Reproductive biology and early life history of the hermaphroditic feather star Dorometra sesokonis (Echinodermata: Crinoidea)
Obuchi, M.; Fujita, Y.; Nakano, Y.; Uehara, T.; Motokawa, T. (2010). Reproductive biology and early life history of the hermaphroditic feather star Dorometra sesokonis (Echinodermata: Crinoidea). Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 157(6): 1191-1201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1399-3
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Obuchi, M.
- Fujita, Y.
- Nakano, Y.
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| Abstract |
Reproduction and larval/post-larval development of the one of the smallest known comatulid Dorometra sesokonis were studied on the coral reefs of Sesoko-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. Breeding individuals were found every month from May 2003 to April 2004 indicating continuous reproduction. Individuals possessed both mature ovaries and testes, and were therefore characterized as simultaneous hermaphrodites. This species was observed to be an external brooder in which the embryos developed on the surface of parental genital pinnules until the doliolaria larval stage, and subsequently released doliolariae settled on substrata within 4 days after hatching. Larvae then metamorphosed into the post-larval cystidean stage, which lasted for more than a month. The reproductive features of this species are unique among crinoids, and, together with juvenile morphological features observed in adults, can be interpreted as adaptations to their cryptic habitat, which is subject to frequent natural disturbances. |
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