Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of seasonality on the reproductive cycle of Diadema aff. antillarum in two contrasting habitats: implications for the establishment of a sea urchin fishery

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Reproduction of Diadema aff. antillarum was examined between 2002 and 2005 at subtidal rocky bottoms around the Canary Islands. Two contrasting habitats (urchin barrens and grazing fronts) characterized by different levels of food availability were chosen, and factors thought to influence reproductive periodicity were monitored, including temperature, photoperiod, phytoplankton abundance and benthic food availability. Histological analyses showed that D. aff. antillarum had an annual reproductive cycle that was relatively synchronous across the studied sites and habitats. Photoperiod was the most significant factor that correlated with gonad periodicity; benthic food availability of 2 month lag was also correlated. However, some differences were detected between males and females in the timing of the onset of gametogenesis. Spawning was synchronized between both sexes from June to August. Results suggest that the optimum time of year to harvest urchin gonads would be between May and June when gonads were maximal in size but not full of gametes. This species may not provide optimal conditions for an industrial scale fishery, as sea urchins occurring in high density had small gonads and those producing larger volume or more marketable gonad tissue occurred in low densities where harvesting costs would exceed profit.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alsaffar AH, Lone KP (2000) Reproductive cycles of Diadema setosum and Echinometra mathaei (Echinoidea: Echinodermata) from Kuwait (Northern Arabian Gulf). Bull Mar Sci 67:845–856

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson MJ, Gorley RN, Clarke KR (2008) PERMANOVA + for PRIMER: guide to software and statistical methods, vol PRIMER-E. Plymouth, UK

  • Bauer JC (1976) Growth, aggregation and maturation in the echinoid Diadema antillarum. Bull Mar Sci 26(2):273–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Böttger SA, Devin MG, Walker CW (2006) Suspension of annual gametogenesis in North American green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) experiencing invariant photoperiod: applications for land-based aquaculture. Aquaculture 261:1422–1431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brewin PE, Lamare MD, Keogh JA, Mladenov PV (2000) Reproductive variability over a 4 year period in the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Echinoidea: Echinometridae) from differing habitats in New Zealand. Mar Biol 137:543–557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockington S, Peck LS (2007) Gametogenesis and gonad mass cycles in the common circumpolar Antarctic echinoid Sterechinus neumayeri. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 330:139–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne M (1990) Annual reproductive cycles of the commercial sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from an exposed intertidal and a sheltered habitat on the west coast of Ireland. Mar Biol 104:275–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne M, Andrew NL, Worthington DG, Brett PA (1998) Reproducction in the diadematoid sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii in contrasting habitats along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Mar Biol 132:305–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemente S, Hernández JC, Rodríguez A, Brito A (2010) Identifying keystone predators and the importance of preserving functional diversity in sublittoral rocky bottoms. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 413:55–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coppard SE, Campbell AC (2005) The lunar periodicity of diadematid echinoids breeding in Fiji. Coral Reefs 24:324–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drummond AE (1995) Reproduction of the sea urchins Echinometra mathaei and Diadema savignyi on the South Africa eastern coast. Mar Freshw Res 46:751–757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont C, Pearce CM, Stazicker C, Xin An Y, Keddy L (2006) Can photoperiod manipulation affect gonad development of a boreo-arctic echinoid (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) following exposure in the wild after the autumnal equinox? Mar Biol 149:365–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebert TA (1968) Growth rates of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus related to food availability and spine abrasion. Ecology 49:1075–1091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox HM (1923) Lunar periodicity in reproduction. Proc Roy Soc 95B:523–550

