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Reproductive biology of the intertidal sea cucumber Actinopyga mauritiana in the Solomon Islands
Citation
Ramofafia, C and Byrne, M and Battaglene, SC, Reproductive biology of the intertidal sea cucumber Actinopyga mauritiana in the Solomon Islands, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 81, (3) pp. 523-531. ISSN 0025-3154 (2001) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1017/S0025315401004179
Abstract
Over a four year period, gonad index, examination of gonad tubules, and histology were used to study the reproduction in the sea cucumber Actinopyga mauritiana. This species reproduced annually during the warmer months of the year in Solomon Islands. This annual reproductive cycle progressed through five maturity stages: recovery, growing, mature, partly-spawned and spent. The recovery stage (March-May) was marked by initiation of gametogenesis and coincided with decreasing day length. The growing stage (June-September) was characterized by development of gametes through to the mature stage (October-December). Spawning occurred October through December and coincided with increased water temperature and day length. Spent gonads (January-March) contained a few unspawned gametes or completely lacked gametes. Although A. mauritiana had annual reproduction, individuals lacking or having indeterminate gonads were present year-round. Macroscopic examination of gonad tubules after biopsy provides a practical tool for assessing maturity condition of broodstock in the field during the reproductive season.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Zoology |
Research Field: | Invertebrate biology |
Objective Division: | Animal Production and Animal Primary Products |
Objective Group: | Fisheries - wild caught |
Objective Field: | Fisheries - wild caught not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Battaglene, SC (Associate Professor Stephen Battaglene) |
ID Code: | 22784 |
Year Published: | 2001 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 17 |
Deposited By: | TAFI - Marine Research Laboratory |
Deposited On: | 2001-08-01 |
Last Modified: | 2002-05-10 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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