Effects of microalgae treated with natural toxins on the nutrition and development of filter-feeding sea-urchin larvae

Filter-feeding larvae of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were chosen as a model to assess the effects of natural toxins on survival, development and feeding behaviour when fed with phytoplankton exposed to sublethal concentrations of toxins. Sensitivity to the toxin-treated food depended on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 1999-01, Vol.48 (3), p.177-192
Main Authors: Pedrotti, M L, Lemee, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Filter-feeding larvae of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were chosen as a model to assess the effects of natural toxins on survival, development and feeding behaviour when fed with phytoplankton exposed to sublethal concentrations of toxins. Sensitivity to the toxin-treated food depended on the larval stage of development. First feeding larval stages were most sensitive with only 25 per cent survival and a 32 per cent delay in development and metamorphosis rate. Diet at the 8-arm stage caused decreased survival and abnormal development but did not retard metamorphosis. Mortality was highest during the formation of the echinus rudiment. Feeding experiments also showed that larvae discriminated against toxin-treated particles. There are 53 references.
ISSN:0141-1136