Keywords
estrella de mar; densidad poblacional; caracterización poblacional; monitoreo temporal; reproducción in situ.
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: The red starfish (Echinaster sepositus) is one of the most common asteroid species in the Mediterranean Sea. However, information about their biology or their role in benthic communities is scarce.
Objective: This study aims to provide new information on the ecology of this species through the temporal characterization of the population of E. sepositus in Cala del Racó (Alicante, Spain) and the in situ monitoring of its reproductive cycle.
Methods: For this purpose, three study areas were established at different depths. For each of the recorded starfish, data about the size, the substrate on which it was found, the area, the depth and the sex in the case of observing the reproduction were collected.
Results: A total of 19 samplings have been carried out throughout a year of study. In this way, it has been possible to observe that the density of individuals increases in the shallower zone during autumn and winter, when the temperature drops to 14.13 ºC, while it decreases in spring and summer when the temperature rises to 27.17 ºC. Those results are reversed in the deepest part of the study. The highest density of individuals (0.51 ind/m2) occurred in October. Arborescent photophilic algae and crustose coralline algae were the substrates with the highest number of E. sepositus recorded. Medium to large specimens are located preferably on crustose coralline algae or arborescent photophilic algae, while smaller individuals were mostly located on Posidonia oceanica. No specimens of E. sepositus were observed spawning.
Conclusions: Data leads to assume that there is a migration of starfishes towards more superficial areas when the water is at colder temperature and towards deeper areas when the temperature increases. It is valued the possibility that there is a change in the nutritional needs of E. sepositus throughout its development. According to our observations, the future reproduction studies should be concentrated between late-summer and early-autumn.
References
Abbiati, M., Scanu, M., & García-March, J. R. (2017). A first survey on the status of the Posidonia oceanica meadow in Calpe Bay (Alicante, Spain) [Unpublished Bachelor’s Thesis]. University de Bologna.
Bacallado, J. J., Moreno, E., & Ruzafa, A. P. (2020). Echinodermata (Canary Islands)—Provisional checklist. In B. F. Keegan, & B. D. S. O’Connor (Eds.), Echinodermata (pp. 149–151). CRC Press.
Balshine, S. (2012). Patterns of parental care in vertebrates. In N. J. Royle, P. T. Smiseth, & M. Kölliker (Eds.), The evolution of parental care (pp. 62–80). Oxford University Press.
Barker, M. F., & Xu, R. A. (1991). Seasonal changes in biochemical composition of body walls, gonads and pyloric caeca in two populations of Sclerasterias mollis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) during the annual reproductive cycle. Marine Biology, 109, 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01320228
Basch, L. V., & Pearse, J. S. (2022). Does larval food availability ultimately select for seasonal reproduction in marine invertebrates with feeding larvae? A field test of Crisp’s Rule with the temperate sea star Pisaster ochraceus. Marine Ecology, 43, e12694. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12694
Benítez-Villalobos, F. B., Tyler, P. A., & Young, C. M. (2006). Temperature and pressure tolerance of embryos and larvae of the Atlantic starfishes Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea): potential for deep-sea invasion. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 314, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps314109
Bodí Broseta, A. (2019). Ensayo de regeneración tisular postamputación y estudio biométrico de la estrella de mar Echinaster sepositus (Retzius, 1783) [Unpublished Bachelor’s Thesis]. Catholic University of Valencia.
Bos, A. R., Gumanao, G. S., & Salac, F. N. (2008). A newly discovered predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish. Coral Reefs, 27, 581–581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-008-0364-9
Brooks, W. R., & Gwaltney, C. L. (1993). Protection of symbiotic cnidarians by their hermit crab hosts: evidence for mutualism. Symbiosis, 15, 1–13.
Byrne, M., Cerra, A., & Villinski, J. T. (1999). Oogenic strategies in the evolution of development in Patiriella (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Invertebrate Reproduction & Development, 36, 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/07924259.1999.9652700
Caballero, H., Alcolado, P. M., González, P., Perera, S., & Hernández-Fernández, L. (2000). Protocolo para el monitoreo de bentos en arrecifes coralinos. Versión ajustada a partir del método de campo AGRRA 2000. Centro Nacional de Áreas Protegidas.
