Biological traits of three closely related species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pycnoclavella</Emphasis> (Ascidiacea) in the Western Mediterranean |
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Authors: | Rocío Pérez-Portela Cruz Palacín Sandra Duran Xavier Turon |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Animal Biology (Invertebrates), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 645, Diagonal Avenue, 08028 Barcelona, Spain |
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Abstract: | The reproductive cycles and abundance of the sympatric colonial ascidians Pycnoclavella brava, Pycnoclavella aurilucens and Pycnoclavella communis from two Northwestern Mediterranean sites over a period of 2.5 years are reported. The species showed some differences in
their biological patterns. Gonad maturation and larval brooding took place during autumn and early winter for P. communis, during spring for P. aurilucens and during late winter and spring for P. brava. Summer was found to be the unfavorable season for all species, and an aestivation period occurred in P. communis and P. brava. Maximum abundance for the three species was observed during winter. Growth rates of the most abundant species, P. communis, were also monitored and found to peak during the initial phases of reactivation after aestivation. Growth rates decreased
afterwards, becoming negative as water temperature started to increase after the winter minima. Reproductive activity and
growth rates for P. communis displayed a temporal lag that suggested partitioning of resources to either reproduction or growth in this species. |
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Keywords: | Pycnoclavella Life cycles Colonial ascidians Growth rate |
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