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On the reproduction of the simultaneous hermaphrodite Paroriza prouhoi (Holothuroidea: Synallactidae) in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic

On the reproduction of the simultaneous hermaphrodite Paroriza prouhoi (Holothuroidea: Synallactidae) in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic
On the reproduction of the simultaneous hermaphrodite Paroriza prouhoi (Holothuroidea: Synallactidae) in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic
Long-term studies in the abyssal north-east Atlantic (1989–2005) have revealed large-scale changes in the benthic ecosystem and especially in some megafaunal invertebrate taxa over the period 1996–2002, termed the ‘Amperima Event’. Holothurians dominated the megafaunal samples. Temporal patterns in the abundance of holothurians showed a wide spectrum of responses, possibly related to the feeding and reproductive characteristics of the various species. One of the holothurians, the synallactid Paroriza prouhoi, is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, providing a distinct comparison with dioecious reproductive patterns more typical of deep-sea holothurian species. The reproductive biology and abundance/biomass patterns of P. prouhoi were investigated over the period 1989–2005. Paroriza prouhoi produces oocytes with a maximum diameter of ~370 µm. It has asynchronous patterns of gametogenesis both at the individual and population levels. Mean oocyte diameter and the ratio between previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes showed no significant differences between the periods prior to and after the Amperima Event. There were no significant differences in abundance or biomass over the time series. We conclude that the energy investment into gamete production by this hermaphrodite did not change over the 16 years examined. It is hypothesized that the feeding characteristics of P. prouhoi lead to a slow, steady and consistent production of gametes despite large-scale changes in organic matter supply to the seabed evident at the time series locality.
deep sea, holothurians, reproduction, hermaphrodite, temporal change, Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic
0025-3154
847-856
Kazanidis, Georgios
ede3bc13-9fb9-44e1-ab6e-3a0dc0c6f6d1
Tyler, Paul A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Billett, David S.M.
aab439e2-c839-4cd2-815c-3d401e0468db
Kazanidis, Georgios
ede3bc13-9fb9-44e1-ab6e-3a0dc0c6f6d1
Tyler, Paul A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Billett, David S.M.
aab439e2-c839-4cd2-815c-3d401e0468db

Kazanidis, Georgios, Tyler, Paul A. and Billett, David S.M. (2014) On the reproduction of the simultaneous hermaphrodite Paroriza prouhoi (Holothuroidea: Synallactidae) in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 94 (4), 847-856. (doi:10.1017/S0025315413001537).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Long-term studies in the abyssal north-east Atlantic (1989–2005) have revealed large-scale changes in the benthic ecosystem and especially in some megafaunal invertebrate taxa over the period 1996–2002, termed the ‘Amperima Event’. Holothurians dominated the megafaunal samples. Temporal patterns in the abundance of holothurians showed a wide spectrum of responses, possibly related to the feeding and reproductive characteristics of the various species. One of the holothurians, the synallactid Paroriza prouhoi, is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, providing a distinct comparison with dioecious reproductive patterns more typical of deep-sea holothurian species. The reproductive biology and abundance/biomass patterns of P. prouhoi were investigated over the period 1989–2005. Paroriza prouhoi produces oocytes with a maximum diameter of ~370 µm. It has asynchronous patterns of gametogenesis both at the individual and population levels. Mean oocyte diameter and the ratio between previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes showed no significant differences between the periods prior to and after the Amperima Event. There were no significant differences in abundance or biomass over the time series. We conclude that the energy investment into gamete production by this hermaphrodite did not change over the 16 years examined. It is hypothesized that the feeding characteristics of P. prouhoi lead to a slow, steady and consistent production of gametes despite large-scale changes in organic matter supply to the seabed evident at the time series locality.

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More information

Published date: June 2014
Keywords: deep sea, holothurians, reproduction, hermaphrodite, temporal change, Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic
Organisations: Ocean and Earth Science, Marine Biogeochemistry

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 366918
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/366918
ISSN: 0025-3154
PURE UUID: 33c692fa-4ac8-46e8-89ff-d019c1623a56

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Date deposited: 14 Jul 2014 15:58
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 17:19

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Contributors

Author: Georgios Kazanidis
Author: Paul A. Tyler
Author: David S.M. Billett

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