Effect of different feed formulations on feed efficiency, gonad yield and gonad quality in the purple sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma

The nutritive values of three pelleted prepared diets, based on animal (AP), vegetable (VP) and yeast protein (YP) were studied for the sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma (Val.). Fresh macroalga Ulva australis was used as a natural control diet. Triplicate groups of five animals were fed one of the four diets ad libitum every second day for 85 days. Sea urchins fed pelleted feeds had significantly higher food consumption rates (dry basis) and significantly lower total and protein absorption efficiencies compared with the algal diet. The gonad yield and gonad production efficiency in sea urchins fed the natural diet were significantly higher compared with initial group (gonad yield only) and urchins fed animal and vegetable diets, but did not differ significantly from those of the animals fed the yeast diet. Percent protein and lipid in the gonads were not affected by the dietary source. The taste and smell of gonads were generally better in sea urchins collected from the wild or fed yeast and natural diets than in sea urchins fed animal and vegetable diets. The animal protein diet was the most stable in seawater while the yeast protein diet had the poorest water stability. The results of this study suggest that development of a more stable, single‐cell, protein‐based diet has a potential to promote gonad production of H. erythrogramma.     

Optimizing Prepared Feed Ration for Gonad Production of the Green Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Adult green sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were fed three different quantities (0.25, 0.50, 1.00% body weight/d) of a prepared feed during a 12‐wk experiment to determine the effect of food ration on gonad quantity and quality. A diet of kelp, Laminaria longicruris and/or L. digitata, fed at satiation (3% body weight/d) and urchins taken from the wild at the beginning and end of the experiment served as controls. Urchins fed prepared feed or kelp increased their percent gonad yield significantly over the experimental period. Affer 12 wk, individuals fed the prepared diet at 0.50 or 1.00% body weighffd had significantly higher percent gonad yields (mean ± SEM: 23.5 ± 0.6% and 23.4 ± 0.7%, respectively) than urchins fed at 0.25% body weight/d (18.0 ± 1.0%) or control animals given kelp (18.3 ± 0.8%). There was no significant difference in gonad yield between the 0.50 and 1.00% feeding levels. All feeding treatments had significantly higher percent gonad yields than urchins sampled from the wild at the end of the experiment that had recently spawned (2.8 ± 0.5%). There was no significant difference in gonad taste among urchins fed the prepared diet at 0.25% body weight/d, those given kelp, or those collected from the wild at the end of the experiment (good to very good ratings), but all of these treatments had significantly better tasting gonads than urchins given the prepared feed at 0.50 or 1.00% body weight/d (satisfactory ratings). Gonad taste rating of urchins fed a prepared diet was dependent on ration with greater feed amounts leading to worse tasting gonads (linear regression: r²= 0.68, P < 0.01). Gonad color, texture, and firmness did not differ significantly among any of the feed ration treatments or kelp control. Results suggest that the best ration for prepared feed would be 0.50% body weightld since this would optimize gonad yield while minimizing feed costs. Further research on prepared feeds is required to optimize both gonad color and taste.     

Increased gonad growth of the purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) fed the giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and the sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) enriched with nutrients

Adult (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) purple sea urchins were fed giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) macroalgae that were unenriched and enriched with nutrients. Urchins were fed over 10 weeks (5% body weight per day) under laboratory conditions to determine the effect of macroalgae species and treatment (enriched and unenriched) on growth, gonad index and gonad quality. Significant differences were observed when urchins were fed enriched Macrocystis pyrifera (MPE). Gonad weight increased from 0.7 ± 0.1 g (mean ± SD) to 5.9 ± 1 g, and gonad index increase from 3.5 ± 1.5% to 14.9 ± 2.3% over 10 weeks. Significant differences were also noted in gonad quality, and gonad colour and firmness were better in urchins that were fed unenriched M. pyrifera (MPUE) and MPE – whereas texture did not differ between M. pyrifera treatments and unenriched U. lactuca (ULUE). With regard to taste, gonads were sweeter in MPE‐fed individuals. Enriched U. lactuca (ULE) failed to grow gonads significantly; as a result, their quality was unacceptable for the market. These results suggest that S. purpuratus experience increased gonad production and quality in short periods when fed nutrient‐enriched M. pyrifera.     

