THE CLAVIFORM PEDICELLARIAE AND THEIR STALK GLANDS IN THE TROPICAL SEA URCHIN DIADEMA ANTILLARUM PHILIPPI

1967 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1211-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Lewis ◽  
Gail Saluja
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Acid Mucopolysaccharide ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Tropical Sea

The morphology and histology of the stalk glands of the claviform pedicellariae of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum are described. Upon stimulation, the stalk glands secrete a non-sulfated acid mucopolysaccharide.

FEEDING AND DIGESTION IN THE TROPICAL SEA URCHIN DIADEMA ANTILLARUM PHILIPPI

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Early Evening ◽  
Tropical Sea

Diadema antillarum Philippi feeds principally upon algae. Feeding activity is greatest during the afternoon and early evening and food passes through the gut in 8–12 hours. Because of the considerable amount of calcium carbonate ingested with its food, the species is of importance as an erosive agent on reefs. Enzymes for the digestion of carbohydrates with α glucoside and β glucoside linkages are present in the gut. Secretion of carbohydrases takes place in the caecum. Proteases are secreted by the caecum and foregut. A weak lipase is present. The histology of the digestive tract is described.

The effects of metals on embryo-larval and adult life stages of the sea urchin, Diadema antillarum

2005 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.K. Bielmyer ◽  
K.V. Brix ◽  
T.R. Capo ◽  
M. Grosell
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Diadema Antillarum

scholarly journals Apparent stability of a low-density Diadema antillarum regime for Puerto Rican coral reefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2193-2201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruber Rodríguez-Barreras ◽  
Alfredo Montañez-Acuña ◽  
Abimarie Otaño-Cruz ◽  
Scott D Ling
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Benthic Habitats ◽  
Stable Regime ◽  
Apparent Stability

Abstract Caribbean reefs have suffered decline in coral cover in recent decades due to recurrent anthropogenic and natural stressors. The regional collapse of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum, combined with overfishing, has contributed to a phase-shift of coral reef communities towards fleshy macroalgal dominance. Here, we examine the population dynamics of D. antillarum at five sites in Puerto Rico from 2011 to 2016 and determine trends between the sea urchin and local benthic habitats. The sea urchin population exhibited low but stable densities (with slight, but non-significant trend of increase), yet showed variability between sites. Large urchins (>60 mm test diam.) were the most abundant across sites and through time, followed by medium urchins (41–60 mm test diam.), whereas small individuals (<40 mm) were rare, indicating recruitment-limitation. Spatial and temporal differences in benthic habitats were not related to local D. antillarum abundances. Macroalgae cover declined at all sites over the 6 years, ranging 5–86%, whereas live coral cover also decreased across all sites (ranging 4–38%). Diadema antillarum populations in Puerto Rico appear stable with limited evidence for recovery trends back to pre-mass mortality densities. Full population recovery may take longer than expected; however, evidence indicates that the contemporary low-density D. antillarum population represents a novel stable regime.

Predation on a newly-stocked long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) by the batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) on a coral reef restoration site

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C Sharp ◽  
Brian A Reckenbeil
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Reef Site ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Restoration Site

This photograph documents a batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) preying on the sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) on a coral reef site enhanced with artificial shelter and staghorn coral. This interaction illustrates an interaction that to be better understood to develop a restoration strategy that harnesses positive ecological processes.

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