RESUMO
Background Sea urchins can be found throughout the Brazilian coast and are reported to be one of the major causes of marine accidents on the shoreline. Although not lethal, these accidents are reported to be extremely painful. In order to understand the toxinology of the Brazilian urchins, a peptidomic approach was performed aiming to characterize the naturally occurring peptides in both the coelomic fluid and the spine. Methods Animals were collected without gender distinction and samples of the coelomic fluid and spines extracted were analyzed by RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry for peptide de novo sequencing. Results Several peptides were identified either in the coelomic fluid or the spine extract (except for E. lucunter). The peptide sequences were aligned with public deposited sequences and possible functions were inferred. Moreover, some peptides can be cryptides, since their sequences were identified within functional proteins, for example thymosin from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Conclusions Although preliminary, the peptidomic approach presented here reports, for the first time, the abundance of novel biological molecules derived from these animals. The discovery of such molecules may be of potential biotechnological application, as described for other organisms; nevertheless, further studies are required.(AU)
Assuntos
Peptídeos , Ouriços-do-Mar , Produtos Biológicos , Arbacia , Lytechinus , ToxicologiaRESUMO
Sea urchins can be found throughout the Brazilian coast and are reported to be one of the major causes of marine accidents on the shoreline. Although not lethal, these accidents are reported to be extremely painful. In order to understand the toxinology of the Brazilian urchins, a peptidomic approach was performed aiming to characterize the naturally occurring peptides in both the coelomic fluid and the spine. Methods Animals were collected without gender distinction and samples of the coelomic fluid and spines extracted were analyzed by RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry for peptide de novo sequencing. Results Several peptides were identified either in the coelomic fluid or the spine extract (except for E. lucunter). The peptide sequences were aligned with public deposited sequences and possible functions were inferred. Moreover, some peptides can be cryptides, since their sequences were identified within functional proteins, for example thymosin from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Conclusions Although preliminary, the peptidomic approach presented here reports, for the first time, the abundance of novel biological molecules derived from these animals. The discovery of such molecules may be of potential biotechnological application, as described for other organisms; nevertheless, further studies are required.
Assuntos
Animais , Arbacia/classificação , Arbacia/química , Lytechinus/classificação , Lytechinus/química , Peptídeos/análise , Peptídeos/químicaRESUMO
Resumen Con el fin de establecer las épocas óptimas de explotación como posible recurso marisquero de dos especies de erizos de mar en Canarias, se estudió la evolución temporal del índice gonadal en diferentes años y localidades de Paracentrotus lividus (abril de 2006 a marzo de 2008 en la isla de Tenerife y en dos localidades: Las Galletas y La Jaca; abril de 2006 a enero de 2009 en la isla de Gran Canaria y en dos localidades: Ojos de Garza y Gando), y de Diadema africanum (de enero de 2010 a mayo de 2011 en la isla de Gran Canaria y en tres localidades: Risco Verde, Arguineguín y Agaete). En el caso de P. lividus, que se encuentra en el límite sur de su distribución, se constató la presencia de varios picos máximos anuales en el índice gonadal, probablemente relacionados con la temperatura. Estas épocas de mayor índice gonadal se correspondieron con los estados de maduración de las gónadas. La principal época de madurez coincidió con el otoño y comienzo del invierno (agosto, octubre y diciembre). Existió emisión de gametos esporádicos en el año según la localidad, en abril, en verano (junio, julio o agosto), otoño (septiembre u octubre) e invierno (diciembre, enero o febrero). Posiblemente esta situación tan dispar sea debido a la exposición al hidrodinamismo de la zona y a la presencia o no de abundante alimento. Para D. africanum se presentó el máximo índice en los meses de mayo-junio, con prácticamente pocas variaciones anuales en la localidad situada más al sur (Arguineguín). En conclusión, las dos especies de erizos serían complementarias como recursos marisqueros, ya que no se superponen sus periodos de máximos IG (época de captura) en el año.