The effect of fresh seaweed and a formulated diet supplemented with seaweed on the growth and gonad quality of the collector sea urchin,Tripneustes gratilla,under farm conditions

This gonad enhancement study investigates the effect of different fresh and formulated feeds and feeding regimes on the growth and gonad quality of wild‐collected adult sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, under farm conditions for over 18 weeks. In the first 12 weeks (phase 1), urchins were fed fresh Ulva rigida (U); a 50:50 mixture of fresh U. rigida and Gracilaria gracilis (UG); fresh G. gracilis (G) and a formulated diet 20U (containing 20% U. rigida), and in the final 6 weeks (phase 2) of the study, diet was changed to a formulated feed (20U diet). By the end of phase 1, urchins fed the 20U diet produced gonads (50.72 ± 5.4 g) that were significantly heavier (p < .001) than the gonads of urchins fed the fresh seaweed diets (U, UG & G). By the end of phase 2, gonad weight of urchins in treatment groups UG‐20U and G‐20U were similar to those fed the 20U‐20U diet. Gonad colour of urchins in the G‐20U treatment became significantly lighter (ANOVA, p = .029) and poorer quality, compared with urchins in the U‐20U group. This gonad enhancement study, conducted on wild‐collected adult T. gratilla, has shown that a formulated feed (20U diet) can enhance gonad growth and produce commercially acceptable gonads. This farm‐based study supports previous findings from aquarium‐based studies by our group and indicates that short‐term sea urchin gonad enhancement can be carried out under farm conditions in South Africa.     

Gonad quality of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus cultured in an offshore pilot‐scale trial on the south‐east Italian coast

A pilot project aimed at testing roe enhancement strategies based on offshore Paracentrotus lividus cultures was conducted off the south‐east coast of Italy (Apulia Region). Adult sea urchins were reared in sea cages located 700 m offshore at a depth of 12 m for 3 months. The animals were fed once a week on two formulated diets, prepared mixing nutrients with agar 20 g/Kg and differing only in terms of the protein source: anchovy flour (Diet A) or krill flour (Diet K). At the end of the rearing trial, the gonad somatic index of sea urchins fed on formulated diets significantly exceeded that of wild sea urchins. Total FAA content in the gonads of wild sea urchins and Diet A‐fed sea urchins was similar, whereas in Diet K‐fed sea urchins it was significantly higher. In terms of fatty acids, the gonads contained SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs. In visual and sensory assessment of gonads by panel test and electronic nose, the gonads of reared sea urchins were rated as being of better size, while no differences were recorded for coloration, taste and odour. This study shows that under these experimental conditions, commercial‐grade Paracentrotus lividus roe enhancement can be achieved after 3 months in sea cages.     

Effect of Feed Protein and Carbohydrate Levels on Feed Intake,Growth, and Gonad Production of the Sea Urchin,Lytechinus variegatus

In this study, we evaluated protein and carbohydrate levels in cold‐extruded dry diets. Sea urchins (12.6 ± 0.12 SE g wet weight, 29.5 ± 0.11 SE mm diameter) were collected from St. Joseph Bay, Florida (30°N, 85.5°W), and transported to the Texas Agrilife Research Mariculture Laboratory in Port Aransas, Texas. Urchins were held individually in replicated enclosures within a recirculating seawater system (32 ± 2 ppt and 22 ± 2 C). Urchins (n = 16urchins) were fed diets that differed in protein : carbohydrate levels (31:33%, 25:39%, 21:44%, and 17:47% dry weight) for 12‐wk. Survival was 100% in all diet treatments. Urchins fed the 31:33% protein : carbohydrate diet consumed less feed, more dry protein, less dry carbohydrate, less energy, and had lower feed conversion ratios than urchins fed other diets. Urchins fed the 31:33% protein : carbohydrate diet had larger test diameters, total wet weights, production efficiencies, and gonad production efficiencies than urchins in the other diets. Weight gain varied directly and significantly with protein intake. Sufficient energy was available for maximum weight gain as protein was spared. Growth rates and production efficiencies for the urchins in this study were higher than in previous feeding studies with adult Lytechinus variegatus.     

