Lanna, E.; Monteiro, L.C.; Klautau, M. (2007). Life cycle of Paraleucilla magna Klautau, Monteiro and Borojevic, 2004 (Porifera, Calcarea). In: Custódio M.R., Lôbo-Hajdu G., Hajdu E, Muricy G. (eds) Porifera Research. Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability. Livros de Museu Nacional 28, Rio de Janeiro, pp 413-418. .
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Lanna, E.; Monteiro, L.C.; Klautau, M.
2007
Life cycle of <i>Paraleucilla magna</i> Klautau, Monteiro and Borojevic, 2004 (Porifera, Calcarea). <i>In</i>: Custódio M.R., Lôbo-Hajdu G., Hajdu E, Muricy G. (eds) Porifera Research. Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability. Livros de Museu Nacional 28, Rio de Janeiro, pp 413-418
Publication
Proceedings of the 7th International Sponge Conference, Buzios
Available for editors
In the present study, we describe the life cycle of a calcaronean species, focusing on its reproductive period, the relationship between size and reproduction, and on its reproductive elements (oocytes and larvae). This work is the first study to describe reproductive aspects of a Calcarea in the Southern Hemisphere. For two years and three months, a population of Paraleucilla magna from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was sampled monthly. The reproductive period occurred during the summer (from January to March) as reported for Calcaronea sponges in the Northern Hemisphere. The first oocytes were observed in January, while in February most of the specimens had oocytes and larvae. In March larvae were more abundant than oocytes. Additionally, reproductive activity was not related to sponge size, as both small and large specimens showed similar reproductive elements. The oocytes of P. magna were similar to those of other studied calcareous sponges. Oocytes were spherical or globular and had a large central nucleus with a marked nucleolus. P. magna incubated amphiblastula larvae.
