Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 575-582 2019 DOI: 10.22092/ijfs.2018.116671 First distribution record of regular echinoids (Echinodermata; Echinoidea) from Chennai Coast, South India Radhika Rajasree S.R.1*; Gobala Krishnan M.1; Karthih M.G.1; Aranganathan L.1 Received: May 2017 Accepted: July 2017 1-Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600119, Tamilnadu, India. *Corresponding author's Email: [email protected] Keywords: Sea urchin, Taxonomy, Molecular phylogeny, South India Introduction number of regular sea urchin species Sea urchins have recently been such as Salmaciella oligopora, attracting considerable research interest Astropyga radiata and Prinocidaris as sources of a number of highly baculosa along the continental shelf of valuable bioactive compounds that Chennai, Kovalam and Marakkanam possess antitumour, antiviral, coasts, Tamilnadu, South India. Among Downloaded from jifro.ir at 4:21 +0330 on Monday September 27th 2021 antimicrobial and anticoagulant these S.oligopora species has been properties that hold great promise for reported for the first time from Indian use in pharmacological applications waters.We identified and examined the (Ryoyama, 1974; Wardlaw and Unkles, morphological features of S.oligopora 1978; Okigbo et al., 2008). This and conducted molecular identification necessitated a thorough stock (18S ribosomal gene sequence). assessment study of regular echinoids in Indian coastal waters to promote Materials and methods viable culture practices. The Indian Sample collection and identification coastal waters harbour over 50 species The live specimens of sea urchin of sea urchins of which 14 have been species S.oligopora, A.radiata and P. found to be edible (James, 1983; baculosa were collected using mini Kaliaperumal and James, 1993). In this trawl nets with mesh size of 50mm at paper, an attempt has been made to depths of 10–45m from three areas provide an updated systematic account along the Chennai-Pondichery Coast, and distribution status which includes South East Coast of India viz., Kovalam the first record in Indian seas of a (12.°48’37.61’N,80°53’48.57.′E) 576 Radhika Rajasree et al., First distribution record of regular echinoids… Marakkanam (12°5'16.25"N DNA amplification and sequencing 80°15'20.80"E) and Pondicherry Genomic DNA was extracted from the (11°46'23.38’N 79°57'26.86’E) (Fig. gonadal tissue of the specimens by the 1). The live animals were stocked in Phenol Chloroform method (CAGL plastic containers filled with aerated standardized protocol for fish tissue seawater and were transported to the extraction and Quiagen kit (Anup et al., Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, 2014). Polymerase chain reaction Centre for Ocean Research, (PCR) for amplification of the partial Sathyabama Institute of Science and 18S rRNA gene was performed using a Technology, Chennai. In the laboratory, test sample along with positive and the specimens were photographed using negative control (Forward primer: Nikon (D5300) and the specimens were 5'-CAGCAGCCGCGGTAATTCC-3' washed with 0.5% Ampicillin solution and Reverse primer: to remove pathogenic bacteria before 5'-CCCGTGTTGAGTCAAATTAAGC-3'). immersing in UV- sterilized filtered Sequencing of the amplified product sea water stocked in closed glass was done (both forward & reverse aquarium tanks of 10L capacity. The direction) following the CAGL- animals were fed ad libitum with green standardized protocol using Genetic macro algae Chaetomorpha antennina, Analyzer ABI-3500. Additionally, Ulva rigida and Enteromorpha sp. The another combination of 18S rRNA sea urchin specimens were identified primers was tested and comparative based on the descriptions of Mortensen sequence analysis was done for (1943) and Clark (1916). The important probable species identification. morphological characters such as oral test and aboral view, morphometric Molecular analyses measurements of test and spine, The phylogenetic tree was drawn using Downloaded from jifro.ir at 4:21 +0330 on Monday September 27th 2021 colouration, genital plates etc., were the Maximum Likelihood (ML) photographed with a fully automated method. For the resulting tree and Inverted Fluorescence microscope random resampling of the sequences, (Leica DM16000B) and automated bootstrapping method was performed. stereo zoom microscope (Leica The phylogenetic tree representing a M205A). The skeleton samples were consensus of 1000 trees was obtained. later dried in open air and zooidal Similarities were calculated from partial measurements as well as skeletal parts 18S rDNA sequences of were photographed using Field Temnopleuridae family, with the Emission Scanning Electron exclusion of ambiguous nucleotides Microscope (FESEM-SUPRA 55- using MEGA