Gametogenic periodicity in the chemosynthetic cold-seep mussel “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathymodiolus” childressi</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Paul Tyler Craig M Young Emily Dolan Shawn M Arellano Sandra D Brooke Maria Baker |
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Institution: | (1) School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;(2) Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, Charleston, OR 97420, USA |
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Abstract: | The gametogenic periodicity of the cold seep mussel “Bathymodiolus” childressi was analysed from a time series of samples from depths of ∼ 650 m surrounding the Brine Pool cold seep on the continental
slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Occasional samples were retrieved from Bush Hill and GC 234 for comparison. At the Brine
Pool, both females and males showed strong reproductive periodicity with the initiation of gametogenesis from December to
March, followed by a period of gamete growth or proliferation and spawning from October to February. Gametogenesis was synchronized
at all three sites. Gametogenic periodicity appears to be correlated with surface production that peaks during the winter
months. Downward flux of detritus during this period may provide food for the planktotrophic larvae and also supplementary
nutrition for the adult, which has chemosynthetic bacterial symbionts but is also capable of filter feeding. Individuals in
all three populations carried parasites and these were especially common at Bush Hill and GC234, where it is suggested they
have a major impact on reproductive output. |
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