The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi

PeerJ

article

Daniel A. Sasson¹  Joseph F. Ryan¹ 

[1] Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida;Department of Biology, University of Florida

关键词: Ctenophore;    Hermaphrodite;    Reproduction;    Inbreeding depression;    Spawn;    Cues;    Self-fertilization;    Sea walnut;    Mnemiopsis leidyi;    Body size;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.1846

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Ctenophores (comb jellies) are emerging as important animals for investigating fundamental questions across numerous branches of biology (e.g., evodevo, neuroscience and biogeography). A few ctenophore species including, most notably, Mnemiopsis leidyi, are considered as invasive species, adding to the significance of studying ctenophore ecology. Despite the growing interest in ctenophore biology, relatively little is known about their reproduction. Like most ctenophores, M. leidyi is a simultaneous hermaphrodite capable of self-fertilization. In this study, we assess the influence of light on spawning, the effect of body size on spawning likelihood and reproductive output, and the cost of self-fertilization on egg viability in M. leidyi. Our results suggest that M. leidyi spawning is more strongly influenced by circadian rhythms than specific light cues and that body size significantly impacts spawning and reproductive output. Mnemiopsis leidyi adults that spawned alone produced a lower percentage of viable embryos versus those that spawned in pairs, suggesting that self-fertilization may be costly in this species. These results provide insight into the reproductive ecology of M. leidyi and provide a fundamental resource for researchers working with them in the laboratory.

【 授权许可】

CC BY