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MEPS 292:195-201 (2005)
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Abstract
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Presence of spawn-inducing pheromones in two brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)
K. Soong1,*, D. Chang1, S. M. Chao2
1Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 804, ROC
2National Museum of Natural Science, 1 Kuan-chien Road., Taichung, Taiwan 404, ROC
*Email: keryea@mail.nsysu.edu.tw
ABSTRACT: Possible roles of pheromones in inducing spawning of 2 brittle stars, Ophiocoma dentata and Ophiocoma scolopendrina, were tested with gonad homogenates. In both species, the ovary homogenate induced conspecific, competent males to
spawn. The potential pheromone was species- specific and had no effect on conspecific females. The testis homogenate did not have any effect. Of the males 50% could be induced at an estimated concentration of 7.8 × 10–7 g
ml–1 (wet ovary weight/seawater) with a threshold concentration at 10–8 g ml–1. Some males could be induced to spawn at least 3 consecutive times at 1 d intervals. The unidirectional induction, i.e. males
induced by female releasate, suggests high selective pressure of sperm limitation in these 2 species.
KEY WORDS: Pheromones · Brittle star · Spawning · Species-specificity
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
292
(2005) on May 12
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2005
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