Patterns of the reproductive cycle in two sea urchins from the gulf of Mannar
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Authors
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RAJU SARAVANAN
Marine Biodiversity & Environment Management Division, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapam - 623 520, Tamil Nadu, India
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PAULSAMY RAMESHKUMAR
Mariculture Division, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapam - 623 520, Tamil Nadu, India
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PAULRAJ JAWAHAR
Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukkudi - 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords:
Echiniculture, Gulf of Mannar, Roe, Salmacis virgulata, Sea urchin, Temnopleurus toreumaticusAbstract
A detailed investigation was undertaken for two years (2013- 2015) to study the seasonal gametogenic activity of two species of sea urchins, Salmacis virgulata and Temnopleurus toreumaticus, along the Mandapam coast of the Gulf of Mannar. The monthly changes in the developmental stages of the gonads of sea urchins, S. virgulata and T. toreumaticus, have indicated that peak spawning occurs in September. The overall sex ratio of S. virgulata and T. toreumaticus in the present study did not deviate from 1:1. The long spawning of these urchin species over two periods of time during the observation period shows that both species of sea urchin studied have a semi-annual and annual reproductive season in the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem. S. virgulata's season is Feb-Mar and Sep-Jan; T. toreumaticus's is Dec-Jan and Oct-Mar. This baseline study would help in the future to identify and prioritize the candidate species of sea urchin from India for echiniculture opportunities.
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