Carvalho, A. L. P. S., & Ventura, C. R. R. (2002). The reproductive cycle of Asterina stellifera (Möbius) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Cabo Frio region, southeastern Brazil. Marine Biology, 141, 947–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-002-0881-y
Čech, M., Kratochvíl, M., Kubečka, J., Draštík, V., & Matěna, J. (2005). Diel vertical migrations of bathypelagic perch fry. Journal of Fish Biology, 66(3), 685–702. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-1112.2005.00630.x
Chapman, M. G., & Underwood, A. J. (2008). Scales of variation of gastropod densities over multiple spatial scales: comparison of common and rare species. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 354, 147–160. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07205
Chen, B. Y., & Chen, C. P. (1992). Reproductive cycle, larval development, juvenile growth and population dynamics of Patiriella pseudoexigua (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Taiwan. Marine Biology, 113, 271–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347281
Christensen, A. M. (1970). Feeding biology of Astropecten. Ophelia, 8, 2–127.
Cisneros, A. G. (2016). Estructura, distribución e historia evolutiva de las poblaciones de estrellas de mar Echinaster sepositus y Coscinasterias tenuispina [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Barcelona.
Clark, A. M., & Downey, M. E. (1992). Starfishes of the Atlantic. Chapman & Hall.
Cognetti, G., & Delavault, R. (1962). La sexualite des asterides. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 3, 157–182.
Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana (1987, January 19). Decree 1/1987. Decreto por el que se declara Parque Natural el Penyal d’Ifac. Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana. https://dogv.gva.es/auto/dogv/docvpub/rlgv/1987/D_1987_001_ca_D_2015_040.pdf
Consejo de las Comunidades Europeas. (1992, May 21). Directive 79/409/CEE. Directiva relativa a la conservación de los hábitats naturales y de la fauna y flora silvestres. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:es:PDF
Denny, M. W. (2006). Ocean waves, nearshore ecology, and natural selection. Aquatic Ecology, 40, 439–461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-004-5409-8
Entrambasaguas, L., Pérez-Ruzafa, Á., García-Charton, J. A., Stobart, B., & Bacallado, J. J. (2008). Abundance, spatial distribution and habitat relationships of echinoderms in the Cabo Verde Archipelago (eastern Atlantic). Marine and Freshwater Research, 59, 477–488. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF07109
Farmanfarmaian, A., Giese, A. C., Boolootian, R. A., & Bennett, J. (1958). Annual reproductive cycles in four species of west coast starfishes. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 138(2), 355–367. https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.1401380209
Ferguson, J. C. (1969). Feeding activity in Echinaster and its induction with dissolved nutrients. The Biological Bulletin, 136, 374–384.
Ferguson, J. C. (1975). The role of free amino acids in nitrogen storage during the annual cycle of a starfish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, 51, 341–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(75)90379-5
Ferguson, J. C. (1984). Translocative functions of the enigmatic organs of starfish—the axial organ, hemal vessels, Tiedemann’s bodies, and rectal caeca: An autoradiographic study. The Biological Bulletin, 166, 140–155.
Freeman, S. M., Richardson, C. A., & Seed, R. (2001). Seasonal abundance, spatial distribution, spawning and growth of Astropecten irregularis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 53(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1006/ecss.2000.0758
Gallagher, T., Richardson, C. A., Seed, R., & Jones, T. (2008). The seasonal movement and abundance of the starfish, Asterias rubens in relation to mussel farming practice: a case study from the Menai Strait, UK. Journal of Shellfish Research, 27(2), 1209–1215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2005.11.014
Georgiades, E. T., Temara, A., & Holdway, D. A. (2006). The reproductive cycle of the asteroid Coscinasterias muricata in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 332(2), 188–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2005.11.014
Gibson, R., Atkinson, R., Gordon, J., Smith, I., & Hughes, D. (2011). Impact of ocean warming and ocean acidification on marine invertebrate life history stages: vulnerabilities and potential for persistence in a changing ocean. Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review, 49, 1–42.
