Multiple factors explain the covering behaviour in the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Abstract

Although numerous species of sea urchins often cover themselves with small rocks, shells and algal fragments, the function of this covering behaviour is poorly understood. Diving observations showed that the degree to which the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis covers itself in the field decreases with size. We performed laboratory experiments to examine how the sea urchin's covering behaviour is affected by the presence of predators, sea urchin size, wave surge, contact with moving algae blades and sunlight. The presence of two common sea urchin predators did not influence the degree to which sea urchins covered themselves. Covering responses of sea urchins that were exposed to a strong wave surge and sweeping algal blades were significantly greater than those of individuals that were maintained under still water conditions. The degree to which sea urchins covered themselves in the laboratory also tended to decrease with increasing size. Juveniles showed stronger covering responses than adults, possibly because they are more vulnerable to dislodgement and predation. We found that UV light stimulated a covering response, whereas UV-filtered sunlight and darkness did not, although the response to UV light was much weaker than that to waves and algal movement. Our observations suggest that the covering behaviour of S. droebachiensis has evolved as an adaptation to protect it from mechanical injuries associated with abrasion and dislodgement, and to a lesser extent as a defence against UV radiation. The covering behaviour may reduce the sea urchin's ability to move and this would limit its ability to forage and to flee from predators. In this case, the covering behaviour may have evolved as a trade-off between locomotion and limiting environmental stresses.