INVESTIGADORES
BIGATTI Gregorio
artículos
Título:
The reproductive cycle of the entocommensal nemertean Malacobdella arrokeana
Autor/es:
S. VALERIA TESO, GREGORIO BIGATTI, M. CIELO BAZTERRICA, NESTOR F. CIOCCO & PABLO E. PENCHASZADEH.
Revista:
INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
Editorial:
WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Referencias:
Año: 2006 vol. 125 p. 314 - 324
ISSN:
1077-8306
Resumen:
Abstract. Obseravtions on the reproductive cycle of the entocommensal nemertean Malacobdella arrokeana inhabiting Panopea abbreviata from San Jose Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina, and the nemertean-host relationship were investigated. The mature nemertean population showed a sex ratio of 1:0.64, with females predominating. The number of M. arrokeana per host showed a great variation from 1 to 62 individuals (Mean ± SD = 3.7 ± 9.4mm). Different stages of gonadic development were observed in the same nemertean individuals. Partially spawning peaks took place during late summer and early spring, in coincidence with increasing water temperature, longer photoperiods and phytoplankton blooms. Sexually mature individuals of both sexes were present all year round, indicating a continuous breeding period. Our results suggest that M. arrokeana has no cannibalistic habits and an entocommensal behavior could be assumed.
