Reproductive cycle of the sea cucumber Psolus patagonicus Ekman 1925, off Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of Psolus patagonicus Ekman 1925 was studied. The species exhibits an annual reproductive cycle with one reproductive period in austral summer (February-March). During spring and summer, females showed the highest gonad-index (GI) values, while the GI values of males did not vary significantly throughout the year. Males had higher GI values than females. Maximum oocyte diameters ranged from less than 300 μm in spring to 900 μm in summer. In February, there is an increase in phytoplankton bloom for the bottom community in which P. patagonicus inhabits. The annual range in water temperature is small (6-7°C). Spawning coincided with increase in available food rather than the increase in water temperature.