Abstract
The present study was conducted to provide biometric data of the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus along the Tunisian coastline where thirteen marine localities were selected randomly. A total of 653 individuals were collected and their metric and weight measurements were recorded. The size distribution of the different samples was determined and relative growth expressions were deduced. Data analysis showed that all localities’ samples of the wild population were dominated by one-size class, except Port Prince and Haouaria. Interestingly, only diameter-height relationships (D-H) were different between the geographical localities. Diameter-weight relationships (D-TW and D-TWTE) revealed a significant negative growth for all the localities, with the exception of Gammarth which showed positive growth for total weight (D-TW). Moreover, the multivariable analysis revealed divergences and/or similarities between metric and weight variables. Altogether, data highlights the inter-population discrimination with respect to geographic localization and clear segregation between the northern and the eastern localities demonstrated the plasticity of the species.
Highlights
Nowadays, edible species of echinoids have a great economic interest due to the development of fishing activities (Ourens et al 2015)
Sea urchin samples from Tabarka, Ras Angela, Sounine, Gammarth, Port Prince, Haouaria, Kelibia, Maamoura and Hergla were specified by specimens with an average diameter D ≥ 41.9 mm
On rock substrates, scattered with photophilic algae, P. lividus is frequently collected by amateur and professional
Summary
Edible species of echinoids have a great economic interest due to the development of fishing activities (Ourens et al 2015). The purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) is a case study. In the Mediterranean, P. lividus is an emblematic species widely distributed along the Mediterranean and the northeastern Atlantic coasts. Species are encountered mainly in rocky shores and seagrass meadows (Tomas et al 2004). It is present from the intertidal zone up to - 80 m and its density decreases with depth (Lecchini et al 2002). Species have an important ecological role in coastal marine ecosystems and in controlling benthic algal communities
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