Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Asexual reproduction as a means of population maintenance in the coral reef asteroid Linckia multifora on Guam

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The asteroid Linckia multifora (Lamarck) reproduces by autotomy of arms. Seven phases are recognized in its asexual reproductive cycle (autotomized arms; comets; counter-comets; post counter-comet I, II and III; and disc-parents). Individuals of the comet phase represent the highest percentage for population samples collected throughout the year from several sites on Guam, indicating a continuous asexual reproduction through which populations of L. multifora are being maintained.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Davis, L.D.: The suppression of autotomy in Linckia multifora (Lamarck) by a parasitic gastropod, Stylifer linckia Sarasin. Veliger 9, 342–346 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, C.H.: Autotomy and regeneration in Hawaiian starfishes. Occ. Pap. Bernice B. Bishop Mus. 11, 3–20 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grassle, J.F.: Variety in coral reef communities. In: Biology and geology of coral reefs. Vol. 2. Biology 1, pp 247–268. Ed. by Q.A. Jones and R. Endean. New York: Academic Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirota, S.: Anatomical notes on the comet of Linckia multifora, Lamarck. Zool. Mag., Tokyo 7, 67–76 (1895)

    Google Scholar 

  • James, D.B. and J.S. Pearse: Echinoderms from the Gulf of Suez and the Northern Red Sea. J. mar. biol. Ass. India 11 (1, 2), 78–125 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Menge, B.A.: Brood or broadcast? The adaptive significance of different reproductive strategies in two intertidal seastars Leptasterias hexactis and Pisaster ochraceus. Mar. Biol. 31, 87–100 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, T.: Contributions to the study of the development and larval forms of echinoderms. IV. K. danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. (Naturv. Math.) 9, 1–59 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi, M.: Coral reef asteroids of Guam. Biotropica 7, 12–33 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Agana, Guam, USA

    R. S. Rideout

Authors
  1. R. S. Rideout
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J.S. Pearse, Santa Cruz

Supported by National Science Foundation Grant GA-39948 to the University of Guam Marine Laboratory; Contribution No. 108, University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Based on a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at the University of Guam, USA.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rideout, R.S. Asexual reproduction as a means of population maintenance in the coral reef asteroid Linckia multifora on Guam. Mar. Biol. 47, 287–295 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541006

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541006

Keywords

Search

Navigation