Mass brooding of the blue octocoral,Heliopora coerulea on a sedimented equatorial reef

The octocoral Heliopora coerulea is a gonochoric surface brooder. Although the species is common on shallow Indo-Pacific coral reefs, information on its reproductive biology is limited and spawning timings have only been reported from four locations. We report the first observations of surface brooding in H. coerulea on a sedimented equatorial reef. In April 2014, 46 and 26 brooding colonies were recorded, respectively, from reefs fringing the islands of Kusu and Lazarus in Singapore. The brooded coral larvae were tightly bound to inflated coral polyps, forming a dense white mat which blanketed the brown coral tissue. The inflated polyps also protruded from layers of sediment, which accumulated in colony crevices, such that the brooded larvae were elevated above the settled sediment. Our observations supplement existing knowledge on the reproductive timing of H. coerulea and highlight the adaptations that improve survival of this species on sediment-impacted reefs.     

Reproductive biology of the crocodile shark Pseudocarcharias kamoharai

From February 2005 to September 2007, a total of 490 crocodile sharks Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, caught as by‐catch in the swordfish and tuna longline fishery that operates in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, was studied in regard to their reproductive biology. Maximum observed total lengths (L_T) were 1220 and 1090 mm for females and males respectively, with a high proportion of the catch being composed of mature specimens. Sexual maturity was attained at 760–810 mm L_T for males (L_T50 = 800 mm) and 870–980 mm L_T for females (L_T50 = 916 mm). The size at birth was estimated at 415 mm L_T. Temporal variation in gonad morphology and mass suggests that in this region P. kamoharai, an aplacental viviparous species with oophagy, does not show a well‐defined reproductive seasonality, with mating and parturition occurring possibly over an extended period of the year. Mean ±s.d . fecundity was estimated to be 3·9 (± 0·6) pups per reproductive cycle.     

Reproductive biology, development, and planula behavior in the Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

Abstract. The reproductive biology, development, and planula behavior of the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae were studied at 2 sites in the Bahamas between 1996 and 2001. Colonies were gonochoric, and females brooded planulae on the colony surface. Gonads were observed only in colonies 18 cm high or larger. Spawning was asynchronous within and between sites but was concentrated 2–10 days after the new moons from late November through early January. Fertilized eggs developed into planulae over 1–2 days and the planulae remained attached to the surface of the female colony for an additional 2–4 days. Planulae were negatively buoyant and field observations suggest that larvae may settle within tens of meters of the maternal colony. P. elisabethae is harvested for natural products, and information on the reproduction of this commercially important species is crucial to the understanding of its population biology and to the development of management plans for the conservation of the species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Caribbean sea fan coral, Gorgonia ventalina

Here we report primers for 10 microsatellite loci from the Caribbean sea fan coral, Gorgonia ventalina. Primers were tested on 237 genomic DNA extracts taken directly from tissue samples of G. ventalina. All loci were polymorphic with allelic richness ranging from 4 to 52. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.14 to 0.96. Preliminary data suggest that these microsatellites will be useful tools for studies of the population genetics of this important Caribbean coral species.     

Colony growth responses of the Caribbean octocoral, Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, to harvesting

Abstract. Colonies of the branching Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae were subjected to partial mortality at 2 sites in the Bahamas to study how colony growth responds to disturbances such as harvesting, grazing, and storm damage. Colonies were clipped so that either 4 branches or 10 branches remained. Growth rates of branches were then monitored over 1 year and compared with nearby unclipped colonies. No significant differences were found between branch extension rates among the 3 treatments. Extension rates of newly formed branches were significantly greater in all treatments than among branches present at the start of the experiment. Per capita branching rates were greater on the more severely clipped colonies and were smallest on control colonies. The absolute number of branches that became mother branches did not differ among treatments. Colonies clipped so that 4 and 10 branches remained had the same average number of mother branches per colony, and there was no significant difference between treatments in the average number of new branches formed on the colonies. Per capita branching rates were significantly different among treatments only because the relative proportion of branches that became mother branches was higher in colonies with four branches than in treatments with more initial branches. Total growth (cumulative growth on all branches) was not significantly different between the 2 clipped treatments. Many of the control colonies suffered extensive damage, which may have obscured the comparison of clipped and unclipped treatments; however, within the range of these clipping treatments, differing levels of partial mortality did not lead to different recovery rates. The lack of treatment effects is particularly relevant to assessing the effects of harvest techniques on the recovery and productivity of harvested, naturally occurring, colonies.     

