Abstract

LOPEZ-ORTIZ, B. Estela  and  SANCHEZ, Alberto. Effect of increased salinity in the ovum fertilization of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and Lytechinus anamesus. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.2, pp.181-184. ISSN 0188-8897.

The effects of increased salinity were evaluated on the ovum fertilization of the sea urchin species, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus Agassiz, 1863 and Lytechinus anamesus Clark, 1912, which were collected by means free-diving in the bay Todos Santos, Ensenada, B. C., Mexico. The ovum fertilization of each species of sea urchin was estimated using a range of salinity from 33.4 to 53.4‰, being considered for each case its LC₅₀. The results indicated that the capacity of fertilization of gametes decrease as the salinity increases, reaching the LC₅₀ at 43.4‰ for Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and 48.4‰ for Lytechinus anamesus, confirming previous research that recommended not exceed 40‰ to avoid adverse effects in life cycles of the marine fauna.

Keywords : Strongylocentrotus franciscanus; Lytechinus anamesus; fertilization; sea urchin gametes; LC₅₀.