Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatio-temporal variability in the gonad growth of Ophiothrix fragilis (Echinodermata: ophiuroidea) in the English Channel and estimation of carbon and nitrogen outputs towards the pelagic system

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ophiothrix fragilis forms dense aggregations

(up to 2000 individuals. m-2) and represents more than 60% of the biomass on the pebbles of the sessile epifauna community in the Dover Strait (eastern English Channel). This population shows a relative stability (in terms of density and magnitude of benthic recruitment) which contrasts with the variability of influx and of local hydrodynamical conditions. Gonadal change was studied in the Dover Strait during 1995 and 1996 and for another population offshore Roscoff (western English Channel) in 1996. Gonadal growth appeared to be cyclical, with higher gonad indices in June and July and a resting phase between September and February for the population of the English Channel. This change showed little inter-annual variability for the population of the Dover Strait, but a high spatial variability between populations of the English Channel. The population offshore Roscoff had lower gonad indices; this difference could be linked to lower temperature and lower food availability (phytoplanktonic production). However, whatever the gonadal growth pattern was, the main spawning of July was synchronous for females and males in both areas. Carbon and nitrogen production towards the pelagic system during the spawning period was very important (up to 20 g C. m-2 and 5 g N. m-2) and was up to 16% and 13% of the annual carbon and nitrogen production of the population in the Dover Strait. After the spawning period, larvae are brought under strong hydrodynamic conditions during ca. four weeks before metamorphosis and settlement. This is probably the most important period for the understanding of the stability of the population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allain, J. Y., 1974. Ecologie des bancs d'Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) dans le golfe normanno-breton. Cah. Biol. mar. 15: 255–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, M. F. & R. A. Xu, 1991. Population differences in gonad and pyloric caeca of the New Zealand seastar Sclerasterias mollis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Mar. Biol. 108: 97–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bligh, E. G. & W. J. Dyer, 1959. A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can. J. Bioch. Physiol. 37: 911–917.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourgoin, A. & M. Guillou, 1990. Variations in the reproductive cycle of Acrocnida brachiata (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) according to environment in the Bay of Douarnenez (Brittany). J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 70: 57–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowmer, T., 1982. Reproduction in Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea): seasonality in gonad development. Mar. Biol. 69: 281–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, M. M., 1976. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal. Biochem. 72: 248–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabioch, L., 1968. Contribution à la connaissance des peuplements benthiques de la Manche occidentale. Cah. Biol. mar. 9, 5 (suppl.): 493–720.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabioch, L. & R. Glaçon, 1975. Distribution des peuplements benthiques en Manche orientale, de la baie de Somme au Pas-de-Calais. C. r. Acad. Sci., Paris (sér. D) 280: 491–494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabioch, L. & R. Glaçon, 1977. Distribution des peuplements benthiques en Manche orientale, du cap d'Antifer à la baie de Somme. C. r. Acad. Sci., Paris (sér. D) 285: 209–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davoult, D., 1989. Structure démographique et production de la population d'Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard) du détroit du Pas de Calais (France). Vie Marine, hors série 10: 116–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davoult, D., 1990. Biofaciés et structure trophique du peuplement des cailloutis du Pas de Calais (France). Oceanol. Acta 13: 335–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davoult, D., F. Gounin & A. Richard, 1990. Dynamique et reproduction de la population d'Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard) du détroit du Pas de Calais (Manche orientale). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 138: 201–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davoult, D., N. Degros, M. A. Janquin & B. Soyez, 1992. Biometrics, carbon and nitrogen content in the ophiuroid Ophiothrix fragilis. J. mar. biol. Ass.U. K. 72: 915–918.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davoult, D., F. Dewailly & A. Migné, 1998. Carbon and nitrogen budget of a dense population of the suspension-feeding ophiuroid Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard) in a macrotidal coastal ecosystem. Proceedings of the ninth international echinoderm conference. San Francisco, California, 5–9 August 1996. Mooi & Telford (eds), Balkema, Rotterdam: 337–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenaux, L., 1970. Maturation of the gonads and seasonal cycle of planktonic larvae of the ophiuroid Amphiura chiajei (Forbes). Biol. Bull. 138: 262–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenaux, L., 1972. Evolution saisonnière des gonades chez l'Ophiure Ophioderma longicauda (Retzius), Ophiuroidea. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr. 57: 257–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenaux, L., 1980. Cycles saisonniers de reproduction et croissance larvaire chez les échinodermes. Oceanis 6: 277–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenaux, L., M. F. Strathmann & R. R. Strathmann,1994. Five tests of food-limited growth of larvae in coastal waters by comparisons of rates of development and form of echinoplutei. Limnol. Oceanogr. 39: 84–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentil, F., 1976. Distribution des peuplements benthiques en baie de Seine. Thèse 3ème cycle, Univ. Paris VI: 70pp.

  • Gentil, F. & B. Zakardjian, 1990. Reproductive cycle of the ophiuroid Acrocnida brachiata (Montagu) in the Bay of Seine (English Channel). In De Ridder, Dubois, Lahaye & Jangoux (eds), Echinoderm Research. Balkema, Rotterdam: 83–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C., 1958. Comparative physiology: annual reproductive cycles of marine invertebrates. Ann. Rev. Pl. Physiol. 21: 547–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C., 1966. On the biochemical constitution of some echinoderms. In Boolootian, R. A. (ed.), Physiology of the Echinodermata. Wiley, New York: 757–796.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonor, J. J., 1972. Gonad growth in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) and the assumptions of gonad index methods. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 10: 89–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonor, J. J., 1973. Reproductive cycles in Oregon populations of the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson). I. Annual gonad growth and ovarian gametogenic cycles. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 12: 45–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gounin, F., 1993. L'ophiure Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard): biologie, éthologie alimentaire et rôle molysmologique dans le détroit du Pas-de-Calais (France). Thèse de Doctorat, Univ. Lille I, Station Marine de Wimereux: 210 pp.

