Effects of thermal stress on the larval of the purple sea urchin, "Strongylocentrotus purpuratus" (Stimpson, 1857)

Abstract

The present study is focused in the study of the embryonic and larval development of purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, when are developed under stress at 3 different temperatures (19ºC, 22ºC and 25ºC), taking into account the parameters of dissolved oxygen and pH, in order to simulate the limits they can suffer in the environment due to the increase in seawater temperature . Using the calculation of the length and daily monitoring of the purple sea urchin larvae culture in the different temperature treatments, it was demonstrated that at 25ºC they were able to resist the fertilization process, but they did not survive the development. In the other hand at low temperatures had apparent positive effects on their development, the larvae length is greater and their morphology more regular in the treatment at 19ºC that at 22ºC.