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Interpopulation variability of the reproductive cycle of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the south-western Mediterranean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2000

Mourad Guettaf
Affiliation:
UMR DIMAR, Diversité Biologique et fonctionnement des Ecosystèmes Marins Côtiers, Faculté des Sciences de Luminy, case 901, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Institut des Sciences de la Nature, USTHB, BP: 59 El Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Alger, Algérie
Gustavo A. San Martin
Affiliation:
Subsecretaria de Pesca, Bellavista 168, piso 17, Casilla 100-v, Valparaiso, Chile
Patrice Francour
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Environnement Marin Littoral, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France

Abstract

The spawning of Paracentrotus lividus has been determined on the basis of the annual gonad index cycle at three sites in the Algiers area presenting low, intermediate and strong hydrodynamism. Three biotopes (Posidonia oceanica beds, rocky substrate with photophilous algae and overgrazed rocky substrate) and two depths (1–3 m and 6–10 m) were considered at these sites, the sex-ratio was always strongly in favour of females (2:1 to 3:1). In all sites but one, there were marked differences in the gonad index and the spawning period between sites; the gonad index reached its maximum value at the site with the weakest hydrodynamism, and the minimum value at the site with the strongest hydrodynamism. Spawning took place in April–May and August–September at the site with the weakest hydrodynamism, in April–June and October–December at the site with intermediate hydrodynamism and only in winter at the site with maximum hydrodynamism. The coexistence, on regional scale, of these reproductive cycles might enable Paracentrotus lividus to compensate the mortality during planktonic larval phase by the fact that spawning of this sea urchin occurred in all seasons.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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