Variation in egg numbers between populations and between years in the holothurian Cucumaria curata

The relationship between egg number and latitude was studied in a common intertidal holothurian from the West Coast of North America. Nine populations of Cucumaria curata Cowles, 1907, ranging in location from Monterey, California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were sampled from 1972 to 1974. Egg number versus body weight regressions were determined for each population and examined within and between years for any patterns of variation. Very little variability was found in the slopes of the regressions, indicating a constant allometric relationship between egg number and body weight from year to year and population to population. However, the variability in the intercepts of the regressions indicated variable reproductive output between populations and from year to year.Contribution No. 3 of the Bodega Marine Sciences Association and PACTREX Report No. 3.