2 research outputs found
Year-round reproduction in a seasonal sea: biological cycle of the introduced ascidian Styela plicata in the Western Mediterranean
10 p谩ginas, 6 figuras.The widely introduced ascidian Styela plicata
is very common in the Western Mediterranean, an area that
can act as a source for secondary introductions due to its
high shipping activity. In order to understand the potential
of this species to colonize new habitats, its reproductive
features were assessed in the Western Mediterranean by
means of monthly monitoring of two populations (Vilanova
i la Geltru麓 41 1205300N, 1 4401100E; Blanes 41 4002900N,
2 4705600E) from January 2009 to December 2010. The
reproductive activity of this species was assessed through
gonad histology and a gonad index. Population size-structure
was measured monthly in order to study recruitment
dynamics. No clear seasonal pattern was observed, and
mature gametes and recruits were present all year long.
Spawning was potentially continuous, although it seemed
punctuated with pulses of gamete release, particularly in
spring. A prolonged reproductive period is likely to confer
a competitive advantage on S. plicata in temperate seas,
where most species reproduce seasonally, and may promote
recurrent introductions as larvae are available for
settlement on transport vectors over much of the year.This research was supported by the Marie
Curie International Reintegration Grant FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG
277038 within the 7th European Community Framework Program, by
the Spanish Government projects CTM2010-22218 and CTM2010-
17755, the Catalan Government grant 2009SGR-484 for Consolidated
Research Groups, and by a University of Barcelona APIF fellowship
to MCP.Peer reviewe