UV radiation evokes negative phototaxis and covering behavior in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

摘要: Intertidal and subtidal Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Muller) often hide among rocks or cover themselves with debris, including macroalgae, mussel shells, pebbles. Similar reactions in other species of sea urchins have been interpreted as a response to bright sunlight. This study examined the S. specifically ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In labo- ratory studies using artificial irradiation, exposed UVR (290 400 nm) pho- tosynthetically active (PAR, 700 sought shade covered signifi- cantly more frequently than those only PAR. outdoor aquaria, individuals were ambient solar that was filtered create 4 treatments (dark, PAR, PAR + UVA, UVA UVB) observed for 6 h total irradiance changed time day. Sea cov- ered significantly material when UVB all treatments, irradiance. The amount covering by (320 varied over course day, but typically less (295 320 nm). These alone held dark. did not differ ering from dark, regardless correlated sig- nificantly independently, does rule out multiple cues may cause response, it demonstrates droe- bachiensis seeks shelter covers itself UVR, primarily wavelengths com- bination UVB, presumably avoid UV-induced damage.