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuji A (1960a) Studies on the biology of the sea urchin I. Superficial and histological changes in gametogenic process of two sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus nudus and S. intermedius. Bull Fac Fish Hokkaido Univ 11:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuji A (1960b) Studies on the biology of the sea urchin II. Reproductive cycle of two sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus nudus and S. intermedius. Bull Fac Fish Hokkaido Univ 11:49–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernández JC, Brito A, García N, Gil-Rodríguez MC, Herrera G, Cruz-Reyes A, Falcón JM (2006) Spatial and seasonal variation of the gonad index of Diadema antillarum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the Canary Islands. Sci Mar 70:689–698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández JC, Clemente S, Sangil C, Brito A (2008) The key role of the sea urchin Diadema aff. antillarum in controlling macroalgae assemblages throughout the Canary Islands (eastern subtropical Atlantic): a spatio-temporal approach. Mar Environ Res 66:259–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández-León S, Almeida C, Yebra L, Arístegui J, Fernández de Puelles ML, García-Braun J (2001) Zooplanckton abundance in subtropical waters: is there a lunar cycle? Sci Mar 65(1):59–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hori R, Phang VPE, Lam TJ (1987) Preliminary study on the pattern of gonadal development of the sea urchin, Diadema setosum, off the coast of Singapore. Zool Sci 4:665–675

    Google Scholar 

  • Illife TM, Pearse JS (1982) Annual and lunar reproductive rhythms of the sea urchin, Diadema antillarum (Philippi) in Bermudas. Int J Inver Rep Dev 5:139–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy B, Pearse JS (1975) Lunar synchronization of the monthly reproductive rhythm in the sea urchin Centrostephanus coronatus verrill. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 17:323–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King CK, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Byrne M (1994) Reproductive cycle of Centrostephanus rodgersii (Echinoidea), with recommendations for the establishment of a sea urchin fishery in New South Wales. Mar Biol 120:95–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence JM (1987) A functional biology of echinoderms. J Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessios HA (1979) Molecular, morphological and ecological divergence of shallow water sea urchins separated by Isthmus of Panama. Dissertation, Yale University

  • Lessios HA (1981) Reproductive periodicity of the echinoid Diadema and Echinometra on two coast of Panamá. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 80:47–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lessios HA (1984) Possible prezygotic reproductive isolation in sea urchins separated by the Isthmus of Panama. Evolution 38(5):1144–1148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lessios HA (1991) Presence and absence of monthly reproductive rhythms among eight Caribbean echinoids off the coast of Panama. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 153:27–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitan D (1988) Density-dependent size regulation and negative growth in the sea urchin Diadema antillarum Philippi. Oecologia 76(4):627–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis JB (1966) Growth and breeding in the tropical echinoid Diadema antillarum Philippi. Bull Mar Sci 16(1):151–158

    Google Scholar 

  • McClintock JB, Watts SA (1990) The effects of photoperiod on gametogenesis in the tropical sea urchin Eucidaris tribuloides (lamarck) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 139:175–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meidel SK, Scheibling RE (1998) Annual reproductive cycle of the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, in differing habitats in Nova Scotia, Canada. Mar Biol 131:461–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercier A, Hamel JF (2009) Advances in marine biology: endogenous and exogenous control of gametogenesis and spawning in echinoderms. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 302

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RG (1980) Simultaneous statistical inference. Verlag, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Millot N (1954) Sensitivity to light and the reactions to changes in light intensity of the echinoid, Diadema antillarum Philippi. Phil Trans B 238:187–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millot N (1975) The photosensitivity of echinoids. Adv Mar Biol 13:1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Millot N, Yoshida M (1957) The spectral sensitivity of the echinoid Diadema antillarum Philippi. J Exp Biol 34:394–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthiga MA (2003) Coexistence and reproductive isolation of sympatric echinoids Diadema savignyi Michelin and Diadema setosum (Leske) on Kenyan coral reefs. Mar Biol 143:669–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthiga NA, Jaccarini V (2005) Effects of seasonality and population density on the reproduction of the Indo-Pacific echinoid Echinometra mathaei in Kenyan coral reef lagoons. Mar Biol 146:445–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olive PJW (1995) Annual breeding cycles in marine invertebrates and environmental temperature: probing the proximate and ultimate causes of reproductive synchrony. J Therm Biol 20:79–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orton JH (1920) Sea-temperature, breeding and distribution in marine animals. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 12:339–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS (1969) Reproductive periodicities of Indo-Pacific invertebrates in the Gulf of Suez. II. The echinoids Echinometra mathaei (De Blainville). Bull Mar Sci 19(3):580–613

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS (1970) Reproductive periodicities of Indo-Pacific invertebrates in the Gulf of Suez. III. The echinoid Diadema setosum (Leske). Bull Mar Sci 1:697–720

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS (1975) Lunar reproductive rhythims in sea urchins. A review. J Interdiscip Cycle Res 6(1):47–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS (1981) Synchronization of gametogenesis in the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and S. franciscanus. In: Clark WH Jr, Adams TS (eds) Advances in invertebrate reproduction. Elsevier, North Holland, pp 53–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS, Barksdale JM (1987) Temporal patterns of reproduction by shallow-water invertebrates in the Indian Ocean. In: Thompson M, Sarojini R, Nagabhushanam R (eds) Indian Ocean: biology of benthic marine organisms. Oxford and IBH, Calcutta, pp 13–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS, Cameron RA (1991) Echinodermata: Echinoidea. In: Giese AC, Pearse JS, Pearse VB (eds) Reproduction of marine invertebrates. Echinoderms and Lophophorates, vol 6. The Boxwood Press, CA, pp 513–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse JS, Pearse VB, Davis KK (1986) Photoperiodic regulation of gametogenesis and growth in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. J Exp Zool 237:107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall JE, Schroeder RE, Starck WA (1964) Notes on the biology of the echinoid Diadema antillarum. Caribb J Sci 4(2–3):421–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell MP (1987) Life history traits and resource allocation in the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 108:199–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sangil C (2011) La vegetación sublitoral de sustratos rocosos en las islas Canarias: estructura, composición y dinámica de las comunidades de macroalgas. Dissertation. Universidad de La Laguna

  • Starr M, Himmelman JH, Therriault JC (1993) Environmental control of green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, spawning in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 50:894–901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steeman-Nielsen E (1952) Use of radioactive carbon (C14) for measuring organic production in the sea. J Cons Int Explor Mer 18:117–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ullrich-Lüter EM, Dupont S, Arboleda E, Hausen H, Arnone MI (2011) Unique system of photoreceptors in sea urchin tube feet. PNAS 36(54):112–123. doi:10.1073/pnas.1018495108

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker CW, Lesser MP (1998) Manipulation of food and photoperiod promotes out-of-season gametogenesis in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis: implications for aquaculture. Mar Biol 132:663–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker CW, Unuma T, Mcginn NA, Harrington LM, Lesser MP (2001) Reproduction of sea urchins. In: Lawrence JM (ed) Edible sea urchins: biology and ecology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 5–26

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson JE, Steinberg PD (2002) Reproductive cycle of the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurascens (Temnopleuridae: Echinodermata). Mar Biol 140:519–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida M (1952) Observations on the maturation of Diadema setosum. Annot Zool Jpn 25:267–271

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to the ‘Dpto. Citología e Histología’ at the ‘Universidad de La Laguna’ (Tenerife, Canary Islands) for providing us access to their laboratory facilities to perform histological studies, to D. Girard for her help during field collections and to A. Pérez-Ruzafa who improved the multivariate statistical analysis. Three anonymous reviewers and the editor greatly improved previous versions of the manuscript. This research was carried out within the framework of the project ‘ACIDROCK’ CTM2010_21724 (subprogram MAR) of the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación’. S.C. was funded by the project “Proyecto Estructurante en Ciencias Marinas” from “Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodiversidad, Ecología Marina y Conservación, Departamento de Biología Animal (Ciencias Marinas), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Laguna, c/Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez sn, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    J. C. Hernández, S. Clemente & A. Brito

Authors
  1. J. C. Hernández
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Clemente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Brito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. C. Hernández.

Additional information

Communicated by M. Byrne.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 6,601 kb)

Supplementary material 2 (PDF 7,135 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hernández, J.C., Clemente, S. & Brito, A. Effects of seasonality on the reproductive cycle of Diadema aff. antillarum in two contrasting habitats: implications for the establishment of a sea urchin fishery. Mar Biol 158, 2603–2615 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1761-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1761-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation