scholarly journals Lipid metabolism of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in two contrasting natural habitats

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Anedda ◽  
Silvia Siliani ◽  
Riccardo Melis ◽  
Barbara Loi ◽  
Maura Baroli
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Total Lipids ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Recovery Stage ◽  
Sea Grass ◽  
Halopteris Scoparia

AbstractSea urchins Paracentrotus lividus were harvested monthly from April 2015 to March 2016 from two sites in Sardinia (Italy). The two sites, a Posidonia oceanica meadow and a rocky bottom habitat, were naturally characterized by different food sources and availability, being mainly populated by the sea grass Posidonia oceanica and the brown algae Halopteris scoparia, respectively. Total lipids showed a minimum during winter in mature gonads, and a maximum in the summer (recovery stage). Fatty acid (FA) profiles of gut contents and gonads differed from those of the most available food sources. Levels of C18:3 (n-3) (ALA) discriminated samples from the two sites. Despite the very low amounts of C20:5 (n-3) (EPA) and C20:4 (n-6) (ARA) in P. oceanica, the main FA in gonads and gut contents were EPA and ARA in both sites. Increase in green algae intake prior to gametogenesis, especially C. cylindracea, likely affected EPA and ARA levels in gonads. The results show that P. lividus is able to concentrate lipids in gut contents and also to selectively store EPA, ARA and their precursors ALA and 18:2 (n-6) (LA). Moreover, bioconversion of ALA to EPA and of LA to ARA in P. lividus is suggested.

scholarly journals Sea turtle diving and foraging behaviour around the Greek Island of Kefalonia

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D.R. Houghton ◽  
Andrew Woolmer ◽  
Graeme C. Hays
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Mytilus Galloprovincialis ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Bivalve Mollusc ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Neutral Buoyancy ◽  
Sea Grass ◽  
Foraging Site ◽  
Greek Island

The discovery of a shallow water (<2 m) foraging site off the Greek Island of Kefalonia, where diving and foraging behaviour of male loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) could be observed simultaneously, was of great interest. The preferred food sources were shown to be the bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis, the sea grass Posidonia oceanica, and the entrails of fish discarded by local fishermen. Whilst foraging, the turtles generally rested on the seabed and employed their forelimbs to clear away detritus from their selected prey. Foraging dives were of short duration (mean ±SE = 2.3 ±0.43 min, N=96) compared to deeper dives reported in the literature presumably, because of the small lung volumes required to attain neutral buoyancy at such shallow depths.

HPLC analysis of algal pigments to define diet of sea urchins

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haug ◽  
Monique Guillou ◽  
Solène Connan ◽  
Fabienne Goulard ◽  
Marcel Diouris
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Coralline Algae ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Algal Pigments ◽  
Pigment Analysis ◽  
Algal Groups

A method for a qualitative analysis of sea urchin diet is based on the characterization of the photosynthetic pigment indices of the major algal groups in the sea urchin gut. The pigments were separated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). This study demonstrated that HPLC is a better method to estimate chlorophyll-a in the gut contents than the conventional spectrophotometric methods which overestimate the amounts by including chlorophyll-a breakdown products. Three sea urchins species, Paracentrotus lividus, Psammechinus miliaris and Sphaerechinus granularis, settled on the loose-lying coralline algae (maerl) in the Bay of Brest (France), were used in this study. The algal pigments identified within the gut contents included chlorophylls-a, -b, -c, fucoxanthin, lutein, βε-carotene and ββ-carotene. The presence of chlorophylls and carotenoid biomarkers was used to characterize the three algal groups: Rhodophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae in estimating sea urchin diet. The pigment analysis reported here demonstrated that the three species of sea urchins investigated mainly consumed Rhodophyceae which dominate the epibenthic flora in the study area.

scholarly journals Presence and biodistribution of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in Paracentrotus lividus highlight its potential application for environmental biomonitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Savoca ◽  
Raffaella Melfi ◽  
Antonio Palumbo Piccionello ◽  
Salvatore Barreca ◽  
Silvestre Buscemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Potential Application ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Polluted Site ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Coelomic Fluid ◽  
Pfoa Concentration

AbstractThe first determination of presence and biodistribution of PFOA in ninety specimens of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from two differently contaminated sites along Palermo’s coastline (Sicily) is reported. Analyses were performed on the sea urchins’ coelomic fluids, coelomocytes, gonads or mixed organs, as well as on seawater and Posidonia oceanica leaves samples from the collection sites. PFOA concentration ranged between 1 and 13 ng/L in seawater and between 0 and 794 ng/g in P. oceanica. The analyses carried out on individuals of P. lividus from the least polluted site (A) showed PFOA median values equal to 0 in all the matrices (coelomic fluid, coelomocytes and gonads). Conversely, individuals collected from the most polluted site (B) showed median PFOA concentrations of 21 ng/g in coelomic fluid, 153 ng/g in coelomocytes, and 195 ng/g in gonads. Calculated bioconcentration factors of log10BCF > 3.7 confirmed the very bioaccumulative nature of PFOA. Significant correlations were found between the PFOA concentration of the coelomic fluid versus the total PFOA concentration of the entire sea urchin. PERMANOVA (p = 0.001) end Welch's t-test (p < 0.001) analyses showed a difference between specimens collected from the two sites highlighting the potential application of P. lividus as sentinel species for PFOA biomonitoring.

