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Reproductive biology of two epizoic anemones from the deep north-eastern Atlantic Ocean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

S. K. Bronsdon
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography, The University, Southampton, SO9 5NH.
P. A. Tyler
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography, The University, Southampton, SO9 5NH.
A. L. Rice
Affiliation:
†Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Deacon Laboratory, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 5UB.
J. D. Gage
Affiliation:
Scottish Marine Biological Association, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4AD

Extract

The reproductive biology of two epizoic deep-sea anemones reveals contrasting reproductive strategies. Amphianthus inornata (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) lives attached to the bathyal gorgonian Acanella arbuscula (Cnidaria: Anthozoa). Females of A. inornata increase in wet body weight as a result of increased oocyte production until 40% of the body weight is reproductive tissue. The anemone reproduces on a seasonal basis, releasing eggs in the early spring of each year. By contrast, Kadosactis commensalis (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) lives attached to the body wall of the abyssal holothurian Paroriza prouhoi (Echinodermata: Holothurioidea). This anemone is a protandric hermaphrodite, females being found only at the anterior end of the holothurian, whilst males are found at any point on the host. Females have a significantly higher wet weight than males and neither sex shows any reproductive seasonality.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1993

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