Differentiation Patterns of Reproductive Systems in the Genus Trillium

Abstract The differentiation patterns of reproductive systems, including breeding and pollination systems, and perennation strategies of the genus Trillium were critically studied. The pedicellate- and sessile-flowered species with different floral morphologies and ecological distributions exhibited distinct modes of reproductive systems in relation to their habitat conditions. The pedicellate-flowered species occurring in stable mesic temperate deciduous forests reproduce exclusively by seeds, while sessile-flowered species growing in the alluvial flood plain habitats depend to a large extent on vegetative reproduction to compensate for the insufficient sexual reproduction under ecologically unstable conditions, e.g., frequent disturbance due to flooding. These sessile-flowered species are characterized by low ovule numbers, subsequent low seed outputs and low fecundity levels. In contrast to the sessile-flowered species, the pedicellate-erect-flowered species showed very high seed setting rates of over 50%. Breeding experiments for four Japanese species suggest that, although they substantially possess the capability of both inbreeding and outbreeding, the high fecundity levels are maintained by predominant inbreeding system. Furthermore, resource levels in the stock organs of these species obviously determine fecundity levels. As a consequence the amount of reserved food in the rhizomes transferred to the next season is determined, which gurantees a continuous reproductive activity of a given individual plant.     

Reproductive biology of the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera,with comments on an intersexual individual

A total of 1357 specimens of Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera were collected in the eastern Bering Sea by fisheries observers and during scientific groundfish surveys from 2003 to 2005. Male and female gonads were examined for maturity stage and seasonal reproductive timing. Based on seasonal reproductive data, including the occurrence of egg cases, ovum size, ovum number, shell‐gland width and gonado‐somatic index, this species appears to reproduce continually throughout the year. Potential effects of maternal size upon the size and number of mature oocytes were also investigated, with total length having a significant, although weak, influence on both. Morphology of a single intersexual individual encountered during the collection period is also described.     

Life‐history strategy,with ctenidial and pallial larval brooding,of the troglodytic ‘living fossil’ Congeria kusceri (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) from the subterranean Dinaric Alpine karst of Croatia

Among freshwater bivalves, the brooding of embryos and larvae within the maternal ctenidia is well known. Exceptions to this generalization are the non‐brooding freshwater and estuarine species of Dreissena and Mytilopsis, respectively. It was reported that the freshwater troglodytic cousin, Congeria kusceri Bole, 1962, of these dreissenids does not brood either. It is herein demonstrated that C. kusceri undergoes one reproductive cycle each year. Sexes are separate, with an early male and later female bias. A small percentage (2.14%) of individuals is hermaphroditic. The gonads mature over summer from May to November. Spawning commences in September, when females release mature oocytes into their ctenidia and inhale sperm from mature males. Here the oocytes are fertilized, and develop within interfilamentary marsupia. Ctenidial tissues glandularize, and may provide a source of maternal nutrition for the embryos. At the late prodissoconch‐1 or prodissoconch‐2 stage (PR2, ~220 μm), larvae are released into the infrabranchial chamber via a birth channel along the outer edge of the ventral marginal food groove of both inner demibranchs. Here, they are brooded further in mantle pouches located beneath the inhalant siphon. Subsequently, after the PR2 stage (nepioconch/dissoconch), they are released from the inhalant siphon and assume an independent life as crawling juveniles. Such juveniles may be found amongst clusters of adults. Not only is C. kusceri unique amongst the Dreissenidae in possessing the capacity to brood internally fertilized ova, but it is also exceptional amongst the Bivalvia in possessing the described methods of brooding and birth. Explanations for both lie in its troglodytic lifestyle, decadal length longevity and habitat: that of byssal attachment to the hard surfaces of underground freshwater rivers, caves, pits, and sinkholes in the Tethyan arc of the Dinaric karst. Internal fertilization of a few large yolky eggs, lecithotrophic larvae, ctenidial brooding, and secondary pallial parental care represent relatively recent, Late Miocene, evolutionary adaptations from a Tethyan lentic ancestor.     

