Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Semper's (zoanthid) larvae: pelagic life, parentage and other problems
Ryland, J.S.; de Putron, S.; Scheltema, R.S.; Chimonides, P.J.; Zhadan, D.G. (2000). Semper's (zoanthid) larvae: pelagic life, parentage and other problems. Hydrobiologia 440(1-3): 191-198. https://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1004171127777
In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more
Related to:
Ryland, J.S.; de Putron, S.; Scheltema, R.S.; Chimonides, P.J.; Zhadan, D.G. (2000). Semper's (zoanthid) larvae: pelagic life, parentage and other problems, in: Jones, M.B. et al. Island, Ocean and Deep-Sea Biology: Proceedings of the 34th European Marine Biology Symposium, held in Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal, 13-17 September 1999. Developments in Hydrobiology, 152: pp. 191-198. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1982-7_18, more
Peer reviewed article  

Keywords
    Algae > Zooxanthellae
    Developmental stages > Larvae
    Distribution
    Properties > Water properties > Temperature > Water temperature
    Epizoanthus Gray, 1867 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Ryland, J.S., more
  • de Putron, S.
  • Scheltema, R.S.
  • Chimonides, P.J.
  • Zhadan, D.G.

Abstract
    Semper's larvae were obtained from <300 out of ~1800 plankton tows taken in the world's oceans (1964-1993). Zoanthellae (larvae of Sphenopidae) occurred at 217 stations and zoanthinae (larvae of Zoanthidae) at 86, the two larval types showing distributions clearly delimited by a minimum sea temperature (~22 °C for zoanthellae, ~18 °C for zoanthinae; a statistically significant difference, P<0.001). Length of formalin-fixed zoanthellae was ~2-8.6 mm and of zoanthinae ~1.5-5.9 mm. Endodermal zooxanthellae were present in 9/24 zoanthinae but in no zoanthellae (of 19). Three larvae contained an endo-commensal/parasitic amphipod. Septa were externally visible in larger zoanthinae and were counted in transverse sections of other larvae, a majority of which (both kinds) had 12 septa, the normal maximum. The pattern was brachycnemic in 40/43 larvae and anomalous (but non-macrocnemic) in three. If macrocnemic genera reproduce by Semper's larvae, they should have been represented in such a large sample. The distribution of adult Epizoanthus was examined: many species are deep sea (recorded down to ~5000 m) but shallow-water species are relatively plentiful in, for example, the Adriatic and North Seas. No Semper's larva has ever been recorded from either. Some Parazoanthus species also occur in shallow water, especially associated with western Atlantic reef sponges. If they produce Semper's larvae, these have never been found. It is probable that macrocnemic zoanthids settle from planulae that do not develop into recognizable zoanthellae or zoanthinae.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors