Physical and chemical tagging methods for the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) is an important economic resource in Europe, but intense harvesting has led to the collapse of several natural populations. Echinoculture, associated with restocking and stock enhancement practices, alternative this problem. In these procedures, reliable individual identification through tagging a valuable source information. However, very few studies address effect methods on P. marine invertebrates still presents challenges: decreased growth, high mortality rates low tag retention rates. Under laboratory conditions, present study evaluated effectiveness three (passive integrated transponders [PIT-tags], coded wire tags [CWTs] calcein) wild for 60 days terms total wet weight, weight gain (mg ind.−1 day−1), survival retention. final was significantly higher untagged (control) group than PIT-tagged group. Survival rate 100% PIT-tag, calcein control groups, 97% CWT Tag differed according method: group, 76.7% PIT-tag 38.0%