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Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Temporal and spatial differences in the reproductive biology of the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii

Lucia Epherra A D , Damián G. Gil B C , Tamara Rubilar A , Soledad Perez-Gallo B C , M. Belén Reartes B C and Javier A. Tolosano B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT – CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn (9120), Chubut, Argentina.

B Instituto de Desarrollo Costero, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Ciudad Universitaria, Comodoro Rivadavia (9000), Chubut, Argentina.

C Departamento de Biología General, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales (FCN – UNPSJB), Ciudad Universitaria, Comodoro Rivadavia (9000), Chubut, Argentina.

D Corresponding author. Email: epherra@cenpat.edu.ar

Marine and Freshwater Research 66(4) 329-342 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14080
Submitted: 26 March 2014  Accepted: 14 June 2014   Published: 26 November 2014

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of Arbacia dufresnii was studied in two contrasting populations on the eastern coast of Patagonia (Nuevo Gulf and San Jorge Gulf) from January 2008 to August 2010. Sea urchins from San Jorge Gulf had larger test diameter and heavier gonads than did sea urchins from Nuevo Gulf. A. dufresnii showed an annual cycle in both populations, with gametogenesis occurring mainly in the autumn and the winter. An extended spawning period took place during the spring and the summer. Sea urchins from Nuevo Gulf had a strong seasonal pattern of reproduction, with presence of gonadal stages showing re-absortion and accumulation of reserves in nutritive cells at different seasons, whereas individuals from San Jorge Gulf had mature gametes during most of the year. Interannual variation of seawater temperature affected the gamete production and spawning duration in both populations. Higher temperatures during gametogenesis enhanced gonadal growth and gametes were released early. The major population differences found in gonadal cell composition highlight the plasticity in reproductive traits of A. dufresnii, and may be responsible for the wide distribution of A. dufresnii in different environments.

Additional keywords: Echinoidea, gametogenic cycle, nutritive phagocytes, Patagonia.


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