The development of a formulated feed containing Ulva (Chlorophyta) to promote rapid growth and enhanced production of high quality roe in the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus)

This study investigated growth and gonad production of Tripneustes gratilla fed four protein‐rich artificial diets supplemented with varying amounts (0%, 5%, 15% and 20% weight/weight (w/w); designated 0, 5, 15 and 20U, respectively) of the macroalga Ulva over a 12‐week period. Gonad size, texture, colour and a number of production performance parameters were quantified and compared with urchins fed fresh Ulva (FU) and a combination of FU and artificial feed (FB). All artificial diets significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased gonad somatic indices (GSI) compared with the FU treatment. The 20U treatment increased GSI by 205% by week 9, compared with a 57% increase in the GSI of urchins fed FU. Gonad colour was calculated using three colour parameters, namely L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness). Whereas L* and a* values did not differ significantly between treatments, b* values for all treatments, with the exception of the 20U and FB treatments, were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower or less yellow than the FU treatment by week 12. These results show that we have successfully formulated a feed (20U) which can produce commercially acceptable gonads in terms of both size and colour, indicating the potential for this artificial feed to support commercial echinoculture.     

Influence of broodstock diet on somatic growth,fecundity, gonad carotenoids and larval survival of sea urchin

The effects of formulated feeds on Paracentrotus lividus broodstock performances and carotenoid compositions were investigated. Performance of offspring derived from each dietary treatment was compared to determine whether maternal provisioning of nutrients affected offspring development and survival under commercial culture conditions. At the end of the experimental period (3 months), urchins were induced to spawn, relative fecundity measured, and offspring derived from each treatment were reared independently and survival up to competence assessed. Carotenoid composition of the gonads was also measured. Data showed that the highest dietary protein content significantly improved somatic growth, whereas higher lipid content increased gonadal index (GI) consistent with the use of gonads as nutrient storage in sea urchins. Nonetheless, gonad lipid concentration was not significantly different between treatments indicating that higher dietary lipid content favoured gonadal size rather than increase lipid content of the gonadal tissue. Interestingly, GI and fecundity were not correlated, although the latter may have been enhanced by dietary xanthophyll. This suggests the importance of including carotenoids in broodstock diets to enhance hatchery outputs. This study also indicated that, although broodstock diet can influence fecundity, it had no significant impact on larval survival, which could instead be influenced by rearing conditions.     

Carotenoid composition of a New Zealand (Evechinus chloroticus) and an Australian (Heliocidaris erythrogramma) sea urchin in relation to gonad colour

Sea urchins are commercially harvested for their edible gonads, also known as roe or uni. Most species, particularly those from the Northern hemisphere are reported to exhibit limited variation in gonad colour, which is proposed to be due to carotenoid pigments. The commercially harvested species from New Zealand, Evechinus chloroticus, and from Australia, Heliocidaris erythrogramma, however, exhibit considerable gonad colour variation, ranging from a culinary desirable light yellow/orange to an undesirable brown. Gonads from E. chloroticus and H. erythrogramma were characterized spectrophotometrically and the carotenoid content extracted and analysed by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The main carotenoid found in the gonads of both species was 9′‐cis‐echinenone, with lower levels of all‐trans‐echinenone, lutein and isozeaxanthin. Carotenoid composition contributed to the yellow/orange colour components of the gonads, but was not correlated with the darker roe coloration observed in some E. chloroticus individuals. Our results highlight important considerations relating sea urchin gonad coloration to carotenoid content and as such will provide useful information for the future aquaculture and processing of these two species.     

