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Reproductive biology of the abyssal holothurian Amperima rosea: an opportunistic response to variable flux of surface derived organic matter?

Reproductive biology of the abyssal holothurian Amperima rosea: an opportunistic response to variable flux of surface derived organic matter?
Reproductive biology of the abyssal holothurian Amperima rosea: an opportunistic response to variable flux of surface derived organic matter?
A radical change in the abundance of invertebrate megafauna has occurred over a vast area of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic, in recent years. In particular, the holothurian Amperima rosea has increased in abundance by three orders of magnitude. The sudden increase in abundance of A. rosea appears to be the result of environmental forcing rather than localized stochastic population variations. Amperima rosea produces small eggs ([less-than-or-eq, slant]200 [mu]m) indicating (1) planktotrophic larval development or (2) lecithotrophic larval development with an abbreviated larval stage. It also reaches maturity at a very small size. The reproductive biology of A. rosea indicates that it can increase rapidly in population size and can colonize large areas quickly. It has high fecundity, as predicted by gonad indices and observed in histological studies. Fecundity was greater in winter than in summer months, but there was no clear evidence of seasonal or episodic reproductive events. All males, irrespective of sample season or year, were mature with spermatozoa. Most oocytes were of an intermediate size (70 to 120 [mu]m), either at the late previtellogenic (70–90 [mu]m) or early vitellogenic (100–120 [mu]m) stage of development. It is postulated that development of full vitellogenesis, leading to episodic spawning, might be dependent on certain environmental stimuli. The most likely stimulus is food supply. Amperima rosea has been shown to feed preferentially on phytodetritus and to have a requirement for certain sterols in its diet. Qualitative changes in the flux of organic matter to the sea-floor may control vitellogenesis and fecundity, and hence have an effect on the population dynamics of the species.
mediterranean sea (w), biology
0025-3154
175-188
Wigham, B.D.
baa74f68-edf2-4301-9d78-92beaa885acf
Tyler, P.A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Billett, D.S.M.
aab439e2-c839-4cd2-815c-3d401e0468db
Wigham, B.D.
baa74f68-edf2-4301-9d78-92beaa885acf
Tyler, P.A.
d1965388-38cc-4c1d-9217-d59dba4dd7f8
Billett, D.S.M.
aab439e2-c839-4cd2-815c-3d401e0468db

Wigham, B.D., Tyler, P.A. and Billett, D.S.M. (2003) Reproductive biology of the abyssal holothurian Amperima rosea: an opportunistic response to variable flux of surface derived organic matter? Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 83 (1), 175-188.

Record type: Article

Abstract

A radical change in the abundance of invertebrate megafauna has occurred over a vast area of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, north-east Atlantic, in recent years. In particular, the holothurian Amperima rosea has increased in abundance by three orders of magnitude. The sudden increase in abundance of A. rosea appears to be the result of environmental forcing rather than localized stochastic population variations. Amperima rosea produces small eggs ([less-than-or-eq, slant]200 [mu]m) indicating (1) planktotrophic larval development or (2) lecithotrophic larval development with an abbreviated larval stage. It also reaches maturity at a very small size. The reproductive biology of A. rosea indicates that it can increase rapidly in population size and can colonize large areas quickly. It has high fecundity, as predicted by gonad indices and observed in histological studies. Fecundity was greater in winter than in summer months, but there was no clear evidence of seasonal or episodic reproductive events. All males, irrespective of sample season or year, were mature with spermatozoa. Most oocytes were of an intermediate size (70 to 120 [mu]m), either at the late previtellogenic (70–90 [mu]m) or early vitellogenic (100–120 [mu]m) stage of development. It is postulated that development of full vitellogenesis, leading to episodic spawning, might be dependent on certain environmental stimuli. The most likely stimulus is food supply. Amperima rosea has been shown to feed preferentially on phytodetritus and to have a requirement for certain sterols in its diet. Qualitative changes in the flux of organic matter to the sea-floor may control vitellogenesis and fecundity, and hence have an effect on the population dynamics of the species.

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Published date: February 2003
Keywords: mediterranean sea (w), biology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 2207
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/2207
ISSN: 0025-3154
PURE UUID: d0ed054a-df4b-4ebc-99bd-9116e5bdc13f

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Date deposited: 20 May 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 04:45

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Contributors

Author: B.D. Wigham
Author: P.A. Tyler
Author: D.S.M. Billett

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