Distribution and reproductive ecology of the Antarctic octocoral Ainigmaptilon antarcticum in the Weddell Sea
2002; Inter-Research; Volume: 231; Linguagem: Inglês
10.3354/meps231101
ISSN1616-1599
AutoresCovadonga Orejas, Pablo J. López‐González, JM Gili, Núria Teixidó, Julian Gutt, WE Arntz,
Tópico(s)Marine and fisheries research
ResumoMEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 231:101-114 (2002) - doi:10.3354/meps231101 Distribution and reproductive ecology of the Antarctic octocoral Ainigmaptilon antarcticum in the Weddell Sea C. Orejas1,*, P. J. López-González2, J. M. Gili3, N. Teixidó1, J. Gutt1, W. E. Arntz1 1Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Columbusstraße, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany 2Departamento de Fisología y Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Reina Mercedes, 6, 41012 Sevilla, Spain 3Institut de Ciències del Mar, CMIMA-CSIC, Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain *E-mail: orejas@zmt.uni-bremen.de ABSTRACT: The spatial distribution, density and reproductive ecology of Ainigmaptilon antarcticum was studied using samples (colonies) collected during the EASIZ (Ecology of the Antarctic Sea Ice Zone) cruises I, II, and III, (1996, 1998, and 2000). Samples were taken using Agassiz and bottom trawls between 150 and 600 m depth in conjunction with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV, video recording transects). A. antarcticum showed a very patchy distribution with a mean density of 12 per 100 m2 (SD ± 23) in the study area. This gorgonian species is gonochoric with a sex ratio of 1:1. Two size classes of oocytes in different developmental stages were observed in summer (January to March) and autumn (April to May), ranging from 25 to 700 µm in summer, and from 20 to 900 µm in autumn. Differences in developmental stages among different zones of the colony were observed. The apical and medial part showed the highest fecundity. The distribution of gonad size differed between summer and autumn. The relative frequency of the largest oocyte size class decreased in the autumn samples. No larvae were found. The results are discussed in the context of the relationship between reproductive strategies of marine invertebrates and environmental factors. KEY WORDS: Antarctic octocorals · Reproductive patterns · Distribution Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 231. Online publication date: April 23, 2002 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2002 Inter-Research.
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