On the reproduction of the Mediterranean keystone limpetPatella rustica: histological overview

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of the high shore limpet Patella rustica is described based on histological analysis as the primary method of staging gonad development. Sex-ratios, shell length at sexual maturity, gonad developmental stages, mean gonad index and oocyte size were investigated. Males and females were found to differ in size distribution, with females becoming more prevalent from ~28 mm onwards. The estimated shell length at which 50% of males were sexually mature was 13.1 mm. Patella rustica has only one reproductive cycle per year with a spawning peak between November and December for both sexes, and gonad redevelopment from January. First data on the size–frequency analysis of oocytes for this species are also presented, concurring with the qualitative analysis of the gonad developmental stages. This study presents updated information on the reproductive cycle of this keystone species and provides the first account of the reproductive biology of P. rustica in the Adriatic Sea.

Life-history trait of the Mediterranean keystone species Patella rustica: growth and microbial bioerosion

“…According to the reproductive study from the same location (Prusina et al, 2014b), P. rustica has a prolonged period of gamete development starting from February and extending to September when majority of limpets (70 % of females and 100 % of males) contained gonads in late developmental stages. The spawning peak was in November and December for both sexes, followed by planktotrophic larval stage in December (Prusina et al, 2014b). The assumption is that limpet's larvae can spend up to 4 weeks in plankton before settlement, however, due to their weak swimming activity they act as passive particles.…”

“…1), situated in the southeastern Adriatic Sea, near the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia (42°41'40.77''N,18°02'32.19''E). Seawater temperature varied during the time of collection from 12.5 °C in February to 25.8 °C in September, and air temperatures from 7.5 °C in February to 27.1 °C in August (see Prusina et al, 2014b). To validate growth line formation, 3 to 6 small individuals (shell length < 17 mm) were collected monthly from July 2011 to June 2012.…”

“…Since the reproductive peak of P. rustica was in November (see Prusina et al, 2014b), the birth date was set as December 1st. Consequently, a first growth line represents six months instead of twelve and this calculation was taken into account when estimating the age and growth of P. rustica.…”

Population Characteristics of the Limpet Patella caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) in Eastern Mediterranean (Central Greece)

“…A secondary spawning was observed in January for both sexes [101]. It has been reported [102] that limpets spawn in winter (November, January, February, March) in south eastern Australia, whereas in Adriatic Sea the reproductive cycle of P. rustica is between November and December [36].…”

“…Although a number of studies have been carried out on the biology, distribution, and ecology of Patella species in the Mediterranean Sea [7,14,15,25,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36], little is known on the occurrence and population characteristics of P. caerulea in eastern Mediterranean, apart from fragmented information (morphometry, distribution, ecology, reproduction) occasionally collected in the framework of several ecological studies [26,[37][38][39][40][41].…”