Growth and gonad production of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus in the fucoid bed and algal turf in northern Japan

To clarify the differences in the growth and gonad size of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus among algal sere, the study was conducted in June and July, and September 1998 at three fucoid beds in Oga and at three algal turfs in Hachimori, Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. The most rapid growth was observed in a large perennial fucoid bed at the climax stage. Growth in a small perennial Chondrus ocellatus‐dominated bed in algal turfs in the seral stage was then high. The slowest growth was observed in the small perennial Dictyopteris divaricata‐ and Laurencia spp.‐dominated beds which are known to possess chemicals which act as feeding deterrents against the sea urchins. The gonad index (gonad wet weight × 100/body wet weight) at a fucoid bed was high where standing crops exceeded 3 kg·m^?2. The gonad index in the Laurencia bed was lower than those at fucoid beds. These results suggest that growth and gonad production are affected by algal sere and differ among species of small perennial algae in the seral stage with or without chemical defense.     

马粪海胆单唾液酸神经节苷脂的结构鉴定

为研究马粪海胆(Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus)神经节苷脂的结构。首先,用Sevennerholm法分配提取其生殖腺,经正相硅胶柱、DEAE-Sephadex A25离子交换柱纯化后,得到2种神经节苷脂组分,分别为HPG-A和HPG-B。其次,进行酸解,获得唾液酸、中性单糖、脂肪酸和长链碱。然后,采用甲基化处理,经气相色谱-质谱联用法测定基本组成结构,经湿法消化和离子色谱法测定硫酸根含量。实验表明:HPG-A的唾液酸组成为N-羟乙酰神经氨酸(Neu5Gc)和少量N-乙酰神经氨酸(Neu5Ac),而HPG-B为8位硫酸化的N-羟乙酰神经氨酸(Neu5Gc8S),且均以2-6键与葡萄糖相连;HPG-A和HPG-B神经酰胺(Cer)的主链长链碱(LCB)组成类似,主要为d16∶0和d18∶0;脂肪酸(FA)组成均以C22∶1和C22∶1h为主。鉴定出HPG-A为单唾液酸己糖神经节苷脂Neu5Gc2-6Glc1-1Cer和Neu5Ac2-6Glc1-1Cer的混合物,HPG-B为硫酸酯化单唾液酸己糖神经节苷脂Neu5Gc8S2-6Glc1-1Cer。本文为研究马粪海胆单唾液酸神经节苷脂的构效关系提供了理论依据。     

海胆配子及胚胎发育模型在农药类环境激素筛选中的应用

我国农药生产和使用量较大,农药污染问题日益突出,薛秀玲等[1]报道福建省闽江口和泉州湾的缢蛏和牡蛎样品中的敌敌畏、甲胺磷平均质量分数分别为0.80×10-3叫和2.58×10-9(湿质量),检出率较高.     

Molecular characterization and expression of the SiUCP2 gene in sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a proton transporter located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, and inhibits the formation of adenosine triphosphate and reacti...     

The impact of rising sea temperature on innate immune parameters in the tropical subtidal sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus and the intertidal sea urchin Echinometra lucunter

Ocean temperatures are rising throughout the world, making it necessary to evaluate the impact of these temperature changes on sea urchins, which are well-known bioindicators. This study evaluated the effect of an increase in temperature on the immune response of the subtidal Lytechinus variegatus and the intertidal Echinometra lucunter sea urchins. Both species were exposed to 20 (control), 25 and 30 °C temperatures for 24 h, 2, 7 and 14 days. Counting of coelomocytes and assays on the phagocytic response, adhesion and spreading of coelomocytes were performed. Red and colorless sphere cells were considered biomarkers for heat stress. Moreover, a significant decrease in the phagocytic indices and a decrease in both cell adhesion and cell spreading were observed at 25 and 30 °C for L. variegatus. For E. lucunter, the only alteration observed was for the cell proportions. This report shows how different species of sea urchins respond immunologically to rising temperatures.     

Effect of two different habitats on spine and gonad colour in the purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

This study investigates the effect of different Mediterranean habitats on spine and gonad colouring and gonadal index in the purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Specimens were collected in winter 2012 in Posidonia oceanica meadows and rocky bottom areas at two sites in Southern Sardinia (Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea). Colorimetric analyses of spines and gonads were conducted with a digital colorimeter using CIELAB colour spaces, which defines the colour in terms of three coordinate values: lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). Lightness and redness of the spines differed significantly between habitats, whereas colour spaces of the gonads did not. A careful analysis of the gonad index showed it to be significantly affected by habitat, registering higher values in rocky bottom locations. In conclusion, it seems that habitat does affect spine colour but not gonad colour. Spine colour seems to be site‐dependent, whereas the gonad index depends solely on the habitat.     

