Variation in reproductive patterns of echinoderms from the northern Gulf of Mexico

Dredging cruises conducted 25-50 km south of Pensacola, Florida during 1988-89 have resulted in the collection of thirty species of echinoderms representing four classes of twelve families. Five of the asteroids have large numbers of small eggs and appear to be planktotrophs, while the remaining asteroids have large yolky eggs and are lecithotrophs. The ophiuroid Astroporpa annulata has numerous small eggs and would appear to be planktotrophic. The irregular echinoids and the regular echinoids (Goniocidaris maculata, Stylocidaris affinis) are planktotrophs. All of these echinoderms have annual reproductive cycles with peak gonadal indices occurring most frequently in the early spring when sea water temperatures are increasing. Winter and early spring spawning in planktotrophic echinoderms may be an adaptation to exploit phytoplankton resources prior to the subsequent appearance of Zooplankton predators.