GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF STERECHINUS-NEUMAYERI (ECHINOIDEA, ECHINODERMATA) IN MCMURDO SOUND, ANTARCTICA

Population dynamics of Sterechinus neumayeri were investigated at four sites in McMurdo Sound: Cape Evans, McMurdo Station, East Cape Armita ge and New Harbor. The annual formation of natural growth bands in the jaws of the Aristotle's lantern was verified by a tagging-recapture e xperiment. Growth functions based on natural growth bands indicated di fferences among stations but showed S. neumayeri to be a slow growing species, reaching its maximum diameter of 70 mm at an age of about 40 yr. Annual production ranged between 2.4 (C. Evans) and 0.65 g ash fre e dry mass m(-2) (New Harbor) and was related to differences in food c onditions. More than 95% of total production was invested in reproduct ion, and less than 5% was invested in somatic growth. Consumption esti mates for S. neumayeri showed this species to play a significant role in the benthic trophic web of McMurdo Sound.