Acaudina molpadioides is a low-value sea cucumber. We studied the characteristics and annual variation of gonadal development of A. molpadioides in north coast of Fujian based on histological and morphological observation. We continued to explore its gender ratio, reproductive cycle, spawning pattern and reproductive season. Results showed that the testis and ovary development of A. molpadioides could be divided into six stages: resting stage (I), early developmental stage (II), growing stage (III), mature stage (IV), partly spawned stage (V) and spent stage (VI). The gonadal development of A. molpadioides in males and females were basically synchronous, and it followed an obvious annual development rule. The majority of gonads matured in May. Subsequently, gametes were being released meanwhile with tubules destruction. Then new tubules grew up, which meant the gonad started a new cycle. The gametogenesis initiated in November, and gametes gradually developed till matured in next May. A. molpadioides had a gender ratio close to 1∶1 and an annual reproductive cycle. Its reproductive season was from May to August (summer), when it spawned several times.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |