Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sex ratio and hermaphroditism in Oregon intertidal populations of the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Examination of large numbers of the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson) in the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 indicated that the sex ratio at Yaquina Head, Oregon (USA) was significantly different from 1:1, with males predominating. During 1968, 1970 and 1971 at Boiler Bay and Whale Cove, Oregon, the sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1:1 but, in 1969 at Boiler Bay, the proportion of males was 0.61. Two functionally hermaphroditic individuals were found among the 1,354 Yaquina Head echinoids examined, but none were found at Boiler Bay in an equal number of individuals. The hypothesis is proposed that S. purpuratus is a labile gonochorist, with a multiple, autosomal, sex-determining mechanism whose expression may be influenced by the environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Bacci, G.: Sex determination, 306 pp. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boolootian, R. A. and A. R. Moore: A case of ovotestis in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Science, N.Y. 129, 271–272 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Delavault, R.: Sex determination. In: Physiology of the Echinodermata, pp 615–638. Ed. by R. A. Boolootian. New York: Interscience Publishers 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonor, J. J.: Gonad growth in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson) (Echinodermata; Echinoidea) and the assumptions of gonadal index methods. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 10, 89–103 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, H. B., T. Jutare, J. C. Bauer and J. A. Jones: The biology of Lytechinus variegatus. Bull. mar. Sci. Gulf Caribb. 13, 23–53 (1963a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, J. A. Jones, B. F. McPherson and C. F. E. Roper: A contribution to the biology of Tripneustes esculentus. Bull. mar. Sci. Gulf Caribb. 13, 267–281 (1963b).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. J. Gonor

    Present address: School of Oceanography and Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. J. J. Gonor
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Gonor, J.J. Sex ratio and hermaphroditism in Oregon intertidal populations of the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus . Marine Biology 19, 278–280 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348894

    Download citation

    • Accepted:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348894

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation