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Reproduction, recruitment and juvenile ecology of the starfish, Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2009

M. F. Barker  and
D. Nichols
M. F. Barker
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS
D. Nichols
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS
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Abstract

Reproductive cycles are described for subtidal and intertidal populations of the, starfish Asterias rubens L. and for a subtidal population of the starfish Marthasterias glacialis L. on the south-west coast of Britain. Intertidal A. rubens had a clearly defined reproductive cycle with spring-early summer spawning. Pyloric caecum indices were inversely related to gonad indices. Subtidal A. rubens had lower gonad indices and less seasonal variation in the pyloric caecum indices. Gonad indices of M. glacialis suggest few animals in the population studied were breeding, but it is likely that this species also spawns in summer.

Plankton samples and larval rearing studies suggest a planktotrophic pelagic life of approximately 90 days for A. rubens. Field observations and laboratory experiments show larvae settle on a wide range of substrata. Recruitment to an intertidal population of A. rubens at Hollicombe Reef occurred in July 1980 and September 1981. Growth of juvenile starfish was followed for 17 months. Juvenile starfish feed carnivorously at the completion of metamorphosis. Early growth is rapid; however, there is a reduction in the growth rate during winter months. Feeding and growth of juvenile A. rubens is compared with published data on juvenile starfish of other species.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 63 , Issue 4 , November 1983 , pp. 745 - 765
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1983

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