  • Greenfield, L., A. C. Giese, A. Farmanfarmaian & R. A. Boolootian, 1958. Cyclic biochemical changes in several echinoderms. J. exp. Zool. 139: 507–524.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guille, A., 1964. Contribution à l'étude de la systématique et de l'écologie d'Ophiothrix quinquemaculata. Vie Milieu 15: 243–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillou, J. & R. Robert, 1980. Principaux aspects de la dynamique d'une population d'Ophiura texturata en baie de Douarnenez. In Jangoux, M. (ed.), Echinoderms Present and Past. Balkema Rotterdam: 171–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendler, G. & P. A. Tyler, 1986. The reproductive cycle of Ophioderma brevispinum (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). Mar. Ecol. 7: 115–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendler, G., 1991. Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea. Chapter 6. In Giese, A. C., J. S. Pearse & V. B. Pearse (eds), Reproduction of Marine Invertebrates. Volume 6. Echinoderms and Lophophorates, Boxwood Press, Pacific Grove, California: 355–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoch, T., 1995. Modélisation du cycle biogéochimique des éléments limitant la production biologique en Manche (N, P, Si). Thèse de Doctorat de l'université de Paris VI: 205 pp.

  • Holland, N. D., 1967. Gametogenesis during the annual reproductive cycle of a cidaroid sea urchin (Stylocidaris affinis). Biol. Bull. 133: 578–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holme, N. A., 1966. The bottom fauna of the English Channel. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 57: 339–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. M., A. L. Lawrence & A. C. Giese, 1966. Role of the gut as a nutrient-storage organ in the purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus). Physiol. Zool. 39: 281–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. M., 1973. Level, content, and caloric equivalents of the lipid, carbohydrate, and protein in the body components of Luidia clathrata (Echinodermata: Platyasterida) in Tampa Bay. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 11: 263–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Migné, A., 1996. Rôle des organismes suspensivores dans les transferts pelago-benthique d'une zone de fort hydrodynamisme (Détroit du Pas de Calais, Manche orientale): flux et bilans d'azote et de carbone. Thèse, Univ. Lille I: 181 pp.

  • Migné, A. & D. Davoult, 1997. Distribution quantitative de la macrofaune benthique du peuplement des cailloutis dans le détroit du Pas de Calais (Manche orientale, France). Oceanol. Acta 20: 453–460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Agricultures, Fisheries and Food (M.A.F.F.), 1981. Atlas of the Seas around the British Isles.

  • Minor, M. A. & R. E. Scheibling, 1997. Effects of food ration and feeding regime on growth and reproduction of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Mar. Biol. 129: 159–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oudejans, R. C. H. M. & I. Van der Sluis, 1979. Changes in the biochemical composition of the ovaries of the seastar Asterias rubens during its annual reproductive cycle. Mar. Biol. 50: 255–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pande, S. V., R. Parvin Khan & T. A. Venkitasubramanian, 1963. Microdetermination of lipids and serum total fatty acids. Anal. Biochem. 6: 415–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, T. R., M. Yoshiaki & M. C. Lalli, 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater analysis. Pergamon Press: 250 pp.

  • Pearse, J. S., 1965. Reproductive periodicities in several contrasting populations of Odontaster validus Koehler, a common Antartic asteroid. Antartic Res. 5: 39–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retière, C., 1979. Contribution à la connaissance des peuplements benthiques du golfe normanno-breton. Thèse d'Etat, Univ. Rennes: 421 pp.

  • Roushdi, H. M. & V. K. Hansen, 1960. Ophiurids feeding on phytoplankton. Nature 188: 517–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheltema, R. R., 1986. On dispersal and planktonic larvae of benthic invertebrates: an eclectic overview and summary of problems. Bull. mar. Sci. 39: 290–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherrer, B., 1984. Biostatistiques. Gaëtan Morin, Canada: 850 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirai, H. & C. W. Walker, 1988. Chemical control of asexual and sexual reproduction in Echinoderms. Endocrinology of selected invertebrates types: 453–476.

  • Vevers, H. G., 1949. The biology of Asterias rubens (L. ). I. Growth and reproduction. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 28: 165–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vevers, H. G., 1952. A photographic survey of certain areas of sea-floor near Plymouth. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 31: 215–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner, G. F., 1971. On the ecology of a dense bed of the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 51: 267–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner, G. F. & J. D. Woodley, 1975. Suspension-feeding in the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 55: 199–210.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Station Marine de Wimereux, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, B.P. 80, F-62930, Wimereux, France

    A. Lefebvre, D. Davoult & M. A. Janquin

  2. Station Biologique de Roscoff, Université P. & M. Curie, Paris VI, B.P. 74, F-29682, Roscoff Cedex, France

    F. Gentil

Authors
  1. A. Lefebvre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Davoult
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Gentil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. A. Janquin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lefebvre, A., Davoult, D., Gentil, F. et al. Spatio-temporal variability in the gonad growth of Ophiothrix fragilis (Echinodermata: ophiuroidea) in the English Channel and estimation of carbon and nitrogen outputs towards the pelagic system. Hydrobiologia 414, 25–34 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003827532385

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003827532385

Search

Navigation