Uvic Thesis Template
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Laboratory study of reproduction and development of Lopholithodes foraminatus (brown box crab), with a discussion of reversed asymmetry by William Duguid B.Sc, University of Victoria, 2002 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in the Department of Biology © William Duguid, 2009 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Laboratory study of reproduction and development of Lopholithodes foraminatus (brown box crab), with a discussion of reversed asymmetry by William Duguid B.Sc, University of Victoria, 2002 Supervisory Committee Dr. Louise R. Page (Department of Biology) Supervisor Dr. Tom E. Reimchen (Department of Biology) Departmental Member Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe (Department of Biology & School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Departmental Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Louise R. Page (Department of Biology) Supervisor Dr. Tom E. Reimchen (Department of Biology) Departmental Member Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe (Department of Biology & School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Departmental Member Lithodid crabs present intriguing questions about evolution of reproductive strategies and developmental evolution of asymmetry. Lopholithodes foraminatus (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguroidea) from British Columbia have a biennial reproductive cycle. Eighteen months of egg-brooding included an embryonic diapause of 12 months. Larvae were released over a long period of up to 3 months due to pronounced differential developmental rate that was apparently not due to differential oxygen availability among brooded eggs. I describe the behaviour, growth, and morphology of 4 zoeal stages, a non-feeding glaucothoe, and early juvenile instars. Approximately 25% of glaucothoe showed reversed asymmetry, which was surprising considering its rarity among field collected adults. Incidence of reversed asymmetry was not affected by rearing temperature or by cheliped removal and did not differ among offspring of reversed and normal females. Lability in the direction of asymmetry during development is enigmatic in light of long-term evolutionary stability of this character among lithodids. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ................................................................................................... ii Abstract ........................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ iv List of Tables .................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... xi Dedication ...................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1: Introduction .....................................................................................................1 OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................1 DECAPOD LIFE HISTORY ........................................................................................2 LITHODID BIOLOGY ................................................................................................4 Lopholithodes foraminatus ...........................................................................................6 OBJECTIVES ...............................................................................................................6 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Reproductive timing and embryogenesis of Lopholithodes foraminatus (Stimpson, 1859) in British Columbia waters.................................................................13 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................13 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................14 METHODS .................................................................................................................19 Adult capture: ..........................................................................................................19 Female reproductive status in the field ...................................................................19 Female reproductive status in the laboratory ..........................................................20 Qualitative and quantitative analysis of development rate .....................................22 Timing, duration and magnitude of larval release ..................................................23 Spatial patterning of development rate ...................................................................24 RESULTS ...................................................................................................................25 Female reproductive status in the field ...................................................................25 Female reproductive status in the laboratory ..........................................................28 Qualitative and quantitative analysis of development rate .....................................31 Duration and magnitude of larval release ...............................................................34 Spatial patterning of development rate ...................................................................37 DISCUSSION .............................................................................................................38 Biennial reproductive cycles ...................................................................................38 Rate of embryonic development .............................................................................42 Significance of biennial reproduction with embryonic diapause ............................43 Extended Hatching ..................................................................................................47 Management implications of biennial reproduction ...............................................50 REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................52 Chapter 3: Larval and early post-larval morphology, growth, and behaviour of laboratory reared Lopholithodes foraminatus (brown box crab) ....................................58 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................58 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................59 METHODS .................................................................................................................61 v Obtaining and rearing larvae ...................................................................................61 Test for lecithotrophy and secondary lecithotrophy ...............................................64 Measurement ...........................................................................................................64 Stage durations ........................................................................................................66 Morphological description ......................................................................................67 Terminology ............................................................................................................68 RESULTS ...................................................................................................................69 Behaviour ................................................................................................................69 Test for lecithotrophy and secondary lecithotrophy ...............................................71 Growth ....................................................................................................................72 Stage duration and survival .....................................................................................72 Morphological description ......................................................................................76 DISCUSSION ...........................................................................................................103 Behaviour ..............................................................................................................103 Lecithotrophy and secondary lecithotrophy ..........................................................105 Growth ..................................................................................................................108 Stage duration .......................................................................................................108 Colour ...................................................................................................................110 Identification .........................................................................................................111 REFERENCES .........................................................................................................113