Observations of reproductive strategies for some dendrochirotid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida)

P. Mark O'Loughlin, John Eichler, Leon Altoff, Audrey Falconer, Melanie Mackenzie, Emily Whitfield and Chris Rowley

Memoirs of Museum Victoria Vol 66 (2) p. 215–220 (2009)

DOI: http://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2009.66.19

Abstract

Some recently observed dendrochirotid holothuroid reproductive strategies are reported for the fi rst time: fissiparity by Cucuvitrum rowei O’Loughlin and O’Hara; probable intra-coelomic brood fissiparity by Staurothyone inconspicua (Bell); intra-coelomic brood-protection by a species of Parathyonidium Heding; intra-coelomic brood auto-ingestion by Neoamphicyclus materiae O’Loughlin; brood-protection in anterior interradial marsupia by Psolidiella mollis (Ludwig and Heding). Some analysis is reported of marsupial brood-protection by Antarctic dendrochirotid holothuroids: the “Cucumaria georgiana group”; Echinopsolus acanthocola Gutt; Echinopsolus parvipes Massin; Microchoerus splendidus Gutt; Psolidiella mollis (Ludwig and Heding); Psolus charcoti Vaney. Confusion in the literature about brood-protection by the Subantarctic dendrochirotid Cladodactyla crocea (Lesson) is clarified.

Citation

O'Loughlin, P.M., Eichler, J., Altoff, L., Falconer, A., Mackenzie, M., Whitfield,, E. & Rowley, C., 2009. Observations of reproductive strategies for some dendrochirotid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 66: 215-220. http://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2009.66.19

PUBLICATION DATE: 31 December 2009