Banana peel provides a new insight into improving gonad flavor in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

To our knowledge, little information is available on approaches to improving gonad flavor of sea urchins. Although sea urchins fed high content of glutamate and glycine perceived sweeter gonads than those fed high content of valine and methionine (Phillips et al. in Aquaculture 288:205–215, 2009), the problem of improving gonad quality has not been completely solved. Because of the high cost of glutamate and glycine, it is hard to move this finding from the laboratory to gonad production. In the present study, we found that gonad flavor of Strongylocentrotus intermedius fed banana peel was significantly better than that of individuals fed kelp or pumpkin (P < 0.001). However, banana peel did not significantly support gonad yield of sea urchins compared with kelp (P < 0.05). This novel finding provides a new insight into the gonad quality improvement in sea urchins. Further studies should be carried out to test our two suggested methods of banana peel application in sea urchin aquaculture.     

Ingestion, Absorption, and Gonad Production of Adult Strongylocentrotus franciscanus Fed Different Rations of a Prepared Diet

Abstract.— Feed costs are a major portion of aqua-culture operations. Accurate estimates of daily ration are vital to prevent overfeeding which results in wasted feed. poor water quality, underfeeding, and reduced growth. Understanding the relationship of ingestion rate and absorption efficiency of Strongylocentrotus franciscanus should improve the cost effectiveness of aquaculture of this candidate species. Adult S. franciscanus were collected from a subtidal area devoid of algae and fed two rations of an extruded diet for 62 d. Mean test diameter and whole weight of an initial sample were 91 ± 2 mm and 295 ± 18.4 g (mean ± SEM; N = 16). The two rations used were l-g dry feed/d or 3 g/d. An unfed control group was also maintained. Eight urchins per treatment showed significant differences in food ingestion rate, total organic absorption, gonad index, gut index, and moisture content of the gonad (P < 0.001). Food intake was greatest in the high ration treatment, while total organic absorption was greatest in the low ration treatment. The gonad index of S. franciscanus in the high food ration was significantly greater than the initial gonad index and was also greater than the index of animals in the low ration and unfed treatments. The gonad index of animals in the low food ration treatment was significantly greater than the index of the initial sample and the index of animals in the unfed treatment. The gut index of urchins in the high food ration treatment was significantly greater than initially and was also greater than the gut index for animals in the low ration and unfed treatments. The gut index for urchins in the unfed treatment was significantly less than the initial index. The moisture content of the gonad of urchins fed the prepared diet was significantly greater than the gonad moisture content of the initial sample or unfed group. Test diameter. whole animal weight, and gonad production efficiency (increase in g dry gonad weight/g dry feed intake) were not significantly different (P > 0.200). Histological examination of the gonads showed S. franciscanus in the two ration treatments developed from the spent to the growing or premature stage while the unfed controls lost nutritive tissue and contained only relict gametes or remained in the spent condition. The results suggest S. franciscanus from food-limited environments can be fed appropriate rations to control gonad production.     