ver 7.0 (Tamura and CARL ZEISS, GERMANY) available Stecher, 2016). in the Centre for Nano Science and Nanotechnology, Sathyabama Institute Results and discussion of Science and Technology, India. Taxonomy Phylum Echinodermata Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 2019 577 Class Echinoidea Leske, 1778 Subclass Euechinoidea Bronn, 1860 S.oligopora (H.L. Clark, 1916) Order Camarodonta Jackson, 1912 Description Infraorder Echinidea Kroh and Smith, Test is small in size, slightly pale brown 2010 with olive green tinge (Fig. 2A) strong, Family Temnopleuridae A. Agassiz, hemispherical or discoid in shape and a 1872 distinctly flattened ventral side (Fig. Genus Salmaciella Mortensen, 1942 2B). The margin of oral side slightly Salmaciella oligopora (H.L. Clark, sunken towards the peristome (Fig. 3C). 1916; Mortensen, 1942) Five genital plates have developed as madreporites sites. Ambulacrum almost Key features of family Temnopleuridae half as broad as interambulacrum (Fig. A. Agassiz, 1872 3F). The margin of Interambulacral Test not sculptured (or rarely so) but plates was formed as a zig–zag line on with pits on horizontal sutures or at the interracial suture (Fig. 3E). The angles of coronal plates; latter united by number of ambulacral plates in a dowelling. Tubercles usually column is from 45 to 56. crenulated; test with distinct pits, troughs or pores the angles of the Size sutures are extensively sculptured. Horizontal test diameter, 23.4- 40.1 mm; test height, 10.1-13.2 mm; Key to the genus of Salmaciella peristome, 7.1-11.2 mm. Mortensen, 1942 Sub conical test: Anal opening Spine and colour eccentrically arranged towards In S.oligopora the primary spines reach Downloaded from jifro.ir at 4:21 +0330 on Monday September 27th 2021 periproctal edge, ambulacral plates up to a length of 0.3–1.3cm. The long reduced on alternate plates aborally, ambital spines were widened distally very distinctive angular plates on the with distinct shovel like ends (Fig. 3A oral side. The primary spines are & 3B). The miliary spines and banded in dark and light greenish pedicellariae are white, the secondary tints.Test greyish brown spines have alternate white and maroon ......................................... S.erythracis bands. Equatorial spines short in size, widened distally with distinct ends. Spine have Biology bands of white with maroon, brown and This species occurs on the continental light olive. Test: color pale fawn to shelf along the upper limit of the light olive green…………….......S. intertidal zone. This specimen has been oligopora selected as the holotype. This species (Clark and Courtman-Stock, 1976; walks rapidly on its oral spines and can Schultz, 2010) travel 42cm in one minute (Miskelly, 2002). 578 Radhika Rajasree et al., First distribution record of regular echinoids… Distribution the interambulacral plates (Fig. 2E). Australia (Queensland), New South Periproct flat or low conical. Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia and Color Philippines. Southeast coast of India Colour varies from red to black, but the (Chennai coast). red cross is always clearly visible. Taxonomy Spine Phylum Echinodermata Red, orange band with spine (Fig. Class Echinoidea Leske, 1778 2D), Primary spines black, finely ridged Order Diadematoida and long, easily breakable, filled with Family Diadematidae Gray, 185 loose mesh work. Genus Astropyga Gray, 1825 Astropyga radiata Leske, 1778 Biology Key features of family Diadematidae A.radiata has been observed in shallow peters, 1855 sea grass beds, sandy shelves (De Beer, Spine usually hollow, long, cylindrical, 1990). In the coral region just below the thin and breakable, with a finely thorny low tide level on the shallow reef or ridged surface. Peristome is without (Herring, 1972). plates and with soft skin.Test often somewhat flattened, rather flexible, Distribution sometimes rigid. Well–known tropical Indo west central pacific (including the Red Sea) species Genus Astropyga Gray, 1825 (Rowe and Gates, 1995; Vanden Description Berghe, 2000), south east coast of Genital plates conspicuously elongated India. Downloaded from jifro.ir at 4:21 +0330 on Monday September 27th 2021 into the interambulacra between the aborally bulging ambulacra, test very Taxonomy much flexible. Phylum Echinodermata Class Echinoidea Leske, 1778 Astropyga radiata Leske, 1778 Subclass Cidaroidea Taxonomic description Order Cidaroida Test diameter is between 110mm- Family Cidaridae Gray, 1825 125mm, flattened or slightly concave Genus Prionocidaris A. Agassiz, 1863 on the aboral side. Test with intense red Prionocidaris baculosa (Lamarck, bands bordered by fluorescent blue 1816) spots (Fig. 2C); anus red-brown with intermittent whitish red spots. The Key features of family Cidaridae Gray,