Growth, Aggregation, and Maturation in the Echinoid, Diadema Antillarum
The young of Diadema anitillarum at a site off Boca Raton, Florida increased in test diameter from 9 mm in April 1968 to 35 mm in October 1968. Adults grew from 45 to 50 mm over the same period. The growth rate at Boca Raton was comparable with that of the same species at sites
in the Virgin Islands and Barbados.
Active gametogenesis began at Indian Key in the fall (1968) with decreasing water temperatures. The major spawning (November 1968) occurred during a period of low temperatures. Similar fall spawnings for D. anitillarum also occurred at Key West (1968) and Bermuda (1946). D. anitillarum, at Indian Key, showed a statistical correlation between the release of gametes and the phases of the moon.
D. anitillarum was aggregated to some degree throughout 7 months at Indian Key. The aggregation increased during the spawning period. Tidal fluctuations appeared to have some influence on the aggregating characteristics of this urchin.
Active gametogenesis began at Indian Key in the fall (1968) with decreasing water temperatures. The major spawning (November 1968) occurred during a period of low temperatures. Similar fall spawnings for D. anitillarum also occurred at Key West (1968) and Bermuda (1946). D. anitillarum, at Indian Key, showed a statistical correlation between the release of gametes and the phases of the moon.
D. anitillarum was aggregated to some degree throughout 7 months at Indian Key. The aggregation increased during the spawning period. Tidal fluctuations appeared to have some influence on the aggregating characteristics of this urchin.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 April 1976
- The Bulletin of Marine Science is dedicated to the dissemination of high quality research from the world's oceans. All aspects of marine science are treated by the Bulletin of Marine Science, including papers in marine biology, biological oceanography, fisheries, marine affairs, applied marine physics, marine geology and geophysics, marine and atmospheric chemistry, and meteorology and physical oceanography.
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