Effects of dietary carotenoid on the gut and the gonad of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Gonad colour, determined by accumulated carotenoids, is an important marketability factor in sea urchin products. In this study, dietary carotenoids were fed to Paracentrotus lividus in prepared diets to test their effects on the sea urchin's gonad colour. All diets had the same basic content of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and energy. Four diets were enriched with: (I) all-trans β-carotene; (II) astaxanthin; (III) zeaxanthin/lutein/β-carotene; and (IV) capsanthin/zeaxanthin/lutein/cryptoxanthin/β-carotene. A fifth diet had Dunaliella bardawil algal powder containing all-trans and 9-cis β-carotene added, and a sixth one was a control diet with no added carotenoids. Sea urchins were fed the control diet (no pigments) for 4 weeks, then the six experimental diets for 8 weeks. Carotenoid concentration in the gut and gonad was determined by tri-dimensional photo-diode array high performance liquid chromatography. Four qualitative colour categories were established: brown, pale yellow, medium-orange, and mango-orange.Gonad development and test diameter increased equally in all diet treatments. Carotenoid profile and concentration in the gut were higher than in the gonad or in the feed. Total carotenoid concentration was four- to ten-fold greater in the gut than in the gonad, and carotenoid profile in the gut was different from that of the diet. Gut and gonad total carotenoids, β-carotene, and echinenone concentration were not dependent on total dietary carotenoid concentration. Total carotenoid and β-carotene concentration in the gut, and total carotenoid and echinenone concentration in the gonad were significantly dependent on dietary β-carotene concentration. The percentage of gonads with acceptable colour was positively correlated with dietary and gut β-carotene concentration. Carotenoids not normally contained in the diet of P. lividus (astaxanthin, capsanthin and capsorbin), did not accumulate in the gonad. Echinenone was found in all gut and gonad samples. Over 90% of the gonads from P. lividus fed Dunaliella algal powder diet developed the optimal mango-orange colour and this diet led to the greatest echinenone concentration.     

Effects of dietary fish oil and soya bean lecithin on gonad index,colour and biochemical composition of the purple sea urchin,Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson 1857)

The effects of increasing soya bean lecithin (SL) levels (0%, 2% and 4% of diet dry matter, DM) at two fish oil (FO) levels (0% and 3% DM) on gonad index, colour and biochemical composition of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were evaluated using a 3 × 2 factorial design with six iso‐nitrogenous formulated diets. All diets generated an increase in gonad index of more than 9%. Dietary FO had a positive effect on diet digestibility and accumulation of proteins in the gonad. Soy lecithin did not affect gonad composition, but improved its coloration, decreased gonad feed conversion ratio and increased gonad protein efficiency. There was a clear effect of diets on sea urchins gonad protein, ash and fatty acid content, in particular, decreasing the n‐3/n‐6 ratio associated with a decrease in 20:5n‐3 when SL levels increased. Nevertheless, 22:6n‐3 levels increased by week 12 in all treatments, and diets with SL increased the content of 20:4n‐6 in gonads. A decrease in bitter‐tasting amino acids such as histidine, cysteine, valine and methionine was observed in all treatments with a concomitant increase in isoleucine levels. We recommend using a diet containing 3% of FO and 2% of SL to increase food consumption, diet digestibility, improving marketable gonad colour and an increasing gonad n‐6 fatty acids and C22:6n‐3. In addition, the present study paves the way for future research in the use of FO and SL as an additive in diets for S. purpuratus towards the goal of increasing gonad size and nutritional quality.     

Long‐term Growth Study of Male and Female Green Sea Urchins,Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis,under Constant Light and Temperature Regime

Juvenile green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, with an initial mean test diameter of 9.5 mm (±1.2 SD) were held in the laboratory, in individual compartments and at constant temperatures (8.5 C) (n = 90) for a period of 99 wk. The animals were supplied with flow‐through sea water, and fed the Nofima sea urchin manufactured feed ad libitum. Growth, survival, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and gonad index (GI) of the sea urchins were monitored during this period. The mortality was 11% throughout the experimental period. The test diameter (TD) increased significantly with time, best described by a polynomial equation (TD = 0.8756 + 0.584Time − 0.002Time², R² = 0.995). Sex was included as dummy variable, but did not contribute significantly; hence, there were no differences in growth trajectories between males and females. The study showed there were no significant differences in body wet weight or FCR between males and females. However at the end of the experiment the female urchins had a significantly higher GI of 31.1% (±4.4), compared with the male urchins which had an average GI of 26.8% (±5.4). In conclusion, the present study showed that male and female green sea urchins have the same growth capacity and feed convention ratio but by the end of the experiment the gonad index was significantly higher in female than male urchins.     

