specimens of Centrophorus squamosus shorter than 84 cm have been recorded. Ovarian fecundity is higher in Centroscymnus coelolepis than in Centrophorus squamosus. A maternal supply has been demonstrated for Centroscymnus coelolepis. Litter size has been estimated only in C. coelolepis because no pregnant females of Centrophorus squamosus were recovered. A dwarf embryo and a pair of twins have been observed. Segregation by sexual stage of development shows that immatures are generally found at greater depths than adults.

The reproductive biology of deep-sea forcipulate seastars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata) from the N.E. Atlantic Ocean

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
S. L. Pain ◽  
J. D. Gage ◽  
D. S. M. Billett
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Oocyte Diameter ◽  
Interspecific Variations ◽  
Egg Diameter

Samples of the deep-sea forcipulate seastars Brisinga endecacnemos, Brisingella coronata, Freyella spinosa and Zoroaster fulgens have been collected at a number of stations in the N.E. Atlantic. Examination of their reproductive biology suggests subtle interspecific variations in their gametogenic cycles. The gonads of Brisinga endecacnemos are serially arranged under the dorsal arm surface, each cluster of gonad tubules having its own gonopore. In the closely related Brisingella coronata each gonad consists of up to 12 elongate tubules opening at a single gonopore at the dorsal surface. In both species the maximum egg diameter is about 1250 μm and fecundity may be up to 60000 eggs per individual. It appears that the eggs in Brisinga endecacnemos are produced in clusters whilst those of Brisingella coronata are produced continuously. InFreyella spinosa the gonad consists of a small tubular sac analogous to a single tubule of Brisinga endecacnemos. Maximum fecundity is only 2500 eggs per individual, and the maximum egg size is 1250 μm. In all three species eggs that are not spawned undergo internal oocyte degeneration. The gonads of Zoroaster fulgens show the typical asteroid configuration of two at the base of each arm, one either side of the ambulacrum. The maximum oocyte diameter is 950 μm. There is some evidence that there may be a seasonality of reproduction in this species. In all four species examined the large egg size and relatively low fecundity suggest direct demersal development with the subtle variations in their reproductive biology reflecting slightly different breeding habits.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document