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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Effects of microplastics on the growth and behaviors of larval sea urchins heliocidaris crassispina
ClearIngestion of Microplastic Has Limited Impact on a Marine Larva
Laboratory experiments feeding polyethylene microspheres to sea urchin larvae found that ingestion rates scaled with concentration but that environmentally realistic levels had little effect on growth or survival. The study suggests that current ocean microplastic concentrations pose a limited threat to this marine invertebrate larva, though it calls for broader testing across species.
Physical and chemical threats posed by micro(nano)plastic to sea urchins
This review analyzed the physical and chemical threats that micro- and nanoplastics pose to sea urchins across their lifespan, examining polymer-specific effects on both adult organisms and early larval stages given sea urchins' key ecological role as benthic grazers.
Feeding history shapes food handling behaviors of larval urchin Heliocidaris crassispina
This study examined how feeding history affects the ability of sea urchin larvae to manipulate and capture food particles, finding that larvae raised under food-limited conditions had reduced feeding efficiency. The research contributes to understanding how environmental stressors including food quality changes from plastic pollution may affect the early life stages of marine invertebrates.
The adverse effects of virgin microplastics on the fertilization and larval development of sea urchins
Researchers tested the effects of virgin microplastics on the fertilization and larval development of a marine organism, finding adverse effects on both fertilization success and larval survival at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Microplastics impede larval urchin selective feeding
Researchers pre-exposed larval sea urchins to polystyrene microplastics and then tested their feeding ability, finding that prior exposure lengthened stomach filling time and impaired selective discrimination between algal food and plastic particles. These sub-lethal effects on feeding behavior could reduce post-settlement success in environments where food is limited.
Assessing the effect of microplastics on marine invertebrates: the consequence of exposure of sea urchin larvae to polystyrene microplastics
Researchers exposed sea urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus) to polystyrene microplastics derived from commercial disposable plates and assessed effects on fertilization, embryogenesis, and larval development, finding significant impairment of early developmental stages at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Commercially-derived Microplastics Affect Early Life Stages in Paracentrotus Lividus Sea Urchin
Commercially derived microplastics from everyday plastic products affected early life stages of Paracentrotus lividus sea urchins, reducing fertilization success and larval development rates, with chemical additives leaching from plastic contributing to toxicity beyond particle effects alone.
Impact of microplastics and ocean acidification on critical stages of sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) early development
Researchers investigated the combined effects of microplastic pollution and ocean acidification on sea urchin early development, finding that acidified conditions amplified microplastic toxicity, disrupting fertilization, embryo development, and larval growth in Paracentrotus lividus.
Combined effect of microplastics and global warming factors on early growth and development of the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus)
Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics, ocean acidification, and temperature increase on sea urchin larval development. Microplastics alone reduced larval growth by about 20%, but when combined with lowered pH, growth inhibition was significantly greater and morphological abnormalities appeared. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution can compound the effects of climate change stressors on marine organisms during their most vulnerable developmental stages.
Assessment of microplastic toxicity to embryonic development of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Researchers assessed the toxicity of both virgin and beach-stranded plastic pellets to sea urchin embryo development. The study found that chemical substances leaching from microplastics into surrounding water caused developmental abnormalities, indicating that microplastics can release harmful compounds that affect marine organisms even without direct ingestion.
Microplastic ingestion induces asymmetry and oxidative stress in larvae of the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni
Researchers exposed sea urchin (Pseudechinus huttoni) larvae to 1–5 µm microplastic spheres and found increased skeletal asymmetry and elevated reactive oxygen species, indicating that MP ingestion causes developmental disruption and oxidative stress during the sensitive larval stage.
How sea urchins face microplastics: Uptake, tissue distribution and immune system response
Sea urchins exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed particle uptake across multiple tissues (including coelom and gonads), dose-dependent changes in immune cell populations, and elevated oxidative stress, with smaller particles causing greater harm than larger ones.
Comparative analysis of microplastic content in water, sediments, and digestive traces of sea urchin Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778) on Untung Jawa Island and Tidung Island, Seribu Islands, Jakarta
Researchers compared microplastic levels in water, sediment, and the digestive tracts of sea urchins at two Indonesian island sites, finding microplastics across all compartments. Sea urchins appear to be useful indicators of microplastic contamination in coral reef ecosystems.
