The reproduction of Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) in southern Spain
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1
University of Málaga, Biologia Animal, Spain
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2
Universidad de Malaga, Servicios Centrales de Apoyo a la Investigación, Spain
Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) is a common cnidarian that occurs in the intertidal and shallow sublittoral zones, mainly on rocky platform or boulder beaches. The species has a broad distribution from the Atlantic coast of Europe to West Sahara, and in the Mediterranean. Anemonia sulcata is a popular seafood item (known locally as "ortiguilla") in southern Spain, and this is currently being promoted in eastern and northern Spain. Because of that, there is an increasing fishery of this sea anemone in Andalucía, where production zones and minimum weight of capture have been established by the regional authorities. The sea anemones have sexual and asexual reproduction; during the sexual reproduction germ cells arise in the mesenterial gastrodermal layer and migrate to the mesoglea, where their maturation takes place. The reproduction system is simple, and they have no true gonads nor special ducts for the emission of the gametes, which enter the gastrovascular cavity breaking through the mesenterial epithelium. The reproductive cycle of A. sulcata has been only studied by Schaefer (1984) in Naples (Italy).
In order to provide data for a more sustainable fishery and a better management of this resource, a study of the sexual reproduction of A. sulcata in one zone of production from the littoral of Málaga was carried out from November 2014 to September 2015, using histological methods. A total of 123 specimens were examined, with a size range (as diameter of the basal disc) from 1.1 to 48.2 mm. Each specimen was also weighted in order to analyze the correlation between size and weight for management criteria; the weights of the studied specimens ranged from 0.6 to 88.8 g. The specimens were anesthetized with magnesium chloride and fixed in 10% formaldehyde, before their inclusion in paraffin. There were 41 females and 24 males with recognizable germ cells, with a sex-ratio of 1.7 females: 1 male (χ2 = 4.45, p<0.01). The germ cells (spermatozoids and oocytes) are developed inside germinal vesicles that are located in the mesenteries, which are broken during the emission. There are zooxanthellae in the mesenteries and also inside the oocytes. The studied population shows an extended reproductive cycle, with presence of sexual active individuals during all the year, and a peak of emission from March to May. The size of sexual maturity of the studied population from Málaga was 22.5 mm of diameter of basal disc. The weight of sexual maturity was also calculated, being of 20.5 g. A positive correlation between diameter of basal disc and weight was obtained, resulting in that both variables can be used as legal parameter for fishery management. The minimum weight of capture for A. sulcata established by the regional authorities in Andalucía is 15 g, which according to our data would be too low and inaccurate for the sustainability of this fishery.
References
Schäefer, W. (1984). Fortpflanzung und Entwicklung von Anemonla sulcata (Anthozoa, Actiniaria). I. Fortpflanzungszyklus und
Struktur der Oocyten vor und nach der Besamung. Helgol. Meeresunters., 38 (2): 135-148.
Keywords:
sea anemone,
Seafood,
Andalucia,
artesanal fishery,
Reproduction
Conference:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
4. FISHERIES, AQUACULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Citation:
Utrilla
O,
Salas
C,
Navas
F and
Gofas
S
(2016). The reproduction of Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) in southern Spain.
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00205
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Received:
29 Apr 2016;
Published Online:
03 Sep 2016.
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Correspondence:
Ms. Carmen Salas, University of Málaga, Biologia Animal, Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain, casanova@uma.es