Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (6): 120-126.doi: 10.11978/2023019CSTR: 32234.14.2023019

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Development of gonads with annual cycle in Anlactinia sinensis

LI Yunpeng1(), WANG Zhicheng2, ZHANG Long1, ZHANG Wei3, DU Mengda3, SUN Yi2, ZHANG Zhifeng1,3()   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572024, China
    2. Chongben Honors College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
    3. College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
  • Received:2023-02-17 Revised:2023-04-17 Online:2023-11-10 Published:2023-04-23
  • Supported by:
    Ocean University of China-Student Research Development Program(202110423574X)

Abstract:

The study on animal gonad development can reveal the process of gametogenesis, and evaluate the fertility and source utilization of a species. The Chinese tube anemone Aulactinia sinensis is a dominant species in intertidal zone of the Yellow Sea, China. In this study, we reported characteristics of the gonad development with annual cycle in A. sinensis inhabiting Huiquan Bay, Qingdao. The results showed that A. sinensis is cylindrical in appearance, and the tentacle arrangement of oral disc is 6+6+12+24+48. There are 48 pairs of mesenteries inside the column. A. sinensis is dioecism, and populational ratio of female to male is 1.25: 1. During the reproductive season, all mesenteries can develop into reproductive mesenteries, and form the gonad. According to the characteristics of spermatogenicvesicle, germ cell types, and composition in the mesenteries, the development process of gonads was divided into four stages, and the gamete spawning occurred between May to September. The fecundity of an individual with the oral disc diameter of 3 cm was 188277.91 ± 28861.91. Our findings will provide basic scientific data for studying the source recycling of A. sinensis.

Key words: Aulactinia sinensis, morphology, gonad, annual development, fecundity