Reproductive biology,multiple paternity and polyandry of the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas

To improve understanding of bull shark Carcharhinus leucas reproductive biology, we analysed reproductive traits from 118 bull sharks caught along Reunion Island coasts (Western Indian Ocean), including 16 gravid females. Specific microsatellite loci were used to investigate the frequency of multiple paternity. Males and females reached maturity at c. 234 cm and 257 cm total length (L_T), respectively, and litter sizes ranged from 5 to 14 embryos. Analysis of the 16 litters collected in various months of the year indicated that parturition occurs between October and December, with a size at birth c. 60–80 cm L_T and that the gestation period is probably c. 12 months. Assuming a 1 year resting period and a period of sperm storage (4–5 months) between mating (in June–September) and fertilisation, the reproductive cycle of bull sharks at Reunion Island would be biennial. At least 56.25% of the litters investigated were polyandrous, sired by 2–5 males. Several males that each sired several litters conceived during the same or distinct mating seasons were detected, suggesting both a seasonal aggregation of sharks to mate and some male fidelity to mating site. Altogether, these findings provide valuable information for both shark risk management and conservation of the species in the Western Indian Ocean.     

植物种群的繁殖对策

植物种群的繁殖对策钟章成（西南师范大学,重庆６３０７１５）ＲｅｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｖｅＳｔｒａｔｅｇｉｅｓｏｆＰｌａｎｔＰｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎｓ．￥ＺｈｏｎｇＺｈａｎｇｃｈｅｎｇ（ＳｏｕｔｈｗｅｓｔＣｈｉｎａＴｅａｃｈｅｒｓＵ－ｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ,Ｃｈｏｎ...     

Reproductive biology of Clintonia udensis

To clarify the life history of Clintonia udensis, we investigated its reproductive systems and spatio‐temporal population structure. Pollination experiments and the observation of floral visitors revealed that C. udensis was compatible with both self‐ and outcross‐pollen, and it potentially produces seeds by insect‐mediated outcrossing in natural conditions. In addition, propagation by clonal reproduction from rhizomes was evident. In this study, it was clarified that C. udensis potentially propagates by sexual and asexual reproduction and maintains its population through a stable frequency of flowering. The differences in the dependence on each reproduction mode could be one of the contributing factors for creating a variety of population sizes and distribution patterns of ramets in populations.     

Reproductive biology of Bagrus docmak in the Victoria Nile,Uganda

Aspects of the reproductive biology of Bagrus docmak in the Victoria Nile were investigated between November 2005 and October 2006. Macroscopic and histological analysis of the gonads confirmed it as an asynchronous batch spawner which spawns throughout the year with bimodal spawning peaks coinciding with rainfall seasons. The first spawning peak occurred from March to May, the second from September to November. The sex ratio did not significantly deviate from 1:1. Length at sexual maturity was 33.6 cm and 31.6 cm fork length (FL) for females and males, respectively. Batch fecundity ranged from 1 000 eggs in 34 cm FL fish to 43 000 eggs in 79 cm FL fish, and correlated linearly with FL (r = 0.72) and body weight (r = 0.79). Mean relative batch fecundity was 6 eggs g^?1 (SE 2). These results could guide research into the possibility of artificially inducing the fish to spawn, and its subsequent culture.     

Reproductive Parameters of Wild Female Lagothrix lagotricha

I describe the reproductive patterns of female woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha) based on a 12-year study of one group of them at Macarena Ecological Investigations Center, Meta, Colombia. As in other atelin species—muriquis and spider monkeys—characterized by male philopatry, female woolly monkeys leave their natal groups. The age of emigration is ca. 6 years. Females probably begin to copulate with adult males soon after emigration, while their mean age of first parturition is 9 years. They frequently changed groups until they birthed. The average interbirth interval is 36.7 mo (n = 13). All births occurred between July and December (late wet season to early dry season). Copulation occurred throughout the year. However, they copulated more frequently in the estimated conception period from December to May (early dry season to early wet season) than in the birth season. The females had a period of sexual inactivity averaging <23.4 mo after parturition, followed by a period of sexual activity >7.2 mo until conception. The copulation period and copulation cycle or interval between copulation periods averaged 2.3 and 11.3 days calculated by a conventional method, or 3.1 and 14.7 days by a slightly modified method. The reproductive parameters of woolly monkeys are quite similar to those reported for other atelins in many respects, except the immigration process and age of first copulation.     

