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The Biological Bulletin, Vol 178, Issue 2 85-93, Copyright © 1990 by Marine Biological Laboratory

DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTION

The Sperm Transfer System in Kinbergonuphis simoni (Polychaeta:Onuphidae)

H. L. Hsieh and J. L. Simon
Department of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620

Tube dwelling Kinbergonuphis simoni (Santos, Day and Rice) achieves a 98.9% fertilization efficiency by means of a sperm transfer system involving spermatophores and seminal receptacles. The spermatophores are mushroom-shaped structures released as clumps. The seminal receptacles are paired sac-like organs embedded in the dorsal epidermis of female genital segments. Males release spermatophores into the environment, and females pick them up with their ventral palps and first pair of parapodia. Stored sperm remain viable for fertilization for at least one month. Spermatophore release and egg laying are independent of the presence of the opposite sex. Advantages associated with this system are discussed, and include asynchronous reproduction, a long breeding season, reduced sperm loss, and reduced exposure to risks. This sperm transfer mode is the first reported in the family Onuphidae and is proposed for other small, tube-dwelling onuphids.


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 Integr. Comp. Biol.Home page
J. D. D. Bishop and A. J. Pemberton
The third way: spermcast mating in sessile marine invertebrates
Integr. Comp. Biol., August 1, 2006; 46(4): 398 - 406.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1990 by the Marine Biological Laboratory.