Blue-Green Algae as Stimulating and Attractive Feeding Substrates for a Mediterranean Commercial Sea Urchin Species, Paracentrotus lividus

Sea urchins rely on chemical senses to localize suitable food resources, therefore representing model species for chemosensory studies. In the present study, we investigated sensitivity of Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, namely “Klamath”, and a few amino acids chosen from biochemical composition same algae. To this end, used “urchinogram” method, which estimates movement rate in response chemicals. Our results showed that Klamath represents strong stimulus P. as it elicits an overall spines, pedicellariae, tube feet coupled, some cases, coordinated locomotion animals. also displayed sensitivity, even if lesser extent, leucine, threonine, arginine, proline, thus implying contained may account, at least part, stimulating effects exerted by whole Additionally, our show Klamath, well spirulina, another with high nutritional value, is very attractive species. These findings gain further importance considering potential profit echinoderms commercial consumers their growing role aquaculture. spirulina combine profiles abilities be considered valuable feed supplements