Effects of biofilms as the main and as a supplementary food on the survival,somatic growth and gonad enhancement of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Cultured sea urchins of similar size (mean ± SE = 4.33 ± 0.48 g in body weight) were fed biofilms only, kelp (Laminaria japonica)+biofilms (biofilms as supplementary food) and a control diet of kelp only for 7 months in the laboratory. The somatic growth and the survival rate of the sea urchins were measured monthly, and the gonad wet weight and gonad color difference were determined at the end of the experiment. The results show that diet did not significantly affect survival rate (P > 0.05), but had highly significant effects on somatic growth from the first month to the end of the experiment (P < 0.01). Sea urchins fed biofilms only showed negligible or even negative somatic growth at the end of the experiment. Sea urchins on the kelp+biofilms grazed biofilms and consumed kelp during the experiment, and showed sustained greater increase in body weight than those of fed kelp only after the fourth month (P < 0.05). The biofilms may have supplied micronutrients. At the end of the experiment, gonad production of sea urchins fed biofilms was too little (0.11 ± 0.09 g) to identify sex and measure color. Gonad wet weights of males and females and gonad color fed kelp+biofilms did not differ significantly from those of fed kelp only (P > 0.05). However, sea urchins fed kelp+biofilms were more uniform in gonad color than those fed kelp only (P < 0.01), indicating biofilms supplementation could reduce the percentage of low-grade roe. This study therefore reveals the potential of biofilms as a supplementary food in the culture of sea urchins.     

Effect of formulated diets on the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paracentrotus lividus</Emphasis> gonad

Three formulated diets were tested to evaluate their effects on gonad quality in Paracentrotus lividus. Experiments were conducted in parallel by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) of Taranto (trial 1) and the University of Genoa (trial 2), in land-based systems. In both trials, somatic and gonadsomatic index (GSI) were measured and the nutritional profile of the sea urchins has determined significant variations in the biochemical composition. Sea urchins fed the experimental diets contained higher levels of nutrients (protein and lipid and carbohydrate) compared to wild sea urchins. However, total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially EPA and DHA, and the n-3/n-6 ratio were lower in urchins fed with formulated diets. In both trials, sea urchins fed with diet 2 (SABS) showed a similar profile with PUFAs higher than SAFAs and MUFAs, the highest UNS/SAT ratio, although the highest n3/n6 ratio was observed in the group fed diet 3 (CNR). Atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic indices showed the best values in sea urchins fed diet 2 in both trials.     

A comparison of three land-based containment systems for use in culturing green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Müller) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

Worldwide, most sea‐urchin populations are in decline. Future market demands will likely be met through aquaculture, which may consist of gonad enhancement of wild‐caught sea urchins. In this context, we examined three land‐based containment systems for suitability in maintaining commercial‐size green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). Mortality rate, gonad quantity, gonad quality (colour, brightness, firmness, texture) and cleaning efficiency associated with each containment system were the criteria for comparing the effectiveness of the systems (large raceways, small raceways and washtub tanks). After 6 weeks, urchins maintained in large raceways displayed significantly higher mortality rates than urchins maintained in either the small raceways or washtub tanks (mean±SD: 24.3±10.4%, 8.0±3.5% and 4.3±1.5% respectively). Significant differences in cleaning time were detected among the three systems with washtub tanks requiring significantly more cleaning time (0.11±0.02 min urchin^?1) than the other two systems and large raceways requiring significantly less cleaning time (0.06±0.02 min urchin^?1) than the other two systems. No significant differences in gonad characteristics were detected among the three containment systems. Because of the higher mortality rate in the large raceways and the increased cleaning time required for the washtub tanks, the small raceways were considered to be the best of the three systems tested.     