scholarly journals Sub-Chronic Effects of Slight PAH- and PCB-Contaminated Mesocosms in Paracentrotus lividus Lmk: A Multi-Endpoint Approach and De Novo Transcriptomic

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6674
Author(s):  
Luisa Albarano ◽  
Valerio Zupo ◽  
Davide Caramiello ◽  
Maria Toscanesi ◽  
Marco Trifuoggi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
De Novo Transcriptome ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Endpoint Approach

Sediment pollution is a major issue in coastal areas, potentially endangering human health and the marine environments. We investigated the short-term sublethal effects of sediments contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus for two months. Spiking occurred at concentrations below threshold limit values permitted by the law (TLVPAHs = 900 µg/L, TLVPCBs = 8 µg/L, Legislative Italian Decree 173/2016). A multi-endpoint approach was adopted, considering both adults (mortality, bioaccumulation and gonadal index) and embryos (embryotoxicity, genotoxicity and de novo transcriptome assembly). The slight concentrations of PAHs and PCBs added to the mesocosms were observed to readily compartmentalize in adults, resulting below the detection limits just one week after their addition. Reconstructed sediment and seawater, as negative controls, did not affect sea urchins. PAH- and PCB-spiked mesocosms were observed to impair P. lividus at various endpoints, including bioaccumulation and embryo development (mainly PAHs) and genotoxicity (PAHs and PCBs). In particular, genotoxicity tests revealed that PAHs and PCBs affected the development of P. lividus embryos deriving from exposed adults. Negative effects were also detected by generating a de novo transcriptome assembly and its annotation, as well as by real-time qPCR performed to identify genes differentially expressed in adults exposed to the two contaminants. The effects on sea urchins (both adults and embryos) at background concentrations of PAHs and PCBs below TLV suggest a need for further investigations on the impact of slight concentrations of such contaminants on marine biota.

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.

scholarly journals Floating nurseries? Scyphozoan jellyfish, their food and their rich symbiotic fauna in a tropical estuary

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M Riascos ◽  
Willington Aguirre ◽  
Charlotte Hopfe ◽  
Diego Morales ◽  
Ángela Navarrete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
The Body ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Bell Diameter ◽  
Associated Fauna ◽  
Size Relationship ◽  
Scyphozoan Jellyfish

The anthropogenic modification of basal trophic pathways is seemingly prompting the increase of jellyfish populations at the expense of planktivorous fishes. However, gross generalizations are often made because the most basic aspects of trophic ecology and the diverse interactions of jellyfish with fishes remain poorly described. Here we inquire on the dynamics of food consumption of the medusoid stage of the scyphozoan jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris and characterize the traits and diversity of its symbiotic community. S. meleagris and their associated fauna were sampled in surface waters between November 2015 and April 2017 in Málaga Bay, an estuarine system at the Colombian Pacific. Stomach contents of medusae were examined and changes in prey composition and abundance over time analysed using a multivariate approach. The associated fauna was identified and the relationship between the size of medusae and the size their symbionts tested using least-square fitting procedures. The presence of S. meleagris medusa in surface waters was seasonal. The gut contents analysis revealed that algae, copepods and fish early life stages were the more abundant items, and PERMANOVA analysis showed that the diet differed within the seasons (P(perm)=0.001) but not between seasons (P(perm)=0.134). The majority of the collected medusae (50.4 %) were associated to individuals of 11 symbiotic species, 95.3% of them fishes, 3.1% crustaceans and 1.6% molluscs. Thereby, this study reports 10 previously unknown associations. The bell diameter of S. meleagris was positively related to the body sizes of their symbionts. However, a stronger fit was observed when the size relationship between S. meleagris and the fish Hemicaranx zelotes was modelled. The ocurrence of S. meleagris was highly seasonal, and the observed patterns of mean body size through the seasons suggested the arrival of adult medusae to the estuary from adjacent waters. The diet of S. meleagris in the study area showed differences with previous reports, chiefly because of the consistent abundance of algae that are seemingly ingested but not digested. The low number of zooplanktonic items in gut contents suggest the contribution of alternative food sources not easily identifiable. The observed changes in the composition of food in the guts probably reflect seasonal changes in the availability of prey items. The regular pattern in the distribution of symbionts among medusae (a single symbiont per host) and the positive host-symbiont size relationship reflects antagonistic intraspecific and interspecific behaviour of the symbiont. This strongly suggest that medusa represent an “economically defendable resource” that potentially increases the survival and recruitment of the symbionts to the adult population. We argue that, if this outcome of the symbiotic association can be proven, scyphozoan jellyfish can be regarded as floating nurseries.

scholarly journals Contrasting recruitment seasonality of sea urchin species in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic)

