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Seasonality of sexual reproduction in three photosymbiotic Trididemnum species (Didemnidae: Ascidiacea: Tunicata) in a subtropical sea grass bed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2007

Euichi Hirose
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 903-0213, Japan
Aoi Kojima
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 903-0213, Japan
Jun Nogami
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 903-0213, Japan
Katsuya Teruya
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 903-0213, Japan

Abstract

The seasonality of sexual reproduction was studied in three photosymbiotic Trididemnum species, T. miniatum, T. clinides and T. nubilum, inhabiting the same site. In all species, the colonies lacked gonads and/or embryos during the cold season, while gonads were found in most colonies for several months in the warm season. There were some interspecific differences in the duration of the breeding season. Although water temperature is thought to be the principal factor confining sexual reproduction in these photosymbiotic ascidians, other factors, e.g. precipitation, potentially affect fecundity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2007 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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