Grange, L. J., Tyler, P. A., & Peck, L. S. (2007). Multi-year observations on the gametogenic ecology of the Antarctic starfish Odontaster validus. Marine Biology, 153, 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0776-z
Guzmán, H. M., & Guevara, C. A. (2002). Population structure, distribution and abundance of three commercial species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata) in Panama. Caribbean Journal of Science, 38, 230–238.
GVA Viewer (2022). Institut Cartogràfic Valencià, Generalitat. https://visor.gva.es/visor/
Hancock, D. A. (1958). Notes on starfish on an Essex oyster bed. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 37, 565–589. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400005622
Hewitt, J. E., Thrush, S. F., Halliday, J., & Duffy, C. (2005). The importance of small-scale habitat structure for maintaining beta diversity. Ecology, 86, 1619–1626. https://doi.org/10.1890/04-1099
Jangoux, M., & Lawrence, J. M. (1982). Echinoderm nutrition. CRC Press.
Lafay, B., Smith, A. B., & Christen, R. (1995). A combined morphological and molecular approach to the phylogeny of asteroids (Asteroidea: Echinodermata). Systematic Biology, 44, 190–208. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/44.2.190
Lawrence, J. M. (2013). Starfish: biology and ecology of the Asteroidea. JHU Press.
Lopes, E. M., Pérez-Portela, R., Paiva, P. C., & Ventura, C. R. R. (2016). The molecular phylogeny of the starfish Echinaster (Asteroidea: Echinasteridae) provides insights for genus taxonomy. Invertebrate Biology, 135, 235–244. https://doi.org/10.1111/ivb.12135
Mah, C. L., & Blake, D. B. (2012). Global diversity and phylogeny of the Asteroidea (Echinodermata). PloS One, 7, e35644. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035644
Maldonado, M., & Uriz, M. J. (1998). Microrefuge exploitation by subtidal encrusting sponges: patterns of settlement and post-settlement survival. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 174, 141–150. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps174141
Mariante, F. L., Lemos, G. B., Eutrópio, F. J., Castro, R. R., & Gomes, L. C. (2010). Reproductive biology in the starfish Echinaster (Othilia) guyanensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in southeastern Brazil. Zoologia (Curitiba), 27(6), 897–901. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-46702010000600010
McEuen, F. S. (1988). Spawning behaviors of northeast Pacific sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata). Marine Biology, 98, 565–585. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391548
Mercier, A., & Hamel, J. F. (2009). Advances in marine biology: endogenous and exogenous control of gametogenesis and spawning in echinoderms. Academic Press.
Metcalfe, N. B., Fraser, N. H., & Burns, M. D. (1999). Food availability and the nocturnal vs. diurnal foraging trade-off in juvenile salmon. Journal of Animal Ecology, 68(2), 371–381. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00289.x
Minchin, D. (1987). Sea-water temperature and spawning behaviour in the starfish Marthasterias glacialis. Marine Biology, 95, 139–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00447495
Olivotto, I., Planas, M., Simões, N., Holt, G. J., Avella, M. A., & Calado, R. (2011). Advances in breeding and rearing marine ornamentals. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 42(2), 135–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-7345.2011.00453.x
Pastor-de-Ward, C. T., Rubilar, T., Díaz-de-Vivar, M. E., Gonzalez-Pisani, X., Zarate, E., Kroeck, M., & Morsan, E. (2007). Reproductive biology of Cosmasterias lurida (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) an anthropogenically influenced substratum from Golfo Nuevo, Northern Patagonia (Argentina). Marine Biology, 151, 205–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0479-x
Pearse, J. S., & Beauchamp, K. A. (1986). Photoperiodic regulation of feeding and reproduction in a brooding starfish from central California. International Journal of Invertebrate Reproduction & Development, 9, 289–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/01688170.1986.10510205
Pearse, J. S., & Bosch, I. (2002). Photoperiodic regulation of gametogenesis in the Antarctic Starfish Odontaster validus Koehler: evidence for a circannual rhythm modulated by light. Invertebrate Reproduction & Development, 41, 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1080/07924259.2002.9652737
Pearse, J. S., & Eernisse, D. J. (1982). Photoperiodic regulation of gametogenesis and gonadal growth in the starfish Pisaster ochraceus. Marine Biology, 67, 121–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401277
Pearse, J. S., & Walker, C. W. (1986). Photoperiodic regulation of gametogenesis in a North Atlantic Starfish, Asterias vulgaris. International Journal of Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 9, 71–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/01688170.1986.10510181
R Core Team (2022). R: A language and environment for statistical computing [Computer software]. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org/
Raisch, A. (2018). Variation of habitat for Echinaster sepositus and implications for habitat preference [Unpublished Bachelor’s Thesis]. University of Santa Cruz of California.
