BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Ciona intestinalis

Researched by

Angus Jackson

Data supplied by

MarLIN

Refereed by

Dr John Bishop

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Permanent hermaphrodite

Developmental mechanism

Lecithotrophic
Oviparous

Reproductive Season

All year

Reproductive Location

Water column

Reproductive frequency

Annual protracted

Regeneration potential

Life span

1-2 years

Age at reproductive maturity

<1 year

Generation time

<1 year

Fecundity

2000-3000 eggs per spawn

Egg/propagule size

160 µm diameter

Fertilization type

External

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	100-1000m	Larval settlement period
Duration of larval stage	2-10 days

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Reproductive frequency: The Plymouth Marine Fauna (Marine Biological Association, 1957) recorded Ciona intestinalis reproduction throughout the year. In more northerly populations (Sweden), gamete release peaks in May / June. In Sweden, a variety of reproductive frequencies occur. In shallower waters (0-8m) and reduced salinity (20 psu) the species tends to be semelparous whereas in deeper (15-30m), more stable waters with full salinity (30-32 psu) the species reaches larger sizes, lives longer and is more iteroparous. Adults may reach 2-3 years of age although more typically live for just one year.
Spawning: Reproductive capability is size rather than age dependent. In the laboratory, settlement and spawning can be controlled by manipulation of light levels (Whittington, 1967; Woollacott, 74). Light intensity may have some role in the field but spawning and settlement may occur at any time. Whittington (1967) noted that Ciona intestinalis spawned within 4min (±2.6) of exposure to light. Therefore, light exposure may synchronize spawning in some instances, and Ciona intestinalis has been reported to spawn around dawn (Whittingham, 1967).
The species is not self fertile and fertilization is external. Sperm remain viable for up to 16 hours after release in the absence of egg substances. However, in the presence of egg substances the sperms viability is reduced to 1.5 hours (Bolton & Havenhand, 1996).
After release, the eggs remain viable for fertilisation for up to 30 hours. The eggs are negatively buoyant and sink in still water. They are adhesive and stick to the substratum. The eggs are about 160 microns in diameter, yolky and red or green in colour. Long tapering outer follicle cells radiate from the surface of the eggs. Eggs may be released individually or in mucus strings. The mucus strings tangle with and readily adhere to nearby adults.
Dispersal: The embryonic period of development occurs over around 24 hours but is temperature dependent. The newly hatched 'tadpole' larvae may escape from the mucus strings to disperse in the plankton (40-60% of larvae) or may be retained until settlement. Retention in the mucus string may explain the dense aggregations of adults found. In the laboratory, settlement of the swimming larva may take up to six days but in the field this is usually much less (minutes or hours). Some dispersal is possible at the egg stage but most occurs during the short swimming larval stage and is, therefore, limited.

Reproduction References

Svane & Havenhand, 1993, Naranjo et al., 1996, MBA, 1957, Millar, 1953, Whittingham, 1967, Bolton & Havenhand, 1996, Yamaguchi, 1975,