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Sexual and asexual reproduction of Allostichaster capensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Golfo Nuevo

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Abstract

Sexual and asexual reproduction of the fissiparous starfish Allostichaster capensis were examined for 24 months at Bahía Kaiser, Golfo Nuevo, Chubut, Argentina. Gonad indices revealed an annual reproductive cycle, with peak development occurring in late winter (August). Spawning occurred in spring (September). Pyloric caeca indices displayed a clear annual cycle and a reciprocal relationship with gonad indices, showing the storage function of pyloric caeca. The starfish population appears to be largely maintained by fission, as only two females were found. A. capensis also showed an annual cycle of fission, with the highest frequency in spring and summer (from November to January), just after spawning. Incidence of fission was correlated with environmental factors such as photoperiod, seawater temperature, and salinity.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Lic. Marina Kroeck and Instituto de Biología Marina y Pesquera “Alte. Storni” for allowing us to perform the histological analyses, diver Francisco Fernandez for collection of samples, and Dr. John Lawrence and four anonymous reviewers for helpful suggestions on earlier versions of the manuscript. The research presented in this article was performed as part of project no. 449 “Reproductive Cycle of Asteroidea in Golfo Nuevo”, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan Bosco”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan Bosco”, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    Tamara Rubilar & María E. Díaz de Vivar

  2. Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    Catalina T. Pastor de Ward

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  1. Tamara Rubilar
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  2. Catalina T. Pastor de Ward
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  3. María E. Díaz de Vivar
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Correspondence to Tamara Rubilar.

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Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin

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Rubilar, T., Pastor de Ward, C.T. & Díaz de Vivar, M.E. Sexual and asexual reproduction of Allostichaster capensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Golfo Nuevo. Marine Biology 146, 1083–1090 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1530-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1530-4

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