Raymond, J. F., Himmelman, J. H., & Guderley, H. E. (2007). Biochemical content, energy composition and reproductive effort in the broadcasting starfish Asterias vulgaris over the spawning period. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 341(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.10.030
Rubilar, T., Pastor de Ward, C. T., & Díaz de Vivar, M. E. (2005). Sexual and asexual reproduction of Allostichaster capensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Golfo Nuevo. Marine Biology, 146, 1083–1090. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1530-4
Sarà, M., & Vacelet, J. (1973). Ecologie des Demosponges, Traite de Zoologie. Anatomie, Systematique, Biologie (Vol. 3). Grassé PP.
Scheibling, R. E., & Lawrence, J. M. (1982). Differences in reproductive strategies of morphs of the genus Echinaster (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Biology, 70, 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397296
Scheibling, R. E., & Metaxas, A. (2008). Abundance, spatial distribution, and size structure of the starfish Protoreaster nodosus in Palau, with notes on feeding and reproduction. Bulletin of Marine Science, 82, 221–235.
Seixas, V. C., Ventura, C. R. R., & Paiva, P. C. (2019). The complete mitochondrial genome of the starfish Echinaster (Othilia) brasiliensis (Asteroidea: Echinasteridae). Conservation Genetics Resources, 11, 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-018-0986-3
Sloan, N. A. (1980). Aspects of feeding biology of asteroids. Oceanography and Marine Biology Annual Review, 18, 57–124.
Stewart, B. G., & Mladenov, P. V. (1997). Population structure, growth and recruitment of the euryalinid brittle-starfish Astrobrachion constrictum (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) in Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. Marine Biology, 127, 687–697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050059
Turner, R. L. (2013). Echinaster. In J. Lawrence (Ed.), Starfish: Biology and Ecology of the Asteroidea (pp. 200–214). JHU Press.
Underwood, A. J., & Chapman, M. G. (1996). Scales of spatial patterns of distribution of intertidal invertebrates. Oecologia, 107, 212–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327905
Uthicke, S., Schaffelke, B., & Byrne, M. (2009). A boom–bust phylum? Ecological and evolutionary consequences of density variations in echinoderms. Ecological Monographs, 79, 3–24. https://doi.org/10.1890/07-2136.1
Vasserot, J. (1961). Caractère hautement spécialisé du régime alimentaire chez les astérides Echinaster sepositus et Henricia sanguinolenta, prédateurs de spongiaires. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France, 86, 796–809.
Villamor, A., & Becerro, M. A. (2010). Matching spatial distributions of the starfish Echinaster sepositus and crustose coralline algae in shallow rocky Mediterranean communities. Marine Biology, 157, 2241–2251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1489-2
Villinski, J. T., Villinski, J. C., Byrne, M., & Raff, R. A. (2002). Convergent maternal provisioning and life-history evolution in echinoderms. Evolution, 56, 1764–1775. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0014-3820.2002.tb00190.x
Waddell, B., & Pawlik, J. R. (2000). Defenses of Caribbean sponges against invertebrate predators. II. Assays with starfishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 195, 133–144. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps195133
Wirtz, P., & Debelius, H. (2003). Mediterranean and Atlantic invertebrate guide. ConchBooks.
Zajac, R. N., Lewis, R. S., Poppe, L. J., Twichell, D. C., Vozarik, J., & DiGiacomo-Cohen, M. L. (2003). Responses of infaunal populations to benthoscape structure and the potential importance of transition zones. Limnology and Oceanography, 48(2), 829–842. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2003.48.2.0829
Comments
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.