ABSTRACT
Smilasterias multipara was described as a new species from south-eastern Australia (O’Loughlin & O’Hara, 1990). The simple explanation is the present species carries juveniles in the cardiac stomach. Other asteroids, Leptasterias groenlandica, Leptasterias tenera and Granaster nutrix were reported as a gastric brooder (Lieberkind 1920, Hyman 1955, Worley et al. 1977, Stüder 1955). These 3 species in addition to S. multipara all belong to the family, Asteriidae. Although the cycle of gametogenesis was studied in L. tenera, little reproduction and development of gastric brooding asteroids have been commonly known. In general gastric brooders have large eggs (about 1mm in diameter) and undergo the direct type of development. In the present study, scanning electron microscopic observations on reproduction and development in M. multipara in addition to annual gonadal histology by sectioned specimens are present.
