Without sea urchins, coral reefs can become thick with macroalgae, which can restrict the growth of corals. With the importance of coral reefs for coastal defense and preservation of biodiversity, it is critical to protect the sea urchin population.
Syracuse University college student Andrew Moura (right) and former Villanova University undergraduate student Jack Cucchiara check salinity levels amongst the 10 different groups of sea urchins at Friday Harbor Laboratories. Credit: Syracuse University, University of Washington
As international climate modification causes weather extremes varying from heat waves and dry spells to heavy rains and flooding, the large quantities of freshwater putting into nearshore ecosystems are changing habitats. A group of biologists, led by Austin Garner, assistant teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, studied the effects of low salinity and how it modifies sea urchins ability to grip and move within their habitat. Garner, who is a member of Syracuse Universitys BioInspired Institute, studies how animals connect to surface areas in variable environments from the point of view of both the life and physical sciences.
The teams study, just recently released in the Journal of Experimental Biology, looked for to understand how sea urchin populations will be impacted by future extreme weather events.
” While numerous marine animals can control the amount of water and salts in their bodies, sea urchins are not as effective at this,” states Garner. “As a result, they tend to be restricted to a narrow variety of salinity levels. Torrential rainfall can cause massive amounts of freshwater to be disposed into the ocean along the shoreline causing fast decreases in the concentration of salt in seawater.”
The groups research was conducted at the University of Washingtons Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL). The studys lead author, Andrew Moura, who is a graduate student in Garners laboratory at Syracuse, took a trip to FHL along with Garner and researchers from Villanova University to conduct explores live green sea urchins. They worked along with previous FHL postdoctoral scholar Carla Narvaez, who is now an assistant teacher of biology at Rhode Island College, and Villanova University teachers Alyssa Stark and Michael Russell.
Syracuse University biology professor Austin Garner holding a sea urchin. Credit: Syracuse University
At FHL, the scientists separated sea urchins into 10 groups based on varying salinity levels within each tank, from normal to really low salt material. Among each group, they checked metrics consisting of righting reaction (the ability for sea urchins to flip themselves over), mobility (speed from one point to another), and adhesion (force at which their tube feet remove from a surface). In Garners lab at Syracuse, he and Moura finished information analysis to compare each metric.
The group discovered that sea urchin righting action, motion, and adhesive capability were all adversely affected by low salinity conditions. Interestingly, however, sea urchin adhesive ability was not significantly affected till extremely low salinity levels, suggesting that sea urchins might be able to remain connected in difficult nearshore ecological conditions although activities that require greater coordination of tube feet (righting and motion) may not be possible.
” When we see this decrease in efficiency under very low salinity, we might start seeing shifts in where sea urchins might be living as a consequence of their inability to remain stuck in particular areas that experience low salinity,” discusses Moura. “That might alter how much sea urchin grazing is happening and could have profound environment results.”
Their work provides critical information that enhances scientists ability to anticipate how essential animals like sea urchins will fare in an altering world. The adhesion principles Garner and his team are checking out might also can be found in convenient for human-designed adhesive materials– work that lines up with the Syracuse University BioInspired Institutes mission of addressing international obstacles through ingenious research.
” If we can find out the basic concepts and molecular systems that enable sea urchins to secrete a long-term adhesive and utilize it for momentary attachment, we might harness that power into the design challenges or our adhesives today,” states Garner. “Imagine being able to have an adhesive that is otherwise irreversible, but then you include another component, and it simplifies and you can go stick it again somewhere else. Its a best example of how biology can be utilized to enhance the everyday products around us.”
Referral: “Hyposalinity reduces coordination and adhesion of sea urchin tube feet” by Andrew J. Moura, Austin M. Garner, Carla A. Narvaez, Jack P. Cucchiara, Alyssa Y. Stark and Michael P. Russell, 30 June 2023, Journal of Experimental Biology.DOI: 10.1242/ jeb.245750.
Syracuse University biologists co-authored a research study exploring how sea urchin adhesive abilities are affected by differing levels of water salinity. Credit: Syracuse University
Researchers from Syracuse University are examining the results of excess freshwater, resulting from environment change-driven occurrences like magnified heavy rains, on the survival of sea urchins.
When navigating through a heavy rainstorm, maintaining grip on the roadway is necessary. Need to your cars tires be lacking in tread, youll discover yourself moving and skidding, not able to manage the vehicle securely. A parallel can be drawn with sea urchins residing in nearshore, shallow water environments during downpours. Such rainstorms lead to a modification in the oceans salt concentration, leading to lower salinity levels.
This minor shift in salinity can have an extensive impact on sea urchins capability to firmly affix their tube feet to the surface areas around them, comparable to the method tires require to grip the road. For these little, spiky marine animals, this isnt simply a trouble but a matter of survival. Their adhesive structures enable them to move in the middle of the wave-swept rocks near the coast, and without this ability, their very lives are at danger.
Syracuse University biologists co-authored a study checking out how sea urchin adhesive abilities are impacted by differing levels of water salinity.
A group of biologists, led by Austin Garner, assistant teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, studied the impacts of low salinity and how it changes sea urchins capability to grip and relocation within their habitat. The research studys lead author, Andrew Moura, who is a graduate student in Garners laboratory at Syracuse, took a trip to FHL along with Garner and researchers from Villanova University to carry out experiments with live green sea urchins. At FHL, the scientists separated sea urchins into 10 groups based on varying salinity levels within each tank, from regular to very low salt content. Among each group, they checked metrics including righting action (the capability for sea urchins to flip themselves over), locomotion (speed from one point to another), and adhesion (force at which their tube feet separate from a surface).” If we can discover the essential concepts and molecular systems that permit sea urchins to produce a permanent adhesive and use it for short-term accessory, we might harness that power into the design challenges or our adhesives today,” says Garner.