Seasonality of asexual reproduction in Holothuria (Halodeima) atra, H. (H.) edulis and Stichopus chloronotus (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida) on the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Asexual reproduction by fission was monitored for 18 mo in populations of Holothuria (Halodeima) atra, H. (H.) edulis and Stichopus chloronotus on three nearshore fringing reefs and one midshelf reef in the Great Barrier Reef. Fission in S. chloronotus occurred exclusively between March and October, with a peak value of 31% recently divided individuals in one population in July. H. atra showed a similar pattern, with maxima of between 16 and 26% from May to July. In H. edulis, asexual reproduction occurred only between March and July, with a maximum of 17% recently divided individuals in March. Fission rates of H. atra and S. chloronotus in winter were significantly higher than in all other seasons. For H. atra, at least 76% of all individuals at Fantome Island were estimated to undergo fission per year, whereas only 9% undergo fission on the midshelf reef. Highest annual fission rates (43%) for S. chloronotus were found in a dense population on Great Palm Island. The lower-density midshelf reef population exhibited comparatively lower annual fission rates (19%). About 24% of H. edulis undergo fission each year. Annual fission rate and population density were positively correlated in the four populations of S. chloronotus and H. atra studied.