Abstract There are three main species of regular sea urchins in the Canary Islands. To establish the optimal fishing seasons for two of them, we studied the evolution of the gonadal index in several years and locations, of Paracentrotus lividus (April 2006 to March 2008 on Tenerife island in two locations: Las Galletas and La Jaca and from April 2006 to January 2009 in Gran Canaria island in two locations: Ojos de Garza and Gando), and Diadema africanum (January 2010 to May 2011 on Gran Canaria island in three locations: Risco Verde, Arguineguin and Agaete). In the case of P. lividus, located on the southern edge of their distribution, the presence of several annual maximum gonadal indez peak was observed, probably related to the temperature. These times of gonadal index increases corresponded to the stages of maturation. The main period of maturity coincided with the fall and early winter (August, October and December). There was sporadic emissions of gametes depending on location, in April, during the summer (June, July or August), autumn (September or October) and winter (December, January or February). This fragmented situation is possibly due to exposure to the hydrodynamic area's and food abundance. The maximum presence of D. africanum occurred in the months of May to June, with virtually no variations throughout the year, in the southernmost locality (Arguineguin). In conclusion, the two species of sea urchins would be complementary shellfish resources, as their periods of maximum GI (Gonadal Index, capture time) do not overlap during the year. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (Suppl. 2): 251-260. Epub 2015 June 01.
Assuntos
Animais , Ouriços-do-Mar/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Lytechinus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Espanha , ComércioRESUMO
The sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is of some commercial importance on the Southern coast of Margarita Island (Venezuela), where artisan women fishers process and sell the roe. The reproduction cycle of this species had not been fully studied. We collected these sea urchins in two stations from November 1997 through October 1998. The samples were transported fresh to the laboratory to determine weight, diameter and height. The sexual stage was established with a macroscopic scale and the gonadosomatic index (GI). Maturity is achieved when the animals reaches a diameter of 22 mm, although 50% of the population reaches sexual development at diameters of 43 mm (males) and 45 mm (females) at Station 1, and 35 mm for both sexes at Station 2. Mature individuals, in a sexual proportion of 1:1 were collected every month. According to the monthly GI variation and frequency (%) of the development stages, on the southern beaches the main reproductive period begins in April and continues through October, and it is most intensive from May to July, when gonads reach the greatest growth
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Feminino , Lytechinus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Reprodução/fisiologia , Comportamento Sexual Animal/fisiologia , Peso Corporal , Densidade Demográfica , Estações do Ano , Água do Mar , Maturidade Sexual/fisiologia , VenezuelaRESUMO
The sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is a promissory species for aquaculture activities in tropical countries. In Venezuela, this species has some economical importance but their embryonic and larval development had not been studied. We collected specimens from seagrass beds in Margarita Island (Venezuela) and kept them in the laboratory, where they spawned naturally. With filtered sea water (temperature 28 degrees C, salinity 37 psu) and moderate aeration, the eggs and sperm were mixed (relation 1:100) and reached a 90% fertilization rate. The fertilization envelope was observed after two minutes, the first cellular division after 45 minutes and the prism larval stage after 13 hours. The echinopluteus larval stage was reached after 17 hours and metamorphosis after 18 days of planktonic life, when the larvae start their benthic phase.
Assuntos
Animais , Lytechinus/embriologia , Óvulo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Divisão Celular , Embrião não Mamífero , Fertilização , Larva , Lytechinus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , VenezuelaRESUMO
We evaluated the biological feasibility of massive larvae and postlarvae production of the Caribbean green-white urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Experiments were designed to choose the initial larval density and microalgae diets under culture, to study metamorphosis, postlarval and juvenile growth. Massive production of competent larvae 650 microm long at 12-13 days is possible using larval densities of 0.25 to 1 larva/ml. The microalgae Rhodomonas sp. was suitable for the optimization of larval growth and survival. Metamorphosis of 100% of the larvae can be induced with films of bentic diatoms (Navicula sp. and Amphora sp.), after 96 h; however, diatoms are not adequate for postlarval development and a food supply of Ulva lactuta is necessary for proper growth. For juveniles, a diet of macroalgae (U. lactuta) and/or commercial marine shrimp culture pellet food is enough for growth, but the best results were obtained with shrimp or U. lactuta used alone (85-86%, against 46% with the mixed diet). We recommend future experiments on nutritional requirements to optimize growth of these and subsequent stages
