The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2016-03-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/1846.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797419533949992960 |
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| author | Daniel A. Sasson Joseph F. Ryan |
| author_facet | Daniel A. Sasson Joseph F. Ryan |
| author_sort | Daniel A. Sasson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:48:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d90543c4662a4237af20033cad68ef14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:48:42Z |
| publishDate | 2016-03-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-d90543c4662a4237af20033cad68ef142023-12-03T10:31:39ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592016-03-014e184610.7717/peerj.1846The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyiDaniel A. Sasson0Joseph F. Ryan1Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, United States of AmericaWhitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, United States of AmericaCtenophores (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.https://peerj.com/articles/1846.pdfCtenophoreHermaphroditeReproductionInbreeding depressionSpawnCues |
| spellingShingle | Daniel A. Sasson Joseph F. Ryan 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 Ctenophore Hermaphrodite Reproduction Inbreeding depression Spawn Cues |
| title | The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi |
| title_full | The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi |
| title_fullStr | The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi |
| title_full_unstemmed | The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi |
| title_short | The sex lives of ctenophores: the influence of light, body size, and self-fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi |
| title_sort | sex lives of ctenophores the influence of light body size and self fertilization on the reproductive output of the sea walnut mnemiopsis leidyi |
| topic | Ctenophore Hermaphrodite Reproduction Inbreeding depression Spawn Cues |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/1846.pdf |
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