Swimming Speed Alteration in the Early Developmental Stages of Paracentrotus lividus Sea Urchin as Ecotoxicological Endpoint

Behavioral endpoints have been used for decades to assess chemical impacts at concentrations unlikely
to cause mortality. With recently developed techniques, it is possible to investigate the swimming
behavior of several organisms under laboratory conditions.
The aims of this study were: i) assessing for the first time the feasibility of swimming speed analysis of
the early developmental stage sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus by an automatic recording system ii)
investigating any Swimming Speed Alteration (SSA) on P. lividus early stages exposed to a chemical
reference; iii) identifying the most suitable stage for SSA test.
Results show that the swimming speed of all the developmental stages was easily recorded. The
swimming speed was inhibited as a function of toxicant concentration. Pluteus were the most appropriate
stage for evaluating SSA in P. lividus as ecotoxicological endpoint. Finally, swimming of sea urchin
early stages represents a sensitive endpoint to be considered in ecotoxicological investigations.