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Reproductive cycle of the endemic cassiduloid Cassidulus mitis (Echinoidea: Cassiduloida) on the Brazilian coast

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Abstract

Cassidulus mitis Krau, 1954 is an endemic species from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To study the reproductive cycle of this species, samples were collected at Praia Vermelha, in Guanabara Bay, from October 1998 to April 2000. The sex ratio for C. mitis was 1:1, and reproduction occurred throughout the year. The gonadal index of males was greater than that of females. Five gametogenic stages were identified in males: early growth, premature, mature, partially spawned and early growth with a partially spawned stage. There were no spent or recovery stages such as those seen in females. Females had six gametogenic stages: recovery, early growth, premature, mature, partially spawned and spent stage; there was no early growth with a partially spawned stage as there was in males. The mean oocyte diameter was 382 μm (SD=49 μm), and the mean number of juveniles per female was 100 individuals (SD=108). The anterior gonads were frequently smaller than the posterior ones, and there were differences in the gametogenic stages between the anterior and posterior gonads. First sexual maturation occurred in individuals with a diameter of 17 mm. The intestinal wet weight was two- to threefold higher than the test wet weight. This may indicate that C. mitis uses its intestine as a “weight belt” to avoid displacement from the substratum.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R.S. Varotto, A.L.P.S. Carvalho, A.D. Pereira, S.L.S. Alves, D.C.B. Silva and many others for their assistance in the field collections and laboratory work. We also thank to M.R. Padilha of the Biology Institute/UFRJ and Drs. C.B. Castro and D.O. Pires of the Museu Nacional/UFRJ for providing facilities and space for the histological procedures, and two anonymous referees for the suggestions and criticism that helped to improve the manuscript. F.S. MacCord was supported by a scholarship from the National Research Council of Brazil (CNPq).

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  1. F. S. MacCord

    Present address: Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

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  1. Laboratório de Echinodermata, Departamento de Invertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    F. S. MacCord & C. R. R. Ventura

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Correspondence to F. S. MacCord.

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Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin

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MacCord, F.S., Ventura, C.R.R. Reproductive cycle of the endemic cassiduloid Cassidulus mitis (Echinoidea: Cassiduloida) on the Brazilian coast. Marine Biology 145, 603–612 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1344-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1344-4

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