Embryonic and larval development is conditioned by sea water temperatures and the maternal origin of the eggs in the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

FERNÁNDEZ, J.P.; CHAAR, F.B.; EPHERRA, L.; GONZÁLEZ-ARAVENA, J.M.; RUBILAR, T.

REVISTA DE BIOLOGíA TROPICAL

REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL

Lugar: Turrialba; Año: 2021

0034-7744

Introduction: Embryonic and larval development in sea urchins is highly dependent on the maternal nutritional status and on the environmental seawater conditions. Objective: To compare the development of Arbacia dufresnii in two different water temperatures and in progeny with different maternal origin. Methods: A. dufresnii females and males from Golfo Nuevo were induced to spawn. The eggs of each female were individually collected (called progeny one to four), separated into two seawater temperatures (12 and 17 °C), and fertilized. The percentage of fertilized eggs was measured. The percentage of embryos in the different developmental stages was quantified according to the time, temperature and progeny. Larval growth was measured using the morphometric variables? total length (TL) and midline body length (M) according to the time, temperature and progeny. Embryo percentage in the explanatory variables? development stages, temperature, time and progeny, as well as the larval growth with the explanatory variables? temperature, time and progeny, were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLM). Results: Fertilization was not significantly different between the different temperature treatments. Embryo development was faster and more synchronized in the high temperature treatment, and, also, a progeny effect was observed. The GLM analysis indicates that embryo development depends on a quadrupole interaction between the embryonic stage, time (h), seawater temperature and progeny. Larval growth (TL and M) increased in size more rapidly and is larger at the highest temperature. The GLM analysis indicates that larval growth depends on a triple interaction between the time (DPF), seawater temperature and progeny. Conclusions: We found a strong temperature and progeny influence during embryonic and larval development and, in both cases, these factors incur a synergistic effect on developmental timing and larval size. This could provide a survival advantage as a more rapid development speed implies a decrease in the time in the water column, where they are vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stressors.