Influence of salinity on fertilization and larval development toxicity tests with two species of sea urchin

Sea urchin embryo-larval development (ELD) and fertilization tests have been widely used in ecotoxicity studies and are included in regulatory frameworks. Biological processes occur naturally within a range of salinity that depends on the species considered. In an attempt to determine the optimum range of salinity, ELD and fertilization bioassays were performed at different salinities (15-40.5‰) with two species of Atlantic sea urchin: Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus. In the ELD assay, the optimum range of salinity was wider for A.?lixula (29-35.5‰) than for P.?lividus (29-33‰). In the fertilization assay with P.?lividus as a bioindicator species, the highest percentage of fertilization (90%) was obtained at salinities of between 29 and 33‰. More research on A.?lixula is required, since the fertilization success was below 60%. The results of the present study demonstrate that salinity may be a confounding factor in interpreting ELD test results.     

Comparative toxicities of chlorinated biphenyls on sea urchin egg fertilisation and embryogenesis

The aim of this study was to compare the biological actions of selected chlorinated biphenyls (CB's) (with different degrees of chlorine substitution), using the sea urchin test system, for their ability to affect fertilisation, embryogenesis and mitotic activity. Sea urchin embryos were exposed to the test agents throughout larval development or for shorter intervals (e.g. before or after hatching). Sperm or eggs were exposed before fertilisation, thereafter the contaminants were removed from embryo cultures. The results showed maximal activities from medium-chlorinated (tetra- and hexachloro-substituted) compounds, as compared to low- and high-chlorinated biphenyls (mono-, di- and octachloro-substituted), at nominal levels ranging from 10⁻⁶m to 10⁻⁵m. This held true for the different parameters and treatment schedules. Developmental defects were only detected following post hatching exposure of embryos to CB's, whereas pre-hatching exposure failed to reveal any embryological or cytogenetic abnormalities.     

Hydrodynamism and its influence on the reproductive condition of the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Despite the large body of work published in the last two decades on the reproduction of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, the reproductive aspects linked to hydrodynamic conditions and their influence on gonad production remain poorly understood. The present paper aims to evaluate the effect of hydrodynamism on the reproductive cycle of P. lividus. Variability in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of P. lividus was estimated seasonally from 2007 to 2008 at two shallow sub-littoral flat basaltic areas at Ustica Island (Western Mediterranean). GSI was higher in the sites characterized by low hydrodynamism than in those with high hydrodynamism. Results also suggest a possible role for hydrodynamism in triggering processes of resource limitation (food shortage), probably by interfering with P. lividus feeding activity.     

Effects of low pCO2 conditions on sea urchin larval size

Ocean acidification results from an increase in the concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) impacts on marine calcifying species, which is predicted to become more pronounced in the future. By the end of this century, atmospheric pCO₂ levels will have doubled relative to the pre‐industrial levels of 280 ppm. However, the effects of pre‐industrial pCO₂ levels on marine organisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of pre‐industrial pCO₂ conditions on the size of the pluteus larvae of sea urchins, which are known to be vulnerable to ocean acidification. The larval size of Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus significantly increased when reared at pre‐industrial pCO₂ level relative to the present one, and the size of Anthocidaris crassispina larvae decreased as the pCO₂ levels increased from the pre‐industrial level to the near future ones after 3 days' exposure. In this study, it is suggested that echinoid larvae responded to pre‐industrial pCO₂ levels. Ocean acidification may be affecting some sensitive marine calcifiers even at the present pCO₂ level.     

海参、海胆养殖水体中多抗性细菌抗性基因的初步研究

抗药性细菌对生态环境、养殖业以及人类健康构成严重威胁。以大连海参、海胆养殖场多抗性细菌筛选为基础,采用分子生物学手段对40株抗性细菌进行了氯霉素、土霉素及氟氯霉素抗性基因检测,探讨抗药性分子遗传机理,从而为控制抗药性细菌的产生和传播提供研究基础。     

Embryotoxicity of butyltin compounds to the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.

