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Evidence for Reproductive Periodicity in the Deep Sea
Author(s) -
Schoener Amy
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1933563
Subject(s) - deep sea , ecology , period (music) , biology , oceanography , spring (device) , geography , geology , mechanical engineering , physics , acoustics , engineering
Deep sea bottom samples taken at depths between 1,100 m and 3,800 m in the western North Atlantic during the summer months of 1964, 1965 and 1966 yielded large numbers of young of the brittlestars Ophiura ljungmani and Ophiomusium lymani, whereas proportionately fewer young were present in samples taken at approximately the same depths during winter and spring. In two winter samples of one species, well—developed gonads and eggs were found, whereas in a sample obtained in May this was not the case. This evidence suggest that a period of increased reproductive activity occurs, even though the deep sea has been considered to provide a relatively constant physical environment. These findings are discussed in light of present ecological information, and several possible explanations are offered.