Florencia Di Marco, Sebastian Giaccomino, Laura López Greco, Ximena González Pisani

External malformations in the green sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii (Blainville, 1825) in populations from Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentina

Introduction

External malformations in the green sea urchin arbacia dufresnii (blainville, 1825) in populations from golfo nuevo, patagonia, argentina. External malformations in green sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii from Patagonia, Argentina, documented. Anomalies serve as biomarkers for environmental stress, pollution, and habitat health, crucial for conservation.

Abstract

Malformations in sea urchins can manifest in various forms, often influenced by environmental and biological factors. Adult Arbacia dufresnii (Blainville, 1825) exhibit pentaradial symmetry, spines in the ambulacral areas, absence of spines in the interambulacral areas, and a rhomboidal periproct composed of four ossicles. This report aims to document the presence of external malformations in the green sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii in the population of Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentina (42°42′ S 64°30′ W). A total of 319 specimens were collected, out of which 5 showed malformations. The malformation include: absence of pentaradial symmetry, spines in the interambulacral areas, and non-rhomboidal periprocts covered by three supraanal plates. These findings suggest the need for monitoring external malformations in populations of A. dufresnii and other Echinoidea, as they could provide crucial information abouth the health and status of these populations. Malformations may serve as biomarkers of environmental stress, pollution, or habitat condition changes, which is essential for effective conservation measures.

Review

This report, "External malformations in the green sea urchin *Arbacia dufresnii* (Blainville, 1825) in populations from Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentina," presents a timely and important descriptive study on an under-reported aspect of echinoderm biology. Documenting morphological abnormalities in marine invertebrates can offer valuable insights into ecosystem health and environmental pressures, making this contribution particularly relevant to marine ecology and conservation. The authors meticulously describe the occurrence of external malformations in *A. dufresnii* from a specific Patagonian population, based on the examination of 319 collected specimens. The strength of this report lies in its clear and concise documentation of observed anomalies. The abstract outlines three distinct types of malformations: deviations from pentaradial symmetry, the presence of spines in typically spineless interambulacral areas, and a non-rhomboidal periproct covered by three supraanal plates, contrasting with the species' typical four-ossicle rhomboidal structure. While only 5 out of 319 specimens exhibited these deformities, their presence is significant. These observations provide foundational data, establishing a baseline for future comparative studies and highlighting the potential of such malformations to serve as readily observable biomarkers. This descriptive report effectively sets the stage for future, more in-depth investigations. The abstract rightly emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of *A. dufresnii* and other echinoid populations. Although this study identifies the malformations, it does not delve into their potential etiologies (e.g., genetic factors, specific pollutants, or developmental stressors). However, by clearly documenting these abnormalities, the authors provide a critical starting point for subsequent research aimed at correlating malformation prevalence with specific environmental parameters, thereby strengthening their utility as indicators of environmental stress or habitat degradation. This report is a valuable initial contribution to understanding the health status of this important sea urchin species.

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