scholarly journals The Paracentrotus lividus populations from the northern Moroccan Atlantic coast: growth, reproduction and health condition

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdellatif Bayed ◽  
Françoise Quiniou ◽  
Ali Benrha ◽  
Monique Guillou
Keyword(s):  
Phytoplankton Bloom ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Seawater Temperature ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
High Wave Energy

The condition of three intertidal Paracentrotus lividus populations, which inhabit an area between Rabat and Casablanca (Morocco) known by its high wave energy and its substantial anthropogenic disturbances were described. The growth rate of the juvenile sea urchins in this intertidal zone was low compared with more sheltered populations. A sharp increase in the gonad index was observed between January and March at the beginning of a period of algal production, and was concomitant with increases in seawater temperature and food consumption rate. This gonad index increase was followed by a single spawning period occurring between March and June, probably triggered by the phytoplankton bloom induced by upwelling conditions. Larval development in all three populations was severely inhibited and could be explained, in part, by high and generalized Cu contamination throughout the region. Specific contamination of particular populations by Pb or Hg was attributed to local industries and the incomplete dispersion of pollutants in spite of the high hydrodynamics along the Moroccan Atlantic coast. One of the three populations studied showed strong indications of abnormal development; the degradation of its condition appeared to be due to the presence of a wadi (temporary river) which can seasonally reduce the salinity, directly affecting the sea urchin physiology and indirectly enhancing the metal toxicity.

Interpopulation variability of the reproductive cycle of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the south-western Mediterranean

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 899-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mourad Guettaf ◽  
Gustavo A. San Martin ◽  
Patrice Francour
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Larval Phase ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Rocky Substrate ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Reproductive Cycles

The spawning of Paracentrotus lividus has been determined on the basis of the annual gonad index cycle at three sites in the Algiers area presenting low, intermediate and strong hydrodynamism. Three biotopes (Posidonia oceanica beds, rocky substrate with photophilous algae and overgrazed rocky substrate) and two depths (1–3 m and 6–10 m) were considered at these sites, the sex-ratio was always strongly in favour of females (2:1 to 3:1). In all sites but one, there were marked differences in the gonad index and the spawning period between sites; the gonad index reached its maximum value at the site with the weakest hydrodynamism, and the minimum value at the site with the strongest hydrodynamism. Spawning took place in April–May and August–September at the site with the weakest hydrodynamism, in April–June and October–December at the site with intermediate hydrodynamism and only in winter at the site with maximum hydrodynamism. The coexistence, on regional scale, of these reproductive cycles might enable Paracentrotus lividus to compensate the mortality during planktonic larval phase by the fact that spawning of this sea urchin occurred in all seasons.

Estrogen administration to the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)*

Zoosymposia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
SILVIA MERCURIO ◽  
MICHELA SUGNI ◽  
DENISE FERNANDES ◽  
CINTA PORTE ◽  
MARIA DANIELA CANDIA CARNEVALI
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Physiological Values ◽  
Estrogen Administration

Despite the extensive use of sea urchins in embryology, the hormonal mechanisms regulating echinoid reproductive pro­cesses are scarcely known. This research is focused on the role of estradiol (E2), whose presence and seasonal variations in different echinoderm tissues have been previously reported. Three different concentrations of E2 were administered (via peristomial injection, 2/week) to adult specimens of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus for 2 and 12 weeks. The lowest concentration was close to physiological values, previously measured in field specimens. Despite the increase of circulating E2 in the coelomic fluids, neither short- nor long-term hormonal treatment induced marked variations in the considered reproductive parameters. The Gonad Index appeared to be more influenced by the feed intake than by E2. Similarly, the maturation stage of the gonads was not markedly affected by E2 injection, although some sex-specific dif­ferences could be observed: treated females never reached the maximum maturation stage compared to controls, although this was observed in males injected with the lowest E2 concentration. Although further research is needed to confirm our observations, according to the present study E2 does not markedly influence echinoid reproduction and, particularly, it does not promote female maturation, as reported for vertebrates and suggested for asteroid echinoderms.

