Comparative study of fecundity of latitudinal variation in fecundity and reproductive investment of Lithodes santolla in the Argentinian Sea
Supervisor: Gustavo Lovrich (Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, CADIC, Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego. Argentina)
Marine invertebrates inhabiting deep-sea and Arctic and Antarctic waters are subjected to low temperatures and poor and unpredictable food conditions. In order to survive to these conditions, marine invertebrates develop adaptive features, which involve an accurate adjust of the reproductive strategy among others. Hypothesized characters comprised in this adjustment are an increase in egg size with latitude and a consequent decrease in fecundity. Lithodid crabs inhabit high latitudes and at deep waters. Particularly the Southern King Crab, or Lithodes santolla has a wide distribution latitudinal range in the southern tip of South America, living in both Atlantic and Pacific waters. Ovigerous females from three different localities, from different latitudes (Golfo San Jorge 45-47°S, Tierra de Fuego Atlantic coast 51-54°S and the Beagle Channel 55°S) of the Argentinian Sea were used for comparison. Size of individuals, fecundity, egg and embryo sizes, and water and lipid relative content of egg mass, hepatopancreas, ovary and muscle were measured. Fecundity and size of reproductive females were correlated at the three locations, and this correlation did not vary between sites. Egg volume also varies contrary to what was expected, and significant bigger egg values were registered from Golfo San Jorge. Also, although females from Golfo San Jorge had lower percentages lipid contents in the hepatopancreas and ovary, relative content of water and lipid contents in egg masses were similar among localities. All these significant differences between populations show that the reproductive strategy of L. santolla is adaptive to different environments. However, this adaptive potential may response to different parameters, others than latitude.
Location
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.