Mating system and evidence of multiple paternity in the Antarctic brooding sea urchin Abatus agassizii

摘要: Broadcasting is the predominant spawning behavior among benthic marine invertebrates, mainly associated with planktotrophic and planktonic lecitotrophic development. allows genetic mixing that should contribute to increase diversity of a female clutch. Conversely, in brooding species characterized by protected development, oocytes are retained only sperm released, which supposed limit number males This spermcasting together egg retention, unusually frequent Antarctic putatively give brooders low dispersal capacities may reduce generate kinship structure at small spatial scale. Like many other irregular sea urchin Abatus agassizii spermcaster broods its young. In this study, we assessed 66 adults using 6 polymorphic microsatellite loci performed progeny array analyses order evaluate mates per as well A. exhibited polyandric system 2–5 regardless population density. Bayesian suggested absence along our 20-m transect, while relatedness individuals did not differ from expected under panmixia. Finally, conclude limited clutch, probably consequence movement be sufficient avoid population.