| Zooids (the total amount of ovocytes, embryos, and larvae in larval release stage zooids), colonial (zooids mean fecundity per number of mature zooids on resorption or releasing larvae colonies) fecundity and the characteristics and duration of the early larval stages of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) are given. The ascidian colonies were collected from non-estuarine mangroves in the NW region of Cuba. An average of 41 ± 12 ovocytes, embryos, and larvae were counted in 200 zooids of 17-31 mm length from 20 colonies gathered during different months and sites. Ascidian colonies of163 mm length and 252 zooids average produced 10590 larvae as average per colony during each generation-degeneration cycle that lasts about 40 days.... |