Temporal and spatial differences in the reproductive biology of the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Epherra ◽  
Damián G. Gil ◽  
Tamara Rubilar ◽  
Soledad Perez-Gallo ◽  
M. Belén Reartes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Seawater Temperature ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

The reproductive cycle of Arbacia dufresnii was studied in two contrasting populations on the eastern coast of Patagonia (Nuevo Gulf and San Jorge Gulf) from January 2008 to August 2010. Sea urchins from San Jorge Gulf had larger test diameter and heavier gonads than did sea urchins from Nuevo Gulf. A. dufresnii showed an annual cycle in both populations, with gametogenesis occurring mainly in the autumn and the winter. An extended spawning period took place during the spring and the summer. Sea urchins from Nuevo Gulf had a strong seasonal pattern of reproduction, with presence of gonadal stages showing re-absortion and accumulation of reserves in nutritive cells at different seasons, whereas individuals from San Jorge Gulf had mature gametes during most of the year. Interannual variation of seawater temperature affected the gamete production and spawning duration in both populations. Higher temperatures during gametogenesis enhanced gonadal growth and gametes were released early. The major population differences found in gonadal cell composition highlight the plasticity in reproductive traits of A. dufresnii, and may be responsible for the wide distribution of A. dufresnii in different environments.

Reproductive cycle of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in the Cantabrian Sea (northern Spain): environmental effects

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. González-Irusta ◽  
F. Goñi de Cerio ◽  
J.C. Canteras
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Phytoplankton Bloom ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Spring Phytoplankton Bloom ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Spawning Periods

The main objective of this study was to describe the reproductive cycle of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus on the Cantabrian coast (north of Spain), and assess its relationship with environmental factors. To achieve this, samples were taken monthly from three localities during 17 months in two different habitats. At least 15 individuals from each location and habitat were collected during each sampling occasion and used for assessments of gonad index and histological sections. The water temperature and the chlorophyll concentration were also measured. The breeding season of P. lividus in Cantabria started in March and continued until September with one or two main spawning periods per year (depending on year and population), the first one in the beginning of spring and the second one in the summer. The most important differences in the gonad cycle were observed among localities, and the smallest among habitats. Temperature, photoperiod and nutritive stage are important factors controlling the gonad cycle. The beginning of spawning in the Cantabrian populations coincides with the spring phytoplankton bloom and the rise in temperature, which may act as environmental triggers.

scholarly journals The Effects of Environmental Factors and Husbandry Techniques on Roe Enhancement of the New Zealand Sea Urchin, Evechinus chloroticus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Seawater Temperature ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Reproductive Stage ◽  
Gonad Growth ◽  
Gonad Size

<p>The roe of sea urchins (Echinodermata: echinoidea) is a prized seafood in a number of countries around the world, including New  Zealand. Increasing fishing pressure on world sea urchin stocks has failed to meet demand. This has led to increasing worldwide interest in roe enhancement of sea urchins. In New Zealand kina (Evechinus chloroticus) have also been heavily fished. However, there are large numbers of poor quality (low gonad index or GI) kina found in kina barrens which are uneconomic to harvest due to low returns. The primary aim of this research was to identify the key holding and environmental conditions for roe enhancement of E. chloroticus to assist in the development of a roe enhancement industry for E. chloroticus to utilise this resource. A series of experiments testing the optimal holding conditions for E. chloroticus in both land- and sea-based holding systems showed that culture depth (3 and 6 m) and removal of the urchins from the water three times per week had no significant effect on gonad growth or urchin mortality. However, exposing E. chloroticus to increased water movement resulted in significantly greater gonad growth in 12 weeks. Increasing water movement is believed to increase the available dissolved oxygen and facilitate the removal of metabolites from around the urchins. Gonad development was not negatively impacted at the maximum stock density tested (6 kg urchin m-2 of internal surface area) and this density is recommended. There are significantly lower running and maintenance costs when E. chloroticus are enhanced in sea-based compared to land-based systems but a full economic analysis is required to assess which is likely to be the more economical option for future roe enhancement. A period of 9 to 12 weeks appears to be the optimal period for roe enhancement in terms of the maximum increase in GI in the shortest time period. Repeated experiments over a 12 month period showed that food availability was the primary driver of roe enhancement (i.e. increase in gonad size) in E. chloroticus. This is followed by seawater temperature, which drives much of the seasonal variation in the gonad size that is observed in wild urchins. This is likely to be due to increased food consumption at higher temperatures. The reproductive stage of E. chloroticus had very little effect on the increase in gonad size of enhanced urchins other than in autumn when gonad growth was slightly lower than in all other seasons. Optimal gonad growth in this study was obtained at 18oC, which was the highest temperature tested. Higher temperatures also resulted in an increase in the rate of progress of the gametogenic cycle of E. chloroticus whilst lower temperatures tended to slow the rate of progress. The effects of temperature on gonad growth (i.e. increased growth at higher temperatures) were consistent across seasons. Photoperiod had minimal effect on gonad growth and the reproductive stage of the urchins over periods of 12 weeks. Photoperiod may still affect gametogenesis of E. chloroticus over longer periods. Low GI kina appear to be capable of significantly larger increases in GI in 10-week periods than high GI kina, as a result of their higher tolerance to stress. This thesis has contributed to improving the technical and economic feasibility of roe enhancement of kina (E. chloroticus) in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals The Influence of Season on the Gonad Index and Biochemical Composition of the Sea UrchinParacentrotus lividusfrom the Golf of Tunis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumaya Arafa ◽  
Moncef Chouaibi ◽  
Saloua Sadok ◽  
Amor El Abed
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Biochemical Composition ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Total Fatty Acids ◽  
Pufa Group ◽  
Main Component ◽  
High Level

