Brief description
Seasonal trends in the gonad index (GI) of two widely separated populations of black teatfish, Holothuria whitmaei (Bell, 1887), were investigated between Pacific (Great Barrier Reef) and Indian Ocean (Ningaloo Reef) coral reefs of Australia.Lineage
Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned
Statement: Ten to fifteen adult Holothuria whitmaei were sampled at approximately monthly intervals between July 2000 and May 2003 from a single stretch of reef flat near Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. In addition, 15 to 30 adult H. whitmaei were sampled on 13 occasions between October 1998 and November 2000 from Big Broadhurst and Davies Reefs, two closely situated reefs, of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland (See large thumbnail). Seasonal changes in gonad index (GI) were followed between Coral Bay (NR), Big Broadhurst Reef and Davies Reef (GBR). However, further samples were collected from 11 additional locations to the north and south of Big Broadhurst and Davies Reefs (GBR) (See large thumbnail) to enable comparisons of general reproductive patterns within the GBR. These additional samples were collected as 'one-off' samples and the extra locations were not revisited for further sampling.
Statement: -Gonad index-
The whole gonad, including the gonad basis and germinal tubules, were removed from each animal, towel dried, and weighed to the nearest 0.5g (GW). Following removal of the internal organs and excess coelomic fluid, the gutted body (GBW) was determined to the nearest 1.0 g. The gonad index (GI) was subsequently calculated using the equation:
GI = GW/GBW x 100
where GI = gonad index (%), GW = wet gonad weight and GBW = gutted body weight
Notes
PurposeTo i) further understanding of spatial patterns in the timing of spawning among tropical invertebrates and ii) provide a detailed account of the morphology and development of H. whitmaei gonads.
Created: 20 07 2007
Data time period: 1998-10 to 2003-05
text: westlimit=113.73; southlimit=-23.21; eastlimit=113.78; northlimit=-23.1
text: westlimit=143.6; southlimit=-21.5; eastlimit=151.3; northlimit=-12.6
Subjects
25 416033 |
BIOSPHERE |
COMMUNITY DYNAMICS |
EARTH SCIENCE |
ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS |
Gonad Index (GI) |
Holothuria whitmaei |
Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Invertebrates |
Reproduction |
Species Recruitment |
black teatfish |
oceans |
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Other Information
global : 1fb514f0-3045-11dc-95ce-00188b4c0af8
Identifiers
- global : 69204350-3683-11dc-b840-00188b4c0af8
