Laboratory observation on spawning,fecundity and larval development of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri Tsingtaunese) |
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| Authors: | Wu Xian-han Zhang Shi-cui Wang Yong-yuan Zhang Bao-lu Qu Yan-mei Jiang Xin-ji |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071 Qingdao |
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| Abstract: | Although amphioxus is widespread in temperate and tropical seas, its population is diminishing because of environmental pollution.
To keep the population of this evolutionarily important animal from diminishing, study on its reproduction and development
is necessary. The main findings in this study on the spawning and fecundity of the amphioxus reared in laboratory and its
larval development are as follows. 1. Water temperature markedly affected the spawning. It spawned only when water temperature
reached 21°C. 2. Spawning of the amphioxus in laboratory was markedly extended. Initially, the amphioxus spawned at about
7:00 PM, but spawning time was postponed as spawning days went on. 3. The number of eggs produced by a female ranged from
1400 to 12800, average of 5800. This also represents the fecundity of the amphioxus because it shedded all eggs within the
ovary at a time. 4. During the first few months of life of the amphioxus, its growth rate changed seasonally. The growth rate
in summer and fall was greater than that in winter. 5. The pelagic larva became a benthic adult after 50 days. 6. The amphioxus
reared in laboratory from fertilized eggs could produce fertile eggs and sperms. These findings can be a foundation for measures
to address the problem of diminishing amphioxus population.
Contribution No. 2274 from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
This work was supported by CNNSF, and Chinese Academy of Sciences. |
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| Keywords: | amphioxus spawning fecundity larval development |
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