Reproduction of Clypeaster ravenelii (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the northern Gulf of Mexico

摘要: Summary The irregular echinoid Clypeaster ravenelii is a conspicuous component of offshore (50–230 m depth) epibenthic communities in the northern Gulf Mexico. Nonetheless, no information available on its reproductive biology. Gonad condition was evaluated between November 1988 and March 1991. C. exhibited an annual cycle with spawning late February. Timing gonadal production highly consistent years. However, magnitude much higher 1991 than earlier Annual patterns indexes (in large part accumulation nutritive material) were not significantly correlated changes bottom sea water temperature. gametogenesis were, however, synchronized increasing day length during winter. This suggests that may serve as exogenous proximate cue for and/or spawning, at least populations within photic zone. Similar to most members ...