. Echinoderms of Connecticut . FIG. 3. Outlines of two starfishes of the same age ^2 weeks), showing difference in the rate of growth under the influence of different food supplies. (After Mead.) The age at which the starfish becomes sexually mature is also influenced by the rate of growth, for Mead has found that all starfishes with a length of ray of more than 50 mm. at the beginning of'the breeding season, in May, are sexually mature, while others, but 10 or 15 mm. long at the same date, do not deposit sexual products until the following year. Now the length of 50 mm. is reached by well nou
. Echinoderms of Connecticut . FIG. 3. Outlines of two starfishes of the same age ^2 weeks), showing difference in the rate of growth under the influence of different food supplies. (After Mead.) The age at which the starfish becomes sexually mature is also influenced by the rate of growth, for Mead has found that all starfishes with a length of ray of more than 50 mm. at the beginning of'the breeding season, in May, are sexually mature, while others, but 10 or 15 mm. long at the same date, do not deposit sexual products until the following year. Now the length of 50 mm. is reached by well nourished individuals when less than four months of age, so that it seems reasonable to con- clude that the well fed starfishes are readv to breed when a little «r less than one year old; that is, in June of their first year. The rate of growth is most rapid during the warmer months of the year, and may cease entirely during the winter. This is probably due in part to the smaller amount of food devoured, and in part to the development of the sexual products.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherhartf, bookyear1912
