Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 531-542 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | J MAR BIOL ASSOC UK |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1993 |
Keywords
- ACTINIARIA
- PARACALLIACTIS-STEPHENSONI
- SEA
- SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
- ANTHOPLEURA-ELEGANTISSIMA BRANDT
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- CNIDARIA
- PERIODICITY
- GAMETOGENESIS
- ANNUAL CYCLE
- ANTHOZOA