Naslov
Reprodukcijski ciklus gorgonije Eunicella singularis (Esper, 1791) na području dubokog šelfa Cap de Creus (Španjolska)
(Reproduction cycle of the gorgonian Eunicella singularis (Esper, 1791) in Cap de Creus (Spain) deep shelf area)

Autori
Ivana Šimunović

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Ocjenski radovi, diplomski rad, diplomski

Fakultet
Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet

Mjesto
Zagreb

Datum
22.09

Godina
2014

Stranica
46

Mentor
Petar Kružić

Ključne riječi
Gorgonians / reproduction cycle / sex ratio / environmental influence/ temperature

Sažetak
Gorgonians are sessile organisms which play an important structural and ecological role, potentially providing a shelter to epifauna, increasing biomass and biodiversity. The majority of studies in Mediterranean have been conducted on shallow water populations of gorgonians (depths of less than 40 m). Gorgonians reproduce both sexually and asexually. The product of sexual reproduction is a ciliated, free-swimming, planula larvae which settles down on the sea bottom. The main goal of this study is to describe, for the first time, reproduction cycle and fecundity of Eunicella singularis which dwells on the continental shelf at depth of 90 m. The sex ratio did not significantly differ from 1:1, not a single hermaphroditic colony was found within the 238 colonies examined. Female colonies needed 14-15 months to complete their reproductive cycle, while for male colonies, the whole cycle was completed in 5-6 months. Temperature, the most important and the most often examined factor which may influence the gorgonian reproduction cycle, did not have any impact on gametogenesis of E. singularis. Therefore, reproduction is higly probable regulated on genetic level of the species.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

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