Seasonal variation in the gonad weight and biochemical composition of the sea urchinParacentrotus lividusfrom the Golf of Tunis (Tunisia) were studied between September 2003 and August 2004. The highest gonad indices occurred in March (16.71%). The spawning period occurred between April and July and resulted in a fall in gonad indices to low level (7.12 ± 0.12%). Protein constituted the main component of the gonad, and lipid and carbohydrate were found at appreciable amounts. Consistent with the gonad cycle, sea urchin biochemical components showed clear seasonal variation with a significant decrease during the spawning period. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) group was found at high level (40% of the total fatty acids). Of the PUFA group, eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n−3) and eicosatetraenoic (C20:4n−3) were the most abundant gonadal lipids. The level of PUFA was significantly affected by temperature variation showing an increase during the cold months and a decrease in the hot months.

scholarly journals The Effects of Environmental Factors and Husbandry Techniques on Roe Enhancement of the New Zealand Sea Urchin, Evechinus chloroticus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Seawater Temperature ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Reproductive Stage ◽  
Gonad Growth ◽  
Gonad Size

<p>The roe of sea urchins (Echinodermata: echinoidea) is a prized seafood in a number of countries around the world, including New  Zealand. Increasing fishing pressure on world sea urchin stocks has failed to meet demand. This has led to increasing worldwide interest in roe enhancement of sea urchins. In New Zealand kina (Evechinus chloroticus) have also been heavily fished. However, there are large numbers of poor quality (low gonad index or GI) kina found in kina barrens which are uneconomic to harvest due to low returns. The primary aim of this research was to identify the key holding and environmental conditions for roe enhancement of E. chloroticus to assist in the development of a roe enhancement industry for E. chloroticus to utilise this resource. A series of experiments testing the optimal holding conditions for E. chloroticus in both land- and sea-based holding systems showed that culture depth (3 and 6 m) and removal of the urchins from the water three times per week had no significant effect on gonad growth or urchin mortality. However, exposing E. chloroticus to increased water movement resulted in significantly greater gonad growth in 12 weeks. Increasing water movement is believed to increase the available dissolved oxygen and facilitate the removal of metabolites from around the urchins. Gonad development was not negatively impacted at the maximum stock density tested (6 kg urchin m-2 of internal surface area) and this density is recommended. There are significantly lower running and maintenance costs when E. chloroticus are enhanced in sea-based compared to land-based systems but a full economic analysis is required to assess which is likely to be the more economical option for future roe enhancement. A period of 9 to 12 weeks appears to be the optimal period for roe enhancement in terms of the maximum increase in GI in the shortest time period. Repeated experiments over a 12 month period showed that food availability was the primary driver of roe enhancement (i.e. increase in gonad size) in E. chloroticus. This is followed by seawater temperature, which drives much of the seasonal variation in the gonad size that is observed in wild urchins. This is likely to be due to increased food consumption at higher temperatures. The reproductive stage of E. chloroticus had very little effect on the increase in gonad size of enhanced urchins other than in autumn when gonad growth was slightly lower than in all other seasons. Optimal gonad growth in this study was obtained at 18oC, which was the highest temperature tested. Higher temperatures also resulted in an increase in the rate of progress of the gametogenic cycle of E. chloroticus whilst lower temperatures tended to slow the rate of progress. The effects of temperature on gonad growth (i.e. increased growth at higher temperatures) were consistent across seasons. Photoperiod had minimal effect on gonad growth and the reproductive stage of the urchins over periods of 12 weeks. Photoperiod may still affect gametogenesis of E. chloroticus over longer periods. Low GI kina appear to be capable of significantly larger increases in GI in 10-week periods than high GI kina, as a result of their higher tolerance to stress. This thesis has contributed to improving the technical and economic feasibility of roe enhancement of kina (E. chloroticus) in New Zealand.</p>