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. GARCIA-SANZ ◽  
P. G. NAVARRO ◽  
F. TUYA
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Gran Canaria ◽  
Arbacia Lixula

Despite sea-urchins can play an important role affecting the community structure of subtidal bottoms, factors controlling the dynamics of sea-urchin populations are still poorly understood. We assessed the seasonal variation in recruitment of three sea-urchin species (Diadema africanum, Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula) at Gran Canaria Island (eastern Atlantic) via monthly deployment of artificial collectors throughout an entire annual cycle on each of four adjacent habitat patches (seagrasses, sandy patches, ‘urchin-grazed’ barrens and macroalgal-dominated beds) within a shallow coastal landscape. Paracentrotus lividus and A. lixula had exclusively one main recruitment peak in late winter-spring. Diadema africanum recruitment was also seasonal, but recruits appeared in late summer-autumn, particularly on ‘urchin-grazed’ barrens with large abundances of adult conspecifics. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated non-overlapping seasonal recruitment patterns of the less abundant species (P. lividus and A. lixula) with the most conspicuous species (D. africanum) in the study area.

scholarly journals Feeding preferences of amphipod crustaceans Ampithoe ramondi and Gammarella fucicola for Posidonia oceanica seeds and leaves

2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Inés Castejón-Silvo ◽  
Damià Jaume ◽  
Jorge Terrados
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Paracentrotus Lividus ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Idotea Baltica ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Sarpa Salpa

The functional importance of herbivory in seagrass beds is highly variable among systems. In Mediterranean seagrass meadows, macroherbivores, such as the fish Sarpa salpa and the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, have received most research attention, so published evidence highlights their importance in seagrass consumption. The role of small crustaceans in seagrass consumption remains less studied in the region. Herbivory on Posidonia oceanica seeds has not previously been reported. In turn, crustacean herbivory on P. oceanica leaves is broadly recognized, although the species feeding on the seagrass are mostly unknown (except for Idotea baltica). This work evaluates P. oceanica consumption by two species of amphipod crustaceans commonly found in seagrass meadows. Ampithoe ramondi and Gammarella fucicola actively feed on P. oceanica leaves and seeds. Both species preferred seeds to leaves only when the seed coat was damaged. This study provides the first direct evidence of consumption of P. oceanica seeds by the two named amphipod crustaceans, and confirms that they also consume leaves of this seagrass species.

scholarly journals Floating nurseries? Scyphozoan jellyfish, their food and their rich symbiotic fauna in a tropical estuary

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M Riascos ◽  
Willington Aguirre ◽  
Charlotte Hopfe ◽  
Diego Morales ◽  
Ángela Navarrete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
The Body ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Bell Diameter ◽  
Associated Fauna ◽  
Size Relationship ◽  
Scyphozoan Jellyfish

The anthropogenic modification of basal trophic pathways is seemingly prompting the increase of jellyfish populations at the expense of planktivorous fishes. However, gross generalizations are often made because the most basic aspects of trophic ecology and the diverse interactions of jellyfish with fishes remain poorly described. Here we inquire on the dynamics of food consumption of the medusoid stage of the scyphozoan jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris and characterize the traits and diversity of its symbiotic community. S. meleagris and their associated fauna were sampled in surface waters between November 2015 and April 2017 in Málaga Bay, an estuarine system at the Colombian Pacific. Stomach contents of medusae were examined and changes in prey composition and abundance over time analysed using a multivariate approach. The associated fauna was identified and the relationship between the size of medusae and the size their symbionts tested using least-square fitting procedures. The presence of S. meleagris medusa in surface waters was seasonal. The gut contents analysis revealed that algae, copepods and fish early life stages were the more abundant items, and PERMANOVA analysis showed that the diet differed within the seasons (P(perm)=0.001) but not between seasons (P(perm)=0.134). The majority of the collected medusae (50.4 %) were associated to individuals of 11 symbiotic species, 95.3% of them fishes, 3.1% crustaceans and 1.6% molluscs. Thereby, this study reports 10 previously unknown associations. The bell diameter of S. meleagris was positively related to the body sizes of their symbionts. However, a stronger fit was observed when the size relationship between S. meleagris and the fish Hemicaranx zelotes was modelled. The ocurrence of S. meleagris was highly seasonal, and the observed patterns of mean body size through the seasons suggested the arrival of adult medusae to the estuary from adjacent waters. The diet of S. meleagris in the study area showed differences with previous reports, chiefly because of the consistent abundance of algae that are seemingly ingested but not digested. The low number of zooplanktonic items in gut contents suggest the contribution of alternative food sources not easily identifiable. The observed changes in the composition of food in the guts probably reflect seasonal changes in the availability of prey items. The regular pattern in the distribution of symbionts among medusae (a single symbiont per host) and the positive host-symbiont size relationship reflects antagonistic intraspecific and interspecific behaviour of the symbiont. This strongly suggest that medusa represent an “economically defendable resource” that potentially increases the survival and recruitment of the symbionts to the adult population. We argue that, if this outcome of the symbiotic association can be proven, scyphozoan jellyfish can be regarded as floating nurseries.

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