Reproduction in the diadematoid sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii in contrasting habitats along the coast of New South Wales, Australia |
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Authors: | M Byrne N L Andrew D G Worthington P A Brett |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy and Histology, F13, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia Fax: +29351-2813 e-mail: mbyrne@anatomy.su.oz.au, AU;(2) New South Wales Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 21, Cronulla New South Wales 2230, Australia, AU |
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Abstract: | Reproduction in the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii was examined in two types of habitats (“barrens”, i.e. habitats characterised by the high crustose coralline algal cover
typical of urchin-barren grounds, and by the absence of macroalgae; and “fringe”, i.e. habitats characterised by a high macroalgal
biomass and few C. rodgersii) at four locations in New South Wales. The four locations: the Solitary Islands, Sydney, Ulladulla and Eden, span the distribution
of C.␣rodgersii from the subtropics at its northern limit to temperate waters near its southern limit. Histology and estimates of gonad retrieval
rate (GRR) from January 1994 to October 1995 indicated that reproduction was synchronous at all locations. An increase in
the tempo of gametogenesis in May and onset of spawning in June at all locations is consistent with entrainment in response
to exogenous factors. Over the range studied, C. rodgersii experienced relatively similar daylength cycles and contrasting sea-temperature cycles. Short days and lunar conditions coinciding
with the solstice appear likely proximate cues for the onset of spawning. The major difference in reproduction among locations
was in the duration of spawning. In the southern parts of its range breeding occurred over a 5 to 6 mo period, whereas at
the Solitary Islands it lasted ≃1 mo. At most locations the GRRs were significantly higher in the fringe habitat than in the
barrens habitat. The lower reproductive output of urchins in the barrens habitat was attributed to the food-poor conditions
typical of this habitat. The developing fishery for C. rodgersii is likely to be most effective from March to early May. Urchins from barrens areas may not provide sufficient yield to warrant
harvesting.
Received: 29 October 1997 / Accepted: 18 May 1998 |
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