Exploring endocrine regulation of sea urchin reproductive biology: effects of 17ß-oestradiol

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1419-1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Sugni ◽  
Daphne Motta ◽  
Paolo Tremolada ◽  
Maria Daniela Candia Carnevali
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Lipid Content ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Endocrine Regulation ◽  
The Common ◽  
Definitive Role

Although several authors have suggested a plausible involvement of steroids in the reproductive biology of echinoderms, their definitive role is still poorly understood. In this paper we focused on oestradiol (E2), whose presence and variations were previously revealed in different echinoderm tissues. The aim of this investigation was to provide further information on the scarcely known role of this hormone in the reproductive biology of sea urchins. We injected two different concentrations (5 ng ml−1 and 50 ng ml−1) of 17ß-oestradiol into specimens of the common Paracentrotus lividus for 10 weeks. The E2 treatment did not influence the maturation stage of the gonads and the development of the gametes; it caused a slight decrease in the gonad index and an increase in lipid content. Our present results suggest that E2 could have a function different from that reported for vertebrates and suggested for other echinoderms such as asteroids.

scholarly journals Reproductive Cycle of the Edible Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidae) in the Aegean Sea

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Vafidis ◽  
Chryssanthi Antoniadou ◽  
Kyratso Kyriakouli
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Mediterranean Populations ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Gonad Somatic Index

The sustainable management of fisheries resources requires extensive knowledge of their reproductive biology, which is scarcely the case for marine invertebrates. Sea urchins are among the most intensively harvested invertebrates, since their gonads, or “roe”, constitute a highly appreciated gastronomic delicacy, causing a severe decline in natural populations worldwide. In the Mediterranean, the typical commercial echinoid species is Paracentrotus lividus; its biology, however, has not been adequately studied in the Aegean Sea. Within this context, the present study examined the reproductive biology of the edible sea urchin, P. lividus, in the Aegean Sea (Pagasitikos Gulf) over a two-year period. Adult specimens were randomly collected by SCUBA diving (3–5 m) at monthly intervals to determine the gonad-somatic index, fecundity, and gametogenesis through the morphological and histological examination of the gonads. An annual reproductive cycle was defined in both years with a clear spawning peak in early spring, conforming to previous reports from other Mediterranean populations. A discrete secondary spawning period was also detected in early winter, as the species undergoes a second gametogenic event. These results are indicative for the increased reproductive potential of P. lividus in its south distributional range, suggesting a relevant revision of the official fishing season of the species.

scholarly journals Effects of Ethinylestradiol (EE2) and an Organophosphorus Flame Retardant (TCPP) on Gonadal Maturation in the Sea Urchin, Paracentrotus lividus

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Pedro Campoy-López ◽  
Estefanía Pereira-Pinto ◽  
Leonardo Mantilla-Aldana ◽  
Ricardo Beiras
Keyword(s):  
Flame Retardant ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Gonad Development ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Estrogenic Effects ◽  
Histological Damage ◽  
Initial Stage

The sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) was used to test the effects of one of the most abundant flame retardant additives for plastics, tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), and the synthetic hormone ethinylestradiol (EE2) on gametogenesis and gonad development of adults. With this aim, 403 individuals of both sexes were exposed to TCPP concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 10 µg/L, EE2 (0.01 µg/L), seawater and solvent controls for 7 and 28 days. EE2 and TCPP exposure did not cause histological damage in the gonads. Some evidence of estrogenic effects of TCPP within the µg/L range and EE2 within the ng/L range is reported. Females exposed to 1 µg/L TCPP for 7 days showed a significant increase in gonad development assessed as gametogenic stage, females exposed to 10 µg/L TCPP showed increased gonad development both in terms of weight (Gonad Index, GI, at both 7 and 28 days) and maturation (Pixelar Index, PI), and females exposed to 10 ng/L EE2 showed increased PI after 28 days exposure. Male sea urchins exposed to both TCPP and EE2 for 7 days showed increased frequencies of low development gonad stage. However, the patterns of response are affected by the high inter-individual variability, the differing initial stage of the gonad, as well as the dosage administered.

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