Tributyltin (TBT) has been widely employed in marine anti-fouling paints as a biocide, although it represents a serious risk, particularly in estuarine and coastal water/sediment ecosystems. In this study, the embryotoxic effects of TBT and its degradation products, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT), were analyzed during the development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from post-fertilization to the pluteus stage, to better clarify ecotoxicological impact. The embryotoxicity of butyltins is concentration-dependent and increases proportionally with number of butyl groups. Significant growth reduction was observed at TBT concentrations as low as 0.01 microgram l-1; 1 microgram l-1 was the maximum concentration allowing embryos to reach the pluteus stage at 48 h post-fertilization. Development was blocked at the morula or blastula stage with higher TBT concentrations. DBT and MBT are less toxic: slowed development and a decrease in pluteus size occurred at 10 micrograms l-1 DBT and 0.5 mg l-1 MBT. Effects on both skeletal deposition and blocked embryonic development are suggested to be due to the interference of organotin compounds with intracellular calcium homeostasis.     

Bottom-up and top-down control of seagrass overgrazing by the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla

The lack of top-down control on Tripneustes gratilla, a sea urchin commonly known to graze on seagrass, and the bottom-up control of its feeding preference, led to the overgrazing of seagrass meadows of the species Thalassodendron ciliatum in Changuu Island (Zanzibar Archipelago). The impact of overgrazing on seagrasses was assessed by mapping the presence of grazed versus non-grazed seagrass patches in the study site, while the top-down control on T. gratilla was assessed by measuring the abundance of its fish predators. The feeding preference and distribution of T. gratilla were characterized by calculating the electivity indexes for each seagrass species and measuring sea urchin density, respectively. Approximately half of the patches of T. ciliatum were overgrazed, while predatory fishes of T. gratilla were absent from the site. The Vanderploeg and Scavia's Relativized Electivity Index indicated that T. gratilla had a feeding preference for T. ciliatum, which was also supported by higher urchin densities within T. ciliatum dominated patches. Bottom-up control of grazing activity was observed by quantifying and analyzing morphological, nutritional, and the chemical defense traits of the seagrass in relation to feeding preference and urchin density. Feeding was positively correlated to the seagrass tissue C:P ratio (ρ = 0.9), whereas urchin density showed no correlations. The bottom-up control of the feeding preference and agglomeration of T. gratilla in T. ciliatum meadows, together with the lack of evidence of substantial top-down control and the long recovery time of T. ciliatum led to the overgrazing of this species at this site. Overgrazing, therefore, was shown to be the result of multiple factors ranging from the traits of the seagrass and feeding preference of T. gratilla, to the abundance of predators in this area.     

Application of the sea urchin sperm bioassay to sewage treatment efficiency and toxicity in marine waters

A newly standardized 60-minute sea urchin (and sand dollar) sperm bioassay was used to measure the toxicity of sewage at each stage in the treatment process. The sensitivity of the sperm bioassay was compared to the results of 48- to 96-hour bioassays with sea urchin and oyster embryos and crab zoeae in side-by-side tests of each sewage type. These data were then used to estimate the dilutions necessary to protect sensitive life stages of marine animals around a proposed sewage outfall in Puget Sound and to select the best bioassay procedure for a post-discharge program for monitoring water column toxicity.Results showed that very little acute toxicity was removed by the primary treatment process but that toxicity was greatly reduced by secondary treatment. A high degree of toxicity was reintroduced by chlorination but this source of toxicity was essentially eliminated by dechlorination. The simple and rapid sperm assay proved more sensitive to all stages of sewage than did the longer embryo and larval assays. Based on the results of the comparative testing and the ease, rapidity and year-round availability of the sea urchin sperm assay (sea urchins in winter, sand dollars in summer), this test was recommended for post-discharge monitoring of sewage effluent-related toxicity in the receiving waters.     

Genetic diversity and population connectivity of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla along the South African coast

The collector sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla has been identified as a species with potential for aquaculture production in South Africa. The species’ roe is considered a culinary delicacy in Asia and Europe. However, T. gratilla remains genetically uncharacterised in South Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide baseline genetic information consisting of estimates of genetic diversity and population stratification, which may aid in future sustainable use of this urchin resource. A total of 22 species-specific microsatellite markers were used for the genetic characterisation of T. gratilla samples from along the South African coast, at Haga Haga, Coffee Bay, Hibberdene, Ballito Bay and Sodwana Bay. A moderate level of genetic diversity was observed, with an average number of alleles of 7.89 and an average effective number of alleles of 6.57, as well as an average observed heterozygosity of 0.55. Population differentiation tests suggest that the geographically representative samples form part of a single, large interbreeding population, with a global F_st estimate of 0.02 (p > 0.05). This finding is likely explained by high levels of gene flow between these locations caused by extensive larval dispersal during the planktonic larval stage. The panmixia observed within these natural populations of T. gratilla indicate that they could be managed as a single genetic stock.     

