Biologia reprodutiva e estrutura de duas populações de Coscinasterias tenuispina (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) na região do Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Sexual and asexual reproduction of the fissiparous asteroid Coscinasterias tenuispina were studied in two populations at Cabo Frio region, Rio de Janeiro, from August 1999 to December 2000. One population occurs on subtidal region at Prainha, Arraial do Cabo, and the other occurs on intertidal region at Praia da Ferradura, Búzios. Gonad indices of both populations showed low reproductive potential, and the histological analyses recorded that gametes were released during all months. A reciprocal relationship between gonad and pyloric caecum indices was not evident. The continuous spawning suggests that larva are producing throughout the year. Although this continuous spawning, low frequency of small individuals (≤ 3 mm) was recorded in a few months at Prainha and this individuals were not found at Praia da Ferradura. Assexual reproduction was estimated by frequency of recently-split individuals (with clear signs of fission or with the longest regenerating arm ≤ 25% of the longest intact arm). Frequency of recently-split individuals did not show an annual cycle and was not lower than 20% in any sampled month, suggesting that fission occurred during all over the year on both populations. Low recruitment and high fission rate suggest that these populations are maintained mainly by asexual reproduction.