Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2011. Biology Includes bibliographical references. Monthly collections of the brittle star Ophiopholis aculeata were made and individuals were analyzed using traditional methods (gonad indices, gametogenic stages and oocyte diameters), along with...
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ftmemorialunivdc:oai:collections.mun.ca:theses5/22195 2023-05-15T17:23:28+02:00 Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index Doyle, Gina Marie, 1986- Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Biology 2011 xvi, [148] leaves in various foliations : ill. Image/jpeg; Application/pdf http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses5/id/22195 Eng eng Electronic Theses and Dissertations (19.15 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Doyle_Gina.pdf http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses5/id/22195 The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Effect of temperature on Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Climatic factors Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Environmental aspects Gametogenesis--Research Text Electronic thesis or dissertation 2011 ftmemorialunivdc 2015-08-06T19:22:48Z Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2011. Biology Includes bibliographical references. Monthly collections of the brittle star Ophiopholis aculeata were made and individuals were analyzed using traditional methods (gonad indices, gametogenic stages and oocyte diameters), along with a newly developed quantitative method coined the 'maturity stage index' (MSI). The MSI was statistically related to conventional methods of studying reproduction, but provided greater sensitivity for fine-scale and inter-individual comparisons. This allowed the study of reproductive synchrony in O. aculeata over several scales: (1) within a given habitat, (2) between adjoining habitats, (3) among individuals in each habitat, and (4) within and among natural clusters of individuals. Complementary laboratory trials were conducted to further examine the influence of temperature and spatial distribution on gametogenesis. Ophiopholis aculeata exhibited an annual gametogenic cycle with spawning in late summer. Significant differences were seen between habitats and among individuals in certain months, and synchrony was generally greater around the time of spawning and in nearby/grouped individuals. Laboratory experiments indicated that temperature is unlikely to act as a proximate reproductive cue, and phytoplankton is probably the major environmental factor mediating the annual reproduction of O. aculeata. Together, field and laboratory findings further evidenced the synergistic roles of exogenous factors and inter-individual communication in coordinating the reproductive cycle of marine invertebrates. Thesis Newfoundland studies University of Newfoundland Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) |
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Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) |
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ftmemorialunivdc |
language |
English |
topic |
Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Effect of temperature on Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Climatic factors Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Environmental aspects Gametogenesis--Research |
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Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Effect of temperature on Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Climatic factors Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Environmental aspects Gametogenesis--Research Doyle, Gina Marie, 1986- Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
topic_facet |
Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Effect of temperature on Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Climatic factors Ophiuroidea--Reproduction--Environmental aspects Gametogenesis--Research |
description |
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2011. Biology Includes bibliographical references. Monthly collections of the brittle star Ophiopholis aculeata were made and individuals were analyzed using traditional methods (gonad indices, gametogenic stages and oocyte diameters), along with a newly developed quantitative method coined the 'maturity stage index' (MSI). The MSI was statistically related to conventional methods of studying reproduction, but provided greater sensitivity for fine-scale and inter-individual comparisons. This allowed the study of reproductive synchrony in O. aculeata over several scales: (1) within a given habitat, (2) between adjoining habitats, (3) among individuals in each habitat, and (4) within and among natural clusters of individuals. Complementary laboratory trials were conducted to further examine the influence of temperature and spatial distribution on gametogenesis. Ophiopholis aculeata exhibited an annual gametogenic cycle with spawning in late summer. Significant differences were seen between habitats and among individuals in certain months, and synchrony was generally greater around the time of spawning and in nearby/grouped individuals. Laboratory experiments indicated that temperature is unlikely to act as a proximate reproductive cue, and phytoplankton is probably the major environmental factor mediating the annual reproduction of O. aculeata. Together, field and laboratory findings further evidenced the synergistic roles of exogenous factors and inter-individual communication in coordinating the reproductive cycle of marine invertebrates. |
author2 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Biology |
format |
Thesis |
author |
Doyle, Gina Marie, 1986- |
author_facet |
Doyle, Gina Marie, 1986- |
author_sort |
Doyle, Gina Marie, 1986- |
title |
Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
title_short |
Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
title_full |
Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
title_fullStr |
Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, Ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
title_sort |
effect of spatial and environmental factors on the reproductive cycle of the brittle star, ophiopholis aculeata, based on a new maturity stage index |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses5/id/22195 |
genre |
Newfoundland studies University of Newfoundland |
genre_facet |
Newfoundland studies University of Newfoundland |
op_source |
Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries |
op_relation |
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (19.15 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Doyle_Gina.pdf http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses5/id/22195 |
op_rights |
The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. |
_version_ |
1766112468409516032 |