The use of stable isotope ratios δ13C and δ15N to track the incorporation of Ulva and other important dietary ingredients into the gonads of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla

In this study, we demonstrate how stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotope analysis can be used to estimate the allocation of specific dietary ingredients, incorporated into four artificially formulated feeds supplemented with varying amounts of dried seaweed Ulva armoricana (0, 50, 150 and 200 g/kg), to the production of gonads by Tripneustes gratilla over a 20‐week growth trial. Results indicate that U. armoricana is an important dietary ingredient for gonad production, accounting for an average of 37.33 ± 1.03% of the isotopic signal recorded for gonads at the end of the growth trial. This is significantly more than fish meal and soya, which only contributed an average of 11.40 ± 1.81 and 3.80 ± 0.09%, respectively, of the isotopic signal of the gonads. Maize and wheat each account for almost 25% of all the dietary ingredients used to formulate the feeds, but their relative contribution to gonad production only averaged 8.55 ± 0.58 and 3.80 ± 0.05%, respectively, among the diets. This indicates that, at least for gonad development, these ingredients may not be required at such high levels. These findings support previous data on the importance of Ulva in abalone and urchin diets, and demonstrate the value of stable isotope analysis for assessing the contribution of specific dietary ingredients in new feed formulations, particularly where growth of specific tissues is being investigated.     

Effect of Lipid Source and Concentration on Somatic Growth of Juvenile Green Sea Urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Supplying juvenile sea urchins with an abundant supply of resources and essential nutrients for growth will facilitate somatic growth and, hence, improve the success of the sea urchin aquaculture industry. Lipids are essential in physical processes such as membrane production and are a concentrated source of energy. This study, using prepared diets, tested the effects of lipid sources containing different major fatty acids (i.e., n‐3 and/or n‐6) (Part 1) and lipid concentration (i.e., 1, 3, 7, and 10%) (Part 2) on the somatic (i.e., test or shell) growth of two size cohorts (7.0‐ and 15.3‐mm average initial test diameter [TD]) of juvenile green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. The growth of the sea urchins fed prepared diets was compared to the growth of sea urchins fed a kelp reference diet, Laminaria longicruris. After both feeding trials, the kelp‐fed sea urchins had superior test growth and were more similar in physical appearance to wild sea urchins (i.e., test color, spine length, and gonad color). The sea urchins fed the prepared diets had pale test color, short, stubby spines, and large, pale‐colored gonads compared to wild sea urchins. The smaller cohort of sea urchins grew at a faster rate, but growth patterns for both cohorts were similar. The juveniles fed the prepared diets (in both feeding trials) had high initial growth rates that decreased after approximately 100 d compared to the kelp‐fed juveniles. Differences in test growth were not shown to be affected by sea urchin size (i.e., similar results for both cohorts) or by differences in dietary lipid sources (i.e., the presence of n‐3 and/or n‐6 fatty acids). However, the sea urchins fed diets with lower lipid concentration (≤3%) had larger average TDs than those fed diets with higher lipid concentrations (≥7%). Differences in test growth and physical appearance among those fed the prepared diets and kelp may have been because of nutritional deficiencies in the prepared diets.     

Protein and energy digestibility and gonad development of the European sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) fed algal and prepared diets during spring and fall

Protein and energy are two of the main limiting factors for sea urchin growth. However, the requirement of daily protein and energy to maximize gonadal production is still unknown. Paracentrotus lividus were fed three experimental diets: Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria conferta and a prepared diet for 2 months in the fall of 1999 and spring of 2000. Sea urchins from a laboratory‐cultured population of equal age, weight and test diameter were used. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC%) for protein and energy, using acid‐insoluble ash as a marker, were measured for all experimental diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients for protein was high (>75%) for all diets. Energy digestibility varied among the diets and was lowest for G. conferta (50–62%). The three diets contained varying digestible protein (DP) to digestible energy (DE) ratios of 25, 26 and 12 mg kJ^?1 for U. lactuca, G. conferta and the prepared diet respectively. Digestible protein intake was similar for all treatments, but DE intake was greater for sea urchins fed the prepared diet in both seasons. As a result, the gonad production was significantly higher for urchins fed the prepared diet, suggesting that energy was limiting in the algal diets. Paracentrotus lividus spawned during the spring experiment, resulting in protein loss in all treatments. Protein loss was lowest in the sea urchins fed the prepared diet. Enhanced gonadal growth and gamete development of P. lividus resulted from the higher dietary energy content of the prepared diet.