Observations of reproductive strategies for some dendrochirotid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida)

P. Mark O'Loughlin, John Eichler, Leon Altoff, Audrey Falconer, Melanie Mackenzie, Emily Whitfield and Chris Rowley
66(2): 215-220 (2009)

Some recently observed dendrochirotid holothuroid reproductive strategies are reported for the fi rst time: fissiparity by Cucuvitrum rowei O’Loughlin and O’Hara; probable intra-coelomic brood fissiparity by Staurothyone inconspicua (Bell); intra-coelomic brood-protection by a species of Parathyonidium Heding; intra-coelomic brood auto-ingestion by Neoamphicyclus materiae O’Loughlin; brood-protection in anterior interradial marsupia by Psolidiella mollis (Ludwig and Heding). Some analysis is reported of marsupial brood-protection by Antarctic dendrochirotid holothuroids: the “Cucumaria georgiana group”; Echinopsolus acanthocola Gutt; Echinopsolus parvipes Massin; Microchoerus splendidus Gutt; Psolidiella mollis (Ludwig and Heding); Psolus charcoti Vaney. Confusion in the literature about brood-protection by the Subantarctic dendrochirotid Cladodactyla crocea (Lesson) is clarified.

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