Accumulation of Microplastics in the Digestive Tract and Gonads and its Effects on Gonad Quality of Sea urchins Tripnesutes gratilla
Researchers used purposive sampling to analyze microplastic accumulation in the digestive tracts and gonads of sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla) from four beaches in Indonesia, correlating particle abundance with gonadal quality indicators. Sea urchins contained 233 particles per individual in digestive tracts and 205 in gonads, with higher microplastic burdens associated with lower gonadal quality including darker coloration and reduced gonadal index.
Effects of microplastics on the feeding rates of larvae of a coastal fish: direct consumption, trophic transfer, and effects on growth and survival
Researchers tested whether microplastics in seawater affect the feeding rates, growth, and survival of California Grunion fish larvae. They found that microplastics reduced feeding rates and demonstrated that trophic transfer of microplastics from zooplankton to larval fish occurs readily. The study suggests that microplastic pollution may impair early fish development by interfering with feeding behavior and introducing contaminants through the food chain.
Effects of microplastics on larval ingestion, survival, and development of sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota
Laboratory experiments showed that microplastic polystyrene particles of all tested sizes (1–60 micrometers) accumulate in the guts of sea cucumber larvae and reduce their survival, growth, and developmental progression. Particles of 10 micrometers were particularly harmful, accumulating in the stomach and proving difficult for larvae to expel, while larger particles (20–60 micrometers) caused developmental delays. These findings raise concerns for wild sea cucumber populations in contaminated waters and have direct implications for aquaculture hatcheries where larval survival is critical.
Microplastics do not increase toxicity of a hydrophobic organic chemical to marine plankton
Sea urchin larvae actively ingested polyethylene microplastics at rates comparable to natural food particles, but co-exposure with a hydrophobic organic contaminant did not increase toxicity compared to contaminant alone. The results suggest that at tested concentrations, microplastics do not significantly amplify the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants to marine plankton.
Microplastic ingestion and its effects οn sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: A field study in a coastal East Mediterranean environment
Researchers collected wild sea urchins from three coastal sites in the Ionian Sea with different levels of human activity and examined them for microplastic ingestion and biological stress markers. They found microplastics in sea urchins at all sites, with patterns matching sediment contamination, but most biomarkers showed no significant stress response. The exception was increased detoxification enzyme activity, suggesting the animals may be mounting a subtle biological response to ingested microplastics.
Effects of Microplastics on the Feeding Rates of Larvae of a Coastal Fish: Direct Consumption, Trophic Transfer, and Effects on Growth and Survival
Microplastics in seawater reduced the feeding rates of California grunion larvae and could be transferred from prey (copepods) to fish, indicating trophic transfer is possible. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution may impair fish growth and survival by reducing food intake in early life stages.
Size- and shape-dependent ingestion and acute toxicity of fragmented and spherical microplastics in the absence and presence of prey on two marine zooplankton
Researchers tested how the size and shape of microplastics affect their toxicity to tiny marine animals called zooplankton. Smaller particles were swallowed more often, but irregularly shaped fragments were more toxic than smooth spheres of similar size. When natural food was present, the animals ate fewer microplastics, suggesting that real-world toxicity depends on both particle characteristics and environmental conditions.
Interactive effects between sinking polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics deriving from water bottles and a benthic grazer
Sea urchins exposed to PET microplastics in their diet efficiently passed the particles through their digestive tract without significant tissue damage or oxidative stress, and their digestion slightly altered the surface structure of PET particles. The study suggests sea urchins are relatively resilient to PET microplastic exposure but may contribute to plastic fragmentation on the seafloor through their grazing activity.
Evaluation of anthropogenic particles in Arbacia lixula sea urchins and their surrounding environments: seawater and coastal sediments
Researchers found anthropogenic particles (microplastics) in both gastrointestinal tracts and gonads of Arbacia lixula sea urchins, as well as in surrounding coastal sediment and seawater at La Palma Island, confirming bioaccumulation in this ecologically important species.
Effect of biodegradable polymers upon grazing activity of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lmk) revealed by morphological, histological and molecular analyses
Researchers tested the effects of five types of biodegradable plastic microparticles on adult sea urchins, examining their reproductive tissues, embryo development, and gene expression. They found that exposure to these supposedly eco-friendly plastics caused developmental malformations in embryos and altered the expression of genes involved in stress response and skeletal development. The study raises concerns that biodegradable plastics may not be as harmless to marine organisms as often assumed.
Mild toxicity of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate microplastics in Paracentrotus lividus early life stages
Sea urchin embryos showed little sensitivity to polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate microplastics, but sperm exposed to these particles showed decreased fertilization success and larvae ingested one polymer type more readily than the other. The findings suggest reproductive effects may occur at the sperm stage before embryo development begins.