Abstract
Growth and rate of growth curves, computed by the single logistic model, are given for populations of Echinus esculentus L. from sites near Plymouth, in the English Channel, and at Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde. The growth curves show a sigmoid shape, with their origins corresponding well with directly-read diameters of recently-metamorphosed juveniles, and the upper asymptote, approaching 14 cm horizontal diameter for Plymouth and 12 cm for Cumbrae, corresponding with ages of 8–12 yr and 8–10 yr, respectively. The gonopores open, and the gonads become functional, at between 0.94 and 1.66 cm ambital diameter, corresponding to an age of 1.5 to 2.5 yr. Maximum rate of growth in the Plymouth region was at mean age 4.7 yr, and at Cumbrae 4.3 yr. Results for Cumbrae are compared with those obtained there on the same species by two previous workers.
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