Annual reproductive cycles in four species of West Coast starfishes

Reproductive output and consistency of source populations in the sea star Pisaster ochraceus

“…As observed in previous studies of Pisaster (Feder 1956, Farmanfarmaian et al 1958, Greenfield 1959, Mauzey 1966, Pearse & Eernisse 1982, there was generally a cyclical, inverse relationship between the size of the pyloric caeca and the gonads. Based on this pattern, earlier authors inferred that surplus energy stored in the pyloric caeca was directed toward gonad production during the winter (Farmanfarmaian et al 1958, Mauzey 1966. Here, we demonstrate that there is a predictive relationship between the size of the pyloric caeca in the fall and gonad volume during the following spring (Fig.…”

“…Following collection, sea stars were held in seawater tables at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon, for 24 h, and then dissected following established methods (Farmanfarmaian et al 1958, Mauzey 1966. Prior to dissection, sea stars were anesthetized for 15 to 20 min in an isotonic solution of MgCl 2 and seawater.…”

“…Pisaster is dioecious and iteroparous, with broadcast spawning occurring annually during the spring (April to June, depending on latitude and photoperiod ;Feder 1956, Farmanfarmaian et al 1958, Greenfield 1959, Mauzey 1966, Pearse & Eernisse 1982. During periods of heavy feeding, Pisaster stores resources in extensions of the pyloric stomach called the pyloric caeca.…”

Castration and mortality in Pisaster ochraceus parasitized by Orchitophrya stellarum (Ciliophora)

“…The female gonadal index in 1989 (14.70 %) was not significantly different (p < 0.05) from the male index in 1985 and did not differ greatly from the peak gonadal indices (13 to 16 %) reported by Feder (1957) or Nimitz (1971Nimitz ( , 1976. These data were taken in April and May when gonadal indices in Pisaster ochraceus are normally at their prespawning peaks (Feder 1957, Farmanfarmaian et al 1958, Mauzey 1966, Nimitz 1976, Fraser et al 1981). …”

Cycle et comportement de reproduction du neogasteropode Buccinum undatum L dans le golfe Saint-Laurent

“…Lorsque la ponte a lieu, de la fin mal jusqu'à juillet-août, les poids moyens de l'ovaire et ( Farmanfarmaian et al, 1958;Mauzey, 1966;Barker et Nichols, 1983). Cest ce qui semble être le cas chez le buccin, qui se nourrit peu durant cette période.…”