Reproduction and condition of the scallop Adamussium colbecki (Smith 1902), the sea-urchin Sterechinus neumayeri (Meissner, 1900) and the sea-star Odontaster validus Koehler, 1911 at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea): different strategies related to inter-annual variations in food availability

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: CHIANTORE, MARIACHIARA, CATTANEO VIETTI, RICCARDO, ELIA L., GUIDETTI M., ANTONINI M.
• Other Authors: Chiantore, Mariachiara, CATTANEO VIETTI, Riccardo, Elia, L., Guidetti, M., Antonini, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Adamussium colbecki; Sterechinus neumayeri; Odontaster validu; Reproduction; food availability; Antarctica; McMurdo Sound; Ross Sea; Terra Nova Bay; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11567/251600; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-001-0331-1

Soft-bottom zoobenthic communities at Terra Nova Bay down to 100 m depth are mainly characterised by the presence of three species, generally occurring together and reaching high values of density: the scallop Adamussium colbecki (Smith 1902), the echinoid Sterechinus neumayeri (Meissner 1900) and the asteroid Odontaster validus Koehler 1911. These three species have a planktotrophic larval behaviour, but differ in terms of extent of gametogenic cycle and in feeding behaviour. The aim of this work is to give a first account of their reproductive conditions at Terra Nova Bay, comparing two following summer seasons, characterised by quite different ice-coverage and, consequently, food availability in the water column. The comparative analysis of the data evidences strong inter-annual differences in the scallop, a suspension-feeding species. In contrast, no significant changes were found in the two echinoderms, suggesting that a 2-year oogenic cycle, coupled with the opportunistic feeding behaviour, allow successful management of inter-annual shortcomings in food supply. On a latitudinal perspective, the comparison between data from McMurdo Sound and Terra Nova Bay shows small (for the echinoderms) or greater (for the scallop) geographical shifts in spawning occurrence.