Reproductive biology of Alitta succinea (Annelida: Nereididae) in a Brazilian tropical lagoon

Alitta succinea is considered a cosmopolitan species in estuarine and coastal environments. It is also a model organism in marine chemical ecology and is used in ecotoxicological tests and molecular studies. We aimed to study the reproductive biology of the species in Lagoa de Maricá of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. For this purpose, monthly samples were taken from May 2015 to May 2016. The 653 individuals collected (sex ratio 1 male:1.5 female) were measured (width of the 20th chaetiger), sexed, and classified into stages by three criteria: the presence of gametes in the coelom; hypertrophy of the eyes; and modifications of the parapodia. From each identified female, the diameters of 30 randomly chosen oocytes were measured. Sediment samples were taken separately to analyze total organic matter and grain size. Salinity and temperature of the water were measured in situ each month. Our results show that individuals of this species reproduce through epitoky, with four stages of epitoky identified in both males and females. Parapodial modifications were more pronounced in males, in which some features such as the serrated papillae in the dorsal and ventral cirrus were exclusive.     

Life History Studies on the Genus Trillium (Liliaceae) I. Reproductive Biology of Four Japanese Species

Abstract Four Japanese Trillium (Liliaceae) species which are representative perennial herbs of the temperate deciduous forests— Trillium kamtschaticum (2x), T. apetalon (4x), T. tschonoskii (4x) and T. smallii (6x)—were studied for their reproductive characteristics, e.g., patterns of reproductive resource allocation and reproductive output.
In spite of the differences in ploidy levels (from 2x to 6x), all four species showed very similar reproductive traits. It became evident that in response to the increase in reproductive allocation to total reproductive organs (RA), the number of seeds produced per plant (P_N) clearly increased. This trend is well in accord with the relationship found in four North American species and also several temperate woodland perennial herbs which occur in closed, stable and predictable environments, and possess typical xenogamous breeding systems. Although there is no conspicuous trend between ploidy levels and P_N, one of the significant differences noted in this study was in seed weight, which ranged from 2.93 mg in diploids, to 3.42–3.45 mg in tetraploids, and to 4.47 mg in hexaploids.     

Reproductive biology of the rock shrimp Sicyonia dorsalis (Decapoda: Penaeoidea) from the southeastern coast of Brazil

Summary

Sicyonia dorsalis is not commercially exploited in Brazil, but it forms a critical link in marine food chains by converting detritus food sources into microorganism biomass that is available for higher trophic levels. We examined the reproductive biology of this species, sampled for five and a half years in a tropical locality, the southeastern coast of São Paulo (23° S), Brazil. Monthly samples were taken from January 1998 to June 2003 at depths of 5 to 45 m. Degree of ovarian development was used to examine breeding in adult females. Recruitment was estimated by changes in proportion of individuals in juvenile size classes of carapace length (CL #8.2 mm) in relationship to the total number of individuals. The largest immature female measured 9.2 mm CL, but 75% of females were smaller than 7.3 mm CL. The largest immature male measured 6.8 mm CL. The relative frequency of reproductive females was negatively correlated with the relative frequency of recruitment (p <0.001). Reproductive females were found in every season, with peaks in December-February following the recruitment peak in March-June, and a second peak of spawning in May-July and of recruitment in September-November. The continuous reproductive pattern observed for S. dorsalis, combined with the hypothesis that during spring and summer the phytoplankton production is higher, when the South Atlantic central water mass intrudes into the region during upwelling events, suggests that food availability for protozoeal and mysis larvae may be an important selective factor shaping the seasonal breeding pattern for S. dorsalis. The classical paradigm of continuous reproduction at lower latitudes, with increased seasonality of the breeding period at higher latitudes, seems to be valid for this species.