The effect of age on the reproductive output of the abalone pest Terebrasabella heterouncinata (Polychaeta: Sabellidae: Sabellinae)

Abstract

High levels of infestation by the polychaete Terebrasabella heterouncinata on cultured abalone may be attributed to elevated levels of fecundity in comparison with conspecifics in their natural habitat. It is not, however, known if a high reproductive output is sustained throughout the animal's life. The present study therefore measured the effect of age on various reproductive parameters of T. heterouncinata from cultured abalone Haliotis midae. Age did not have a significant effect on body size, fecundity or rate at which eggs were laid. However, age had an affect on the proportion of the population that was brooding offspring, because a significantly lower percentage of the youngest age-group was brooding eggs or young, in comparison with the older groups. T. heterouncinata are long-lived, surviving for over four years on abalone farms and can therefore spread their reproductive effort over an extended period, instead of restricting it to a limited period during its early life. The ability to maintain a high fecundity irrespective of age may contribute to the success of this pest on abalone farms.

Keywords: negligible senescence

African Journal of Marine Science 2005, 27(2): 513–516