The effects of gymnodinium breve lysate on the larval development of the sea urchin lytechinus variegatus

Abstract

Gymnodinium breve Davis, the Florida red tide organism, was obtained in unialgal culture and lysed by adjusting the pH to 4.0 and readjusting it to 8.3. The lysate was crude filtered and its effects upon the larval development of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus investigated. Sperm motility, fertilizability of the egg, and morphological development through blastula stage were unaffected. High mortality and various abnormalities were noted for gastrula and pluteus stages. Results suggest that the toxins may interfere with normal potassium flux and/or respiration in the embryos.

Key words:

• Gymnodinium breve
• red tide
• sea urchin
• toxin