Mass production of competent larvae of the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lytechinus variegatus</Emphasis> (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) |
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| Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Esperanza?BuitragoEmail author Cèsar?Lodeiros Karem?Lunar Daniela?Alvarado Federico?Indorf Khenia?Frontado Pulido?Moreno Zoila?Vasquez |
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| Institution: | (1) Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales (FLASA), Estación de Investigaciones Marinas de Margarita (EDIMAR), Porlamar, 6301, Apartaao Postal 144, Isla Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, Venezuela;(2) Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela, Universidad de Oriente, 6101 Cumaná, Estado Sucre, Venezuela |
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| Abstract: | We evaluated the mass production of competent larvae of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus cultured at three initial densities (0.25, 0.5, and 1 larvae per ml) and fed Chaetoceros muelleri. Survival, length, dry weight of larvae, and larval stage index (LSI) were estimated in each treatment as a function of the density. Density decreased during the experiment due to mortality, but the percentage was similar in all three treatments (68.5, 66.7, and 76.0%). The experiment was stopped at 13 days after fertilization, when most of the larvae were competent and had settled. There were no significant differences in survival (exceeded 65% in all treatments), length and larval stage index among treatments. However, larvae weight in the two low density treatments (1.1 ± 0.11 mg and 1.2 ± 0.05 mg, respectively) was greater than the high density treatment (0.59±0.376 mg). This study demonstrates that competent larvae of Lytechinus variegatus can be produced with less than 25% mortality in 13 days when cultures are started at densities of 0.25–1 larvae/ml. Culturing at higher densities (0.5–1 larvae/ml) had no apparent disadvantages and would reduce the cost of production. |
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| Keywords: | Culture Density Echinoid Larvae Lytechinus variegatus |
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