137 



Figure 94: Asterias amurensis. 

 Brachiolaria; papillae and attachment disk visible. 



14°C (Ino et ai, 1955) but according to other data, February to April at 14- 

 15°C (Kume and Dan, 1968); Sendai Bay — January to May at 8-ll°C 

 (Hatanaka and Kosaka, 1958); Mutsu Bay — March to June at 5-10 °C 

 (Kim, 1968); and the Pacific coast — June to October at 6-1 4°C (Kume and 

 Dan, 1968). 



It can be seen from these fragmentary data that A. amurensis spawns at 

 a relatively wide temperature range (4 - 1 6°C); only seasons with very high 

 and low temperatures are excluded. If our assumption regarding the duration 

 of development of the larvae of this species is reliable, then the pelagic stage 

 in A. amurensis is completed at relatively moderate temperatures, i.e. 

 5-20°C. 



