Reproductive periodicity in Evechinus chloroticus in the Hauraki Gulf.

Abstract

Gametogenesis began in the spring, and major spawning occurring in mid to late summer. The proportion of the gonads taken up by nutritive phagocyte cells increased from autumn to spring. During proliferation and growth of gametes and nutritive phagocytes declined in abundance and globulation, suggesting that reserves stored in these cells were transferred to developing gametes. Although synchronous gametogenesis occurred in the 3 populations studied, spawning occurred at different times, which suggests that spawning was induced by factors acting either within sea urchin populations or over distances of a few km or less.-