Annual reproductive cycle of Atlantic Sea Urchin in the Southern Gulf of Mexico

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Biomedical; Cell & Molecular Biology; Chemistry & Biochemistry; Marine Science; Systematics & Evolutionary Biology.
  In Poster Session: Marine Science Poster Session

Abstract

Sea urchins are among the oldest living sea creatures in the world. Sea urchins are unique invertebrates and differ from other organisms due to their notable lack of organs. The importance of sea urchins is often overlooked, yet they play major environmental and economic roles. Our research has been focused on Atlantic sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata important for seafood (e.g. Japanese Sushi). In order to acquire a better understanding of their population and to prevent their extinction, our objective is to determine the annual reproductive cycle of sea urchins in southern Gulf of Mexico waters. Annual changes in the oocyte (immature egg) and ova (mature egg) in the ovary, as well as sperm production in the testis of Arbacia, were investigated histologically. The gonadosomatic index (GSI, gonad weight/body weight*100) values were high from May through August, significantly decreased in October, and were maintained at low levels until April. During summer months, the ovaries were occupied by mature eggs. Testes were also fully occupied by large amounts of sperm. These results suggest that Arbacia would start spawning several times for the following summer months in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Authors

• Eleazar Hernandez, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

• Omar Vazquez, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

• Andre Torruco, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

• MD Saydur Rahman, University of Texas Rio Grande