Population and seasonal differences in egg quality of Arbacia lixula (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

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Abstract
The quality of offspring of the echinoid Arbacia lixula from a densely populated, exposed rocky habitat with a rich algal cover at St. Jean Cap Ferrat was compared to those from a sparsely populated, sheltered sandy-mud habitat with a poor algal cover from the Bay of Villefranche in June and November 1988. Adults from St. Jean Cap Ferrat had eggs and larvae that were significantly larger, and with faster growth and developmental rates, maximum larval sizes, higher survival rates and higher percentage metamorphosis than those from the Bay of Villefranche. The sizes of post-larvae from both habitats were not significantly different. Parental investment in reproduction was less in autumn in both habitats. Growth and developmental rates of larvae were slower and maximum larval sizes were lower in autumn, thus exposing larvae for a longer time to planktonic predation.