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<p>In sea urchins, lipofuscin-like pigments (LLPs) occasionally present in the gonads have been associated with the natural process of gametogenesis and environmental stress (such as marine pollution). For this reason, they have been used as biomarkers to assess animal health status. In this study, we analyzed 90 specimens of <i>Echinometra lucunter</i> sampled during summer 2023 on two beaches located on the tropical coast of Brazil (Paraíba state, 7°S). The gonads of all specimens were extracted for histological routine. Histological analyses revealed that 58.8% of the organisms contained LLPs in their gonadal tissue. Males and females presented similar mean prevalences of LLPs (73–76%) at Praia do Cabo Branco, and males had a much higher prevalence than females at Praia de Tambaba (68 and 33.4%, respectively). Despite having controversial causes, changes like this can be harmful to the reproduction of these organisms. Thus, this study presents a descriptive and initial characterization of these pigments in the gonadal tissue of males and females for populations in the Western Atlantic, in addition it is the first record of this alteration in <i>Echinometra lucunter</i>, reinforcing the importance of further monitoring and analysis of the populations.</p>

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Lipofuscin-like pigments in gonads of the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) on the coast of Northeast Brazil (7°S)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月27日

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  • Manoel Celestino de Pontes Filho,
  • Jéssica Prata,
  • Miodeli Nogueira Júnior

摘要

In sea urchins, lipofuscin-like pigments (LLPs) occasionally present in the gonads have been associated with the natural process of gametogenesis and environmental stress (such as marine pollution). For this reason, they have been used as biomarkers to assess animal health status. In this study, we analyzed 90 specimens of Echinometra lucunter sampled during summer 2023 on two beaches located on the tropical coast of Brazil (Paraíba state, 7°S). The gonads of all specimens were extracted for histological routine. Histological analyses revealed that 58.8% of the organisms contained LLPs in their gonadal tissue. Males and females presented similar mean prevalences of LLPs (73–76%) at Praia do Cabo Branco, and males had a much higher prevalence than females at Praia de Tambaba (68 and 33.4%, respectively). Despite having controversial causes, changes like this can be harmful to the reproduction of these organisms. Thus, this study presents a descriptive and initial characterization of these pigments in the gonadal tissue of males and females for populations in the Western Atlantic, in addition it is the first record of this alteration in Echinometra lucunter, reinforcing the importance of further monitoring and analysis of the populations.