(Lütken), Ophioderma phoenium (Clark), Ophionephthys limicola (Lütken), Plagiobrissus grandis (Gmelin), Actinopyga agassizi (Selenka), Holothuria (Halodeima) floridana (Pourtalés), and Synaptula hydriformis (Lesueur) were
considered as first records for Puerto Rico.
14.2.2 Marine Science Collection of Department of Marine
Sciences (UPR Mayagüez)
The echinoderm collection of marine invertebrates of the Marine Science
Department (MSC, Mayagüez Campus, University of Puerto Rico) is located at
Isla Magueyes (La Parguera), and is considered the most complete and important
one for Puerto Rico. The invertebrates collection has approximately 4,000 specimens (Weil 2005) belonging to different taxonomic groups, including the Phyla
Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Nemertea, Echinodermata, Arthropoda and Annelida
(Class Polychaeta). Echinoderm collection is composed of approximately 74
species, belonging to all five classes.
14.2.3 Reproduction, Larval Biology, Settlement, and Recruitment
Free-spawning is a mechanism that organisms utilize to disperse their genes and
increase their population success. Egg fertilization of a free-spawning individual is
difficult because of the rapid diffusion and limited life span of gametes in a dynamic
ocean (Levitan 1995). The fertilization of the egg is critical for population survival
and there are many mechanisms that organisms use to increase fertilization success.
Some of these tactics are simultaneous spawning, aggregation, and large population
size (Levitan 1995). One way to measure fecundity is to measure the gonad index,
which is calculated as gonad weight divided by total weight times 100 (Giese and
Pearse 1974). The drop in gonad index can be interpreted as spawning events
(Moore et al. 1963). Measurements of fecundity can provide a first estimate of adult
contributions to larval populations (Cameron 1986).
Echinoids have a complex life-history, which involves external fertilization of
pelagic eggs, planktonic larval development and recruitment into a benthic habitat
where it reaches an adult stage and reproduces (Smith 1997). The distribution of
larvae is influenced by the dynamics of water motion in the coastal ocean in
relation to the location of the spawning sites (Williams and García Sais 2010).
Motility depends both on internal, physiological processes and on the physical
properties of the fluid environment. The physical properties of water (e.g. density
and dynamics viscosity) have a predominant influence on an organism’s motion
and are considered to be a major force in the evolution of their various modes of
locomotion and feeding (Podolsky and Emlet 1993). Questions about larval
14 Review of Echinoderm Research in Puerto Rico
441
considered as first records for Puerto Rico.
14.2.2 Marine Science Collection of Department of Marine
Sciences (UPR Mayagüez)
The echinoderm collection of marine invertebrates of the Marine Science
Department (MSC, Mayagüez Campus, University of Puerto Rico) is located at
Isla Magueyes (La Parguera), and is considered the most complete and important
one for Puerto Rico. The invertebrates collection has approximately 4,000 specimens (Weil 2005) belonging to different taxonomic groups, including the Phyla
Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Nemertea, Echinodermata, Arthropoda and Annelida
(Class Polychaeta). Echinoderm collection is composed of approximately 74
species, belonging to all five classes.
14.2.3 Reproduction, Larval Biology, Settlement, and Recruitment
Free-spawning is a mechanism that organisms utilize to disperse their genes and
increase their population success. Egg fertilization of a free-spawning individual is
difficult because of the rapid diffusion and limited life span of gametes in a dynamic
ocean (Levitan 1995). The fertilization of the egg is critical for population survival
and there are many mechanisms that organisms use to increase fertilization success.
Some of these tactics are simultaneous spawning, aggregation, and large population
size (Levitan 1995). One way to measure fecundity is to measure the gonad index,
which is calculated as gonad weight divided by total weight times 100 (Giese and
Pearse 1974). The drop in gonad index can be interpreted as spawning events
(Moore et al. 1963). Measurements of fecundity can provide a first estimate of adult
contributions to larval populations (Cameron 1986).
Echinoids have a complex life-history, which involves external fertilization of
pelagic eggs, planktonic larval development and recruitment into a benthic habitat
where it reaches an adult stage and reproduces (Smith 1997). The distribution of
larvae is influenced by the dynamics of water motion in the coastal ocean in
relation to the location of the spawning sites (Williams and García Sais 2010).
Motility depends both on internal, physiological processes and on the physical
properties of the fluid environment. The physical properties of water (e.g. density
and dynamics viscosity) have a predominant influence on an organism’s motion
and are considered to be a major force in the evolution of their various modes of
locomotion and feeding (Podolsky and Emlet 1993). Questions about larval
14 Review of Echinoderm Research in Puerto Rico
441