速生刺参选育组合胚胎发育及其 幼体附着变态效果比较

Different hybridization groups of wild sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) from Qingdao（Q）、Yanta（Y）、Weihai（W）、Rizhao（R）、Changdao（C） were studied in contrast with their self-breeding groups.By Duncan’s multiple range tests, the rate of hatching、auricularia larvae survivorship、doliolaria apperance and rate of metamorphosis about different groups were compared and analysized. Results showed, in general,the hybridization groups have heterosis over the self-breeding groups, having significant differences at 5% level with the contrast groups.Thereinto, the groups of Y(♀)×Q (♂)and Q(♀)×W(♂) had the best hybridized effects.(Their rate of hatching、auricularia larvae survivorship、doliolaria apperance and rate of metamorphosis is 95.4%、95.2%、20%、93.8%;93.8%、90.1%、15%、91.6% respectly );the groups of Y(♀)×W(♂)、Y(♀)×R(♂) and W(♀)×R(♂) are in-between(the corresponding datas are: 94.2% 、87.2%、12%、91.2%;93.6% 、86.2%、12%、90.1%;96.1%、83.1%、10%、86.7% respectly);the effect of Q(♀)×C (♂)and W(♀)×C(♂) is unconspicuous(the corresponding datas are: 93.2、%、80.4%、10.5%、80.2%;90.7%、79.3%、9.5%、78.9% respectly). The research can provide important academic reference and practical directive meaning for science research and production in future.     

Fitness‐related consequences shed light on the mechanisms of covering and sheltering behaviors in the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis

We know of no comparative assessment on the benefits and costs of long‐term covering and sheltering behaviors in sea urchins. The present study investigated the long‐term effects of conditions suitable for sheltering and covering behaviors on fitness‐related traits of sea urchins Glyptocidaris crenularis. In general, conditions suitable for covering and sheltering behaviors significantly affected the fitness‐related traits of G. crenularis in a long‐term laboratory study of 31 months. Glyptocidaris crenularis kept in conditions suitable for sheltering behavior (bricks with openings) showed significantly lower test size, body weight, organ (test, lantern, gonad and gut) weights, gonad index and slower gonad development than those kept in conditions suitable for covering behavior (presence of shells) and the control conditions (without conditions for covering and sheltering). However, the index of maximum pressure resistance of the test was significantly higher in G. crenularis kept in the sheltering conditions than those in the covering and control conditions. The present study provides new insight into the mechanisms of covering and sheltering behaviors and has implications for the conservation and aquaculture of sea urchins.     

A new expression for the production rate of sea water droplets on the sea surface

A new set of empirical formulas for the production rate and the number concentration of sea-water droplets on the sea surface are proposed, synthesizing past observation data of sea-salt particles in the sea and water droplets in wind-wave tanks. A new levelz _c is introduced as the effective wind-sea surface where seawater droplets are produced. The new formulas are expressed in linear functions in logarithmic scales ofu*²/v _p , a parameter to describe overall conditions of airsea boundary processes, whereu _* is the friction velocity of air,v the kinematic viscosity of air and _p the peak angular frequency of wind-wave part of wave spectra. A model of coexistence of spray droplets and suspended particles near the sea surface is proposed. As for the independent parameter, a comparison between the uses ofu*²/v _p and ofu _* ³ which was the traditional way of parameterization excluding wave measure, shows that the advantage of usingu*²/v _p is statistically significant with a confidence limit 89% in F-test.     

后刺才女虫胚胎及幼虫发育过程研究

应用显微技术观察了后刺才女虫（Polydora latispinosa）胚胎的发育过程及各发育阶段幼虫形态结构特点,以期为多毛类的发育生物学研究和分类学积累更多的资料。结果显示,后刺才女虫在魁蚶内表面形成瘤状突起,在外套膜上钻孔,导致外套膜溃疡发红。后刺才女虫受精卵在卵袋中发育至三刚节幼虫时,幼虫破袋而出开始营浮游生活...