Marine biofilms play a crucial role in the settlement response and success of multiple marine invertebrates. However, the specific microbial communities influencing post-larval settlement, particularly in sea urchins, remain understudied. This research focuses on characterizing the microbial composition of biofilms across different habitats and observing their effect on the settlement preference of Echinometra viridis, also known as the reef sea urchin.
Artificial settlement substrates (ceramic plates) will be installed on the benthic structure to allow natural biofilm colonization. The microbial composition and structure of the collected biofilms will be examined and described via molecular techniques (16S rRNA sequences). Subsequently, a post-settlement experiment with laboratory-reared larvae from E. viridis will be performed to document responses to the biofilms derived from three habitats 1) sea urchin dominated, 2) macroalgae dominated (Dictyota spp.), and 3) algal turf dominated. The percentage of settlers between the individual treatments and controls will be compared to determine if the microbial composition of the biofilms influences post-larval settlement preferences of the sea urchin E. viridis.
Settlement studies are important to elucidate patterns of community composition. Understanding the settlement process of E. viridis larvae and how it relates to biofilm-mediated cues can provide insights about post-settlement preferences and potentially benthic community succession.
This experimental approach will test the suitability of the habitats for sea urchin settlement while shedding light on the understudied microbial communities in marine environments in Puerto Rico. More importantly, this interdisciplinary study intersects the fields of marine ecology, microbiology, and aquaculture, offering valuable insights into the settlement dynamics of sea urchins and the ecological roles of biofilms.
KEYWORDS: aquaculture, sea urchins, settlement, biofilm, experimental ecology