Population structure and feeding ecology of the bat star Asterina stellifera (Möbius, 1859): Omnivory on subtidal rocky bottoms of temperate seas

Farias, Nahuel Emiliano; Meretta, Pablo Ezequiel; Cledón, Maximiliano

doi:10.1016/j.seares.2012.02.002

Cited by 10 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Although storage of nutrients in pyloric caeca is a dynamic process, our results suggest that there is no clear transfer of nutrients between pyloric caeca and gonads. This species is able to feed over a wide range of preys (Farias et al, 2012). It seems that gamete proliferation in this population may not depend on the nutrients storage in the pyloric caeca because of a good nutritional level due to constant food supply.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The construction of coastal break waters along the coast of Argentina led to a decrease in abundance of intertidal populations in recent decades (Roux, 2004). In contrast, Farias et al (2012) reported that the subtidal population of A.…”

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…However, low densities in the northern limits are attributed to thermic limitations of adults which may be related to the species physiological and life history characteristics (Compton et al, 2007;Osovitz and Hofmann, 2007;Stillman, 2002). Farias et al (2012) demonstrate that the Argentinian population is present in high densities. In contrast, the Brazilian population presents low densities (Meretta and Ventura, unpublished data).…”

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This bat star is one of the few asteroid species in the rocky coast of the South Atlantic Ocean and there is little published information on the life history of this species. A. stellifera is an omnivorous generalist predator, and modifies the abundance of other invertebrates and algae in subtidal marine communities (Farias et al, 2012).…”

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Understanding the population dynamics and the reproductive biology of the endangered bat star A. stellifera is important to elucidate potential causes of the scarce recruitment that was reported at range limits (Farias et al, 2012;MMA, 2004). In this study, we evaluate whether the Argentinian population of A. stellifera is sexually active and the geographic variation in reproductive traits at the distribution limits.…”

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Meretta

Rubilar

Cledón

et al. 2014

Journal of Sea Research

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The reproductive cycle and environmental cues that regulate gonad production in Asterina stellifera were studied from April 2009 to April 2011 in a rocky subtidal habitat at the southernmost limit of its distribution (Mar del Plata, Argentina). The geographic variation in reproductive traits between latitudinal range limits was analyzed. The gonadal and pyloric caeca weight varied with sea star size and time in both sexes. Despite a previous study suggested absence of recruitment in a 4 years period, our data of the same period demonstrated that spawning happens from early spring to early summer. The gonad and pyloric caeca weight did not show an inverse relationship, this suggested that there is no dependence on energy transfer between the organs and that the bat star presented a good nutritional state. Seawater temperature appears to be the variable explaining gonad proliferation at the range limits of A. stellifera distribution. Furthermore, differences in sex ratio, oocyte production, oogenesis duration and capability of energy transformation into ova were found between range limits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Accepted M Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Meretta

Rubilar

Cledón

et al. 2014

Journal of Sea Research

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What and when to eat? Investigating the feeding habits of an intertidal herbivorous starfish

2016

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Monitoring and assessing a 2-year outbreak of the corallivorous seastar Acanthaster planci in Ari Atoll, Republic of Maldives

Saponari

Montalbetti

Galli

et al. 2018

Environ Monit Assess

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Outbreaks of the corallivorous crown-of-thorns seastars have received increasing attention due to their negative impacts on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. However, outbreaks in remote and dislocated islands are still poorly understood. This study aims to begin filling informational gaps regarding outbreaks of Acanthaster planci in the remote islands of the central Ari Atoll, Republic of Maldives. The population of A. planci was monitored during three periods over 2 years (2015-2016) to evaluate variations in abundance and to characterise size structure and feeding behaviour. The outbreak appeared to be severe and active throughout the entire study period. The size structure analysis revealed a multimodal distribution dominated by individuals between 20 and 30 cm, suggesting that the outbreak may have resulted from a few nearby mass spawning events. Additionally, the most abundant live coral was Porites, which was also the most consumed genus; however, the electivity index showed a preference for corals of the genera Favites and Pavona. Finally, we also highlighted the need for more geographically extended surveys to better understand local patterns regarding outbreaks of A. planci in the Republic of Maldives.

show abstract

Population structure and feeding ecology of the bat star Asterina stellifera (Möbius, 1859): Omnivory on subtidal rocky bottoms of temperate seas

Cited by 10 publications

References 44 publications

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

Geographical implications of seasonal reproduction in the bat star Asterina stellifera

What and when to eat? Investigating the feeding habits of an intertidal herbivorous starfish

Monitoring and assessing a 2-year outbreak of the corallivorous seastar Acanthaster planci in Ari Atoll, Republic of Maldives

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