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Reproductive cycle and ecology of the tropical ascidian Halocynthia spinosa in the Red Sea

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Abstract

Coral-reef community structure has generally changed following declines in coverage by reef-building organisms. Ascidians as fast-growing, filter-feeding organisms, are of concern due to their invasiveness potential, but few studies have examined their life-history traits in tropical environments. The present study examined the distribution, settlement patterns, and reproductive cycle of the solitary, hermaphroditic ascidian Halocynthia spinosa in Eilat, Red Sea (29°30′N, 34°55′E), from August 2013 to August 2015. This species has a native distribution in the western Indian Ocean, with a continuous presence along the southern and eastern coasts of Africa. In Eilat, the field survey found that H. spinosa was prevalent in shallow depths, on cryptic, shaded substrates. Histological analysis of spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and a determination of the gonad index in monthly samples revealed a seasonal reproductive cycle that was significantly correlated with seawater temperature, associated with photoperiod and food availability. All measures of reproduction showed the highest activity in the summer (June–August), and a short resting period in the winter months (December–March). H. spinosa individuals were rarely observed on artificial structures. Thus, the introduction of H. spinosa into new regions as part of a fouling community is relatively unlikely. These findings contribute to understanding ecological interactions of non-reef-building organisms such as ascidians, and add to the knowledge of ascidian reproductive patterns.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to N. Paz and V. Wexler for editorial assistance, and to I. Brickner and L. Novak for their constructive remarks and support. We are indebted to the staff of the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Yaniv Shmuel & Noa Shenkar

  2. The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat, Eilat, Israel

    Yaniv Shmuel

  3. Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Noa Shenkar

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  1. Yaniv Shmuel
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Correspondence to Noa Shenkar.

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This research was supported by the Caroline von Humboldt Prize to NS, the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development Grant Number I-2325-1113 to NS, The Israel Taxonomy Initiative grant for Biodiversity surveys to NS, and the Schulich Ocean Studies Centre Initiative to NS.

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Both authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Sampling was performed under research permits 40201 and 40765 to NS and YS, Nature Park Authority Israel.

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Responsible Editor: J. Grassle.

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Shmuel, Y., Shenkar, N. Reproductive cycle and ecology of the tropical ascidian Halocynthia spinosa in the Red Sea